A DISHONOURABLE DISCHARGE..

The above logo is one of many adopted by Southern Water, who are charged with the responsibility of ensuring that all waste water throughout their wide area of operation is dealt with efficiently, effectively and economically in the interests of its millions of `customers` and the natural environment.  But they are a private company of many years standing and as such are also accountable to their shareholders.   

Now I`m sure you have seen the reports that Southern Water have been fined £90million for dumping millions of litres (whatever happened to gallons?) of raw sewage in coastal waters.  The company admitted 6,971 illegal discharges from sites spread throughout Kent, Sussex and Hampshire between 2010 and 2015.   In handing down his verdict, the Judge remarked that each of the 51 offences showed a total disregard for the environment, for the precious ecosystems along the coastlines and for the fisheries and other legitimate businesses that depend on the vitality of coastal waters.

The company`s Chief Executive said he was `deeply sorry` and that what happened was `completely unacceptable.   I` sure there will be recriminations within the company and no doubt deputy heads will roll.  There is no crumb of comfort here except perhaps the confirmation that none of the fine will be passed on to Southern Water`s customers but will be met from company profits, which amounted to £213million in the last year and yet they won`t even pay for a stamped addressed envelope for me to send my cheque off to them.

This whole saga raises the question again as to whether it is right for the precious commodity of water to be entrusted into the hands of profit making private companies, especially those like Southern Water who have form - it had 168 previous offences and cautions and this latest debacle was admitted to have been taken deliberately in the interest of profit.  No way to run a railway.

We`ll see what, if anything, happens further but it has raised the obvious question about who actually pays the fines imposed on large organisations.  In particular, there have been cases of fines imposed on NHS Trusts - another recent example here in Kent - but surely the last thing we want is for the public money that pays for the NHS and the services it provides to be reduced by the imposition of fines.   The whole business could do with some much needed attention.