The boss of Thames Water has stepped down with immediate effect. Sky News says the company has a £14 billion debt pile, so it is not looking good for ANOTHER private water firm.
The announcement comes just weeks after it was reported that Sarah Bentley will receive pay and perks worth £1.6m this year.
Ms Bentley gave up her bonus, as did other senior members of staff.
However, she did reportedly double her pay, raking in £1.6 million.
Thames Water said that she would give up her bonus due to the water industry’s continued struggles with sewage outflows and leaky pipes.
It is murky, like the sewage being pumped into our rivers and seas by various water companies.
Southern Water
One example of another water firm that is not performing, is Southern Water.
This is one of many stories, as residents in the St Denys area of Southampton have been left “sickened” by a smell of “human faeces” caused by the Southern Water sewage works, reports Daily Echo.
He said: “Imagine you’re in your garden and you have guests, then you get that smell wafting in.
“People ring up Southern Water and they tell us that no one has complained.
“I wrote the letter and asked the local Facebook groups if anyone would like to sign the letter.
“Within 24 hours there were 180 people had asked to sign it.
“I just wanted to write a letter that everyone could be a part of.”
Thames Water boss
Returning to the farce at the top of the company.
In the interim, she is being succeeded by the company’s chief financial officer Alastair Cochran.
Ms Bentley said: “It has been an honour to take on such a significant challenge and a privilege to serve Thames Water’s dedicated and inspirational colleagues.
“The foundations of the turnaround that we have laid position the company for future success to improve service for customers and environmental performance. I wish everyone involved in the turnaround the very best.”
Public ownership
The Conservatives privatised the sector in 1989 and it seems that the pipes are creaky and leaky more than ever.
Reuters report: “The British government is monitoring Thames Water and prepared for a range of scenarios that could include taking it into temporary state ownership as the country’s biggest water supplier grapples with huge debts.
Related: Sewage: Martin Lewis nails Tory Minister over on-going crisis