A FUMING Colchester councillor has hit out at water company bosses who have pocketed millions of pounds while raw sewage continues to be pumped into local waterways.

Liberal Democrat Martin Goss has slammed Anglian Water after it paid its highest-ranked employees an "eye-watering" £2,242,555 in pay and perks last year.

According to Company House records, the firm also rewarded their two executives with more than £990,000 in base pay, bonuses and pensions. 

Across the water industries in England and Wales, base pay and pension payouts for executives is understood to have risen to a new high of £10 million.
Gazette:

Since 2020, executives at the water firm have paid themselves more than £8 million in pay and perks, according to the Lib Dems’ analysis. 

Councillors in Colchester have now called for a ban on all CEO bonuses within the water industry, while also urging the firms be reformed as “public companies”. 

Mr Goss said: “Our local waterways are being pumped full of raw disgusting sewage, all whilst the water firm hand themselves insulting pay-outs.

"The whole thing stinks. These salaries and perks have reached eye-watering levels, yet Conservative ministers refuse to act.  

Gazette:

“I was shocked there was literally no mention of sewage in the King’s Speech. 

“It is time to rip up Anglian Water so it no longer puts profit before the environment. The firm is clearly not working how it should and is not listening to local concerns on sewage discharges.  

“This country’s water industry has become a gravy train where sewage and money flow freely. This is a scandal and happening on this government’s watch.  

“When will Conservative ministers finally get tough on these polluting and profiteering firms?  

“These bonuses and perks need to be banned as long as the sewage scandal continues. Bonuses should be a reward for success, not committing environmental crimes.” 

Bosses at Anglian Water have now responded.

A spokesman said: “We are very clear we don't reward failure.

"CEO Peter Simpson's bonus last year was cut by 65 per cent reflecting Anglian Water’s reduced performance, specifically around the environment, none of which was paid for by customers."