Anglian Water’s apology for not acting quickly enough on sewerage spills has been described as “too little, too late” by East Cambridgeshire Liberal Democrats. 

Charlotte Cane, who is also the party’s parliamentary candidate, has also called for the water company to be “completely reformed from top to bottom”. 

Water UK, which represents the country’s water and wastewater companies, issued the apology on behalf of its members, which includes Anglian Water.  

It also announced a major £10bn transformation programme described as “the biggest modernisation of sewers since the Victorian era”.  

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In response, Ms Cane said: “This announcement is too little too late after years of putting public health at risk and large-scale environmental damage, which has previously been arrogantly dismissed by the water industry.    

“This apology means nothing unless the firm is completely reformed from top to bottom.   

“Protecting the environment should be more important than making overseas investors rich. 

“Sadly, Anglian Water still has their priorities all wrong.”   

She added Lucy Frazer, MP for South East Cambridgeshire, and Stephen Barclay, the MP for North East Cambridgeshire also “owe people an apology”. 

Ely Standard: Charlotte Cane, of the East Cambridgeshire Liberal Democrats.Charlotte Cane, of the East Cambridgeshire Liberal Democrats. (Image: Charlotte Cane)

Ms Cane said: “To add insult to injury, [both] have spent recent years voting down tougher action on polluting water firms.” 

To reduce spills into rivers and seas, Water UK says the programme will be the largest ever investment made into storm overflows.  

These support the sewerage system when it is at risk of being overwhelmed, for example during heavy downpours when there is a lot of rainfall in a short space of time.  

Alongside the apology, an Anglian Water spokesperson said: “We know we all need to act faster to address storm overflows. 

“To our customers, we’re sorry.  

“We share your aspirations that our rivers should be beautiful places, rich in nature, that can be enjoyed, and we are determined to play our role in making that a reality.”  

There has also been criticism that customers’ bills will increase to pay for the work. 

Anglian Water has since clarified: “The figure is likely to be around £11-12 a year - but we won’t reach that level until 2030.” 

Lucy Frazer, MP for South East Cambridgeshire, said: "It is wrong for water companies to be responsible for environmental damage and poor performance but not face any penalties.

“In recent years, I have voted for numerous statutory measures to address this, including in the Government’s Environment Act 2021, which gave Ofwat powers to change water company licences so that they prevent offending or underperforming companies from paying their shareholders.

“I also support the Government’s proposal to raise the overall cap on fines from its current amount of £250,000 to £25 million, £250 million or unlimited, which has just been through the consultation stage.”

The office of Steve Barclay MP has been approached for comment.