In a landmark move that signals a new era of environmental accountability, Thames Water has been hit with a record £123 million fine—an unprecedented punishment for a company long accused of putting profits before people and nature. The utility giant, which supplies water to millions including residents of Finchley and Golders Green, is now facing the consequences of years of sewage dumping and environmental neglect.
This comes after the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, under the leadership of Steve Reed, launched a sweeping crackdown on water companies.
Since taking office, Reed has greenlit 81 criminal investigations targeting corporate polluters and pledged to end the scandal of sewage in our rivers and the payouts to shareholders while customers suffer.
“I will keep pressing to make sure action is taken to keep Dollis Brook clean.”
Locally, residents of Finchley and Golders Green know all too well the damage unchecked pollution can cause. From the banks of the Brent to the delicate stretches of Dollis Brook, our cherished green spaces and waterways have borne the brunt of corporate negligence. Thames Water’s history of discharges into local watercourses like Dollis Brook is not just an environmental outrage—it’s a betrayal of public trust.
Last month, after constituents had made numerous reports of sewage and pollution in Dollis Brook I wrote to the Council about the issue. They assured me that they have been working with Thames Water to monitor issues. I will keep pressing to make sure action is taken to keep Dollis Brook clean.
Environmental permits are not optional guidelines—they are the law. When companies like Thames Water pollute our rivers, it’s a criminal offence. These latest investigations could lead to executives being jailed for up to five years—a long-overdue step in holding water bosses personally accountable.
This fine—the largest ever imposed on a water company—is a turning point. Crucially, it won’t come out of your pocket. The money will be paid by the company’s investors, not its customers, who were already hit with higher bills just last month.
And this is just the beginning. Water companies are now being forced to invest a record £104 billion over the next five years. That means real action: slashing sewage discharges by nearly half, cleaning up our rivers, lakes, and coastlines, and delivering safe, clean water to every household—from the streets of Golders Green to the trails along Dollis Valley Greenwalk.
This is environmental justice in action. This is Labour getting tough on polluters. And this is a win for Finchley and Golders Green.
If local residents have additional evidence or concerns, we encourage them to continue reporting to the Environmental Agency via the free 24-hour incident hotline on 0800 80 70 60.