This site uses the UK Government AccessKeys system
|
|
What's new | Publications | Media centre | Price review | FAQs Update alerts | Consumer issues | Site map | Competition | Contact us |
| |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Media centre
The Serious Fraud Office (SFO) has started an investigation into Severn Trent Water. Ofwat had previously alerted the SFO to its concerns about the reliability of certain regulatory information provided to it by Severn Trent Water. Ofwat has been conducting its own investigation following allegations made by an employee of Severn Trent Water. Ofwat began its investigation into the allegations in January 2005. The matter reported to the SFO concerns data on leakage that came to light during Ofwat's investigation. It is very important that information which companies submit to Ofwat is reliable. Ofwat therefore takes very seriously instances where this may not be the case. It therefore referred its findings to the SFO in May this year. The SFO has concluded that the matter is sufficiently serious to warrant a separate investigation by them. Ofwat's investigation is not yet complete and depends in part on the parallel enquiries that the SFO is now undertaking. However, Ofwat obtained an assurance from Severn Trent Water at the start of its investigations that customers would be compensated if it were found as a result of these allegations that they had been overcharged. Ofwat will be setting out for Severn Trent the actions which it requires the company to take in light of its regulatory findings. Notes to Editors: 1. The Director General of Water Services is the economic regulator of the water and sewerage companies in England and Wales. He exercises his powers in a way that he judges will allow them to carry out their functions properly, and finance them. His duties include protecting the interests of customers, wherever appropriate by promoting effective competition. 2. Severn Trent Water serves more than eight million customers across the heart of the UK, stretching from the Bristol Channel to the Humber, and from mid-Wales to the East Midlands. MEDIA ENQUIRIES TO OFWAT PRESS OFFICE ON: 0121 625 1416/1496/1442 Out of hours enquiries to: 07768 456646 Ofwat publications and press notices can be found on Ofwat's website at: www.ofwat.gov.uk  | ||||||
© Crown copyright |
Disclaimer & Privacy Statement |