Former UK water company CEO charged over alleged water test fraud

Published on

22/07/2026 - 18:42 GMT+2

The former chief executive of UK water company Southern Water has been charged with conspiring to "manipulate" water quality tests, British authorities said on Wednesday.

Matthew Wright, who previously led the company supplying water and wastewater services to millions of people across southern England, is accused alongside three others of conspiring to defraud the Environment Agency and water regulator Ofwat between 2012 and 2017.

Prosecutors allege the defendants deliberately manipulated wastewater flows before mandatory water quality tests to influence the results.

Former UK water company CEO charged over alleged water test fraud

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