23 November 2007
Severn Trent Water is facing criminal prosecution on fraud charges, it emerged yesterday.
A former employee of the firm has alleged that Severn Trent misreported leakage data between 2000 and 2002 - charges since investigated by the Serious Fraud Office (SFO).
Chief Executive of the water provider Tony Wray said: "The new board has co-operated fully with the SFO during the investigation. We will now study carefully the details of the charges which relate to the responsibilities of a previous regime."
A spokesperson for water industry regulator Ofwat, talking to the Times said: "For a water company to face criminal charges like this is unprecedented. We cannot comment on the case until it is complete."
The newspaper confirmed that the watchdog is currently conducting its own investigation into the matter - whose evidence might be used in a future trial.
Severn Trent also admitted in April 2006 to having misreported its customer service data.