Thames Water will appear in a joint hearing following a claim over untreated sewage.

The claim relates to allegedly misleading regulators regarding the number of discharges of untreated sewage made into rivers, lakes, coastal areas, and other waterways.

This is argued to have caused damage to the environment with the business being the last of the six UK water companies to have a legal claim issued against it over this issue.

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Witney Gazette: Thames Water are one of the six UK water companies in question.Thames Water are one of the six UK water companies in question. (Image: PA)

The claim is jointly case managed with five other claims already issued by Professor Roberts against Severn Trent Water, Northumbrian Water, United Utilities, Anglian Water and Yorkshire Water.

All six Collective Proceedings Orders applications will be heard together by the Competition Appeal Tribunal.

Thames Water supplies services to the Greater London area and parts of Southwest and Southeast England.

The case against this company is being brought on behalf of more than 11 million household customers and is estimated to be worth at least £159.1 million if successful.

Anyone who has paid a water bill from Thames Water from April 2020 may be entitled to compensation if the case is successful.

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The legal action claims that these water companies have each abused their dominant market position and overcharged consumers as a result.

The number of pollution incidents a company reports to the Environment Agency and Ofwat is a key factor in determining the price the company can charge its customers.

The claims argue that customers have been overcharged as a result of the companies’ underreporting.

Combined, the claims are expected to lead to compensation payments for millions of customers worth over £800 million, if successful.

Professor Carolyn Roberts said: “In England and Wales there is growing anger about the state in which sewage discharges leave our rivers and beaches.

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Witney Gazette: The claim has been issued by Professor Roberts.The claim has been issued by Professor Roberts. (Image: Thames Water)

“The latest Environment Agency data shows that for 2023 Water Companies have doubled their sewage discharges.

“I hope the legal claims I am bringing on behalf of millions of customers, which now include Thames Water customers, play a part in bringing desperately needed change in the water industry.

“Customers have been, and continue to be, overcharged, and England’s waterways continue to be polluted.

"It is imperative that the millions of billpayers impacted by the water companies’ sewage pollution and alleged overcharging are properly compensated.”

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Witney Gazette: Customers could receive compensation depending on whether the claim is successful. Customers could receive compensation depending on whether the claim is successful. (Image: PA Media)

The next major step is a joint CPO hearing starting on Monday, September 23 to last up to five days, with an additional week in reserve in January 2025 if needed.

A spokeswoman for Thames Water said: “Thames Water is aware of the claims brought against it and other water and sewerage companies by Professor Roberts.

“Thames Water will defend the claim robustly.”

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