Awareness only · official claim below
What this claim is about
Six of England’s water companies — Thames Water, Severn Trent, Northumbrian Water, United Utilities, Yorkshire Water and Anglian Water — are accused of under-reporting how often they released sewage into rivers and seas.
The claims argue that because the companies’ environmental performance looked better than it really was, households were charged more for wastewater services than they should have been. Brought as collective actions at the Competition Appeal Tribunal, they could cover millions of household customers.
The companies deny wrongdoing, and the case is not yet proceeding on the facts: the Tribunal declined to let it go ahead, the Court of Appeal agreed, and the UK Supreme Court has now granted permission to appeal that decision — so the first question is whether the claims can proceed at all. Nothing here is legal advice.
How this kind of claim works
Group claims take different forms. Here’s the shape of this one, in plain terms.
- Competition Appeal Tribunal (CAT)
- A specialist tribunal that hears large consumer claims about companies breaking competition law.
- Opt-out claim
- If you’re an eligible customer you’re included automatically — you don’t need to sign up. Registering just keeps you informed.
- No win, no fee
- Affected customers pay nothing. Any compensation would come from the companies and their shareholders, not from higher bills.
What the claim argues
Sewage under-reported
The companies are accused of telling regulators of fewer sewage spills than actually happened.
Bills set too high
Because performance looked better than it was, customers are said to have paid more for wastewater than they should.
Breaking the rules
The claims argue this breached environmental and competition law.
These are allegations; RPC, for class representative Professor Carolyn Roberts runs the claim, and the court has not ruled.
Who’s covered?
- You are, or were, a household customer of Thames Water, Severn Trent, Northumbrian Water, United Utilities, Yorkshire Water or Anglian Water
- You paid for wastewater (sewage) services — the qualifying start date varies by company (for example, Thames from April 2017, Yorkshire from April 2020)
- It is an opt-out claim, so eligible customers are included automatically — you don’t need to register to be covered
How it’s unfolded
- 2023–2024 Collective claims filed against the six water companies.
- March 2025 The Competition Appeal Tribunal declines to let the claims proceed.
- 1 July 2026 The UK Supreme Court grants permission to appeal that decision.
- Next The Supreme Court will decide whether the claims can go ahead.
Common questions
Do I need to sign up?
No. It’s an opt-out claim, so eligible customers are included automatically. You can register on the official site to get updates.
Which companies are covered?
Thames Water, Severn Trent, Northumbrian Water, United Utilities, Yorkshire Water and Anglian Water.
Will I definitely get money?
No — nothing is decided. The Supreme Court first has to allow the claims to proceed, and the companies deny the allegations.
Does it cost anything?
No. Affected customers pay no fees or costs.
Join the official claim
This claim is run by RPC, for class representative Professor Carolyn Roberts. LegalClaimPro is featuring it to raise awareness — we don’t run the claim and we don’t collect your details here. To take part, register on the official claim site, where you’ll see who’s behind it and their terms before you join.
The official site opens in a new tab. Always check who runs a claim and their terms before sharing your details.