Ofwat’s announcement concerns a company that supplies around 109,000 customers with water and wastewater services in Wales
Welsh water company Hafren Dyfrdwy has agreed to pay £280,000 after “unacceptable” failings that led to a sewage spill, industry regulator Ofwat has announced.
The watchdog stated that the utility had “failed to do its duty to effectively deal with wastewater and sewage”.
Hafren Dyfrdwy, a subsidiary of Severn Trent, provides water and sewage services to around 109,000 customers in north-east and mid-Wales.
The company has proposed a £280,000 package of remedial measures to be implemented by 2030 to address problems found during Ofwat’s investigation, with the cost of the ban being passed on to customers through increased bills.
Ofwat’s investigation revealed that the company had failed to maintain adequate drainage, manage sewer contents effectively, and lacked the necessary processes and systems to meet its obligations.
The announcement follows Hafren Dyfrdwy being allowed to raise customer bills by £54, or 9%, to an average of £635 in the 2026-27 financial year.
Lynn Parker, senior director for enforcement at Ofwat, said: “Our investigation found unacceptable breaches by Hafren Dyfrdwy, which caused a massive spill from stormwater flooding.
“We are clear that this is unacceptable and now expect the company to focus on putting things right so that customers can regain trust in water companies and the critical services they provide.”
Hafren Dyfrdwy, which means Severn Dee in Welsh, is required to implement a series of measures, including the installation of two storm water balancing tanks to cut spills, in addition to partnering with the local conservation trust to help in creating wetland habitats.
It is the ninth case under Ofwat’s industrial waste investigation, which the regulator says has netted more than £300 million in enforcement packages and fines.
Parker said: “We know the public want to see transformative change.
“That is why we prioritize investigations in this sector, which hold companies, like Hafren Dyfrdwy, to account.”
Steph Cawley, managing director of Hafren Dyfrdwy, said: “We accept Ofwat’s findings and apologize to our customers for this issue which we have done well.
“Last year, we reduced the average spill to 21.6, from 36.2 the previous year, but we know there is more to do.”