Two water companies have been fined a combined £86.8m over sewage-related failures.
Industry watchdog Ofwat – itself set to be scrapped as part of a shake-up of oversight in the sector – said Anglian Water and its shareholders faced a redress package of £62.8m.
The penalty for South West Water stood at £24m.
The pair are the latest firms to face financial consequences for breaching obligations in the operation of their wastewater treatment works and networks.
Lynn Parker, senior director for enforcement at Ofwat, said: «Our investigations found failures in how Anglian Water and South West Water have operated and maintained their sewage works and networks, which has resulted in excessive spills from storm overflows.
«These are serious breaches and are unacceptable.
«We understand that the public wants to see transformative change.
«That is why we are prioritising this sector-wide investigation which is holding wastewater companies to account for identified failures.
«We are pleased both companies have accepted that they got things wrong and are now focusing on putting that right, and taking action to come back into compliance.»
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