Petition · Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
End "Retrospective Regularisation" of sewerage infrastructure
Open for signatures
21 signatures
What the petition asks
It is currently possible for water companies to operate sewerage infrastructure by applying retrospectively for the relevant environmental permits or planning permission. We believe this amounts to the avoidance of scrutiny, and that the Environment Agency is not fit for purpose.
We call on the Government to:
End the practice of retrospective regularisation for sewerage infrastructure operating without valid permits.
Mandate automatic prosecution by the Environment Agency for all unpermitted sewerage assets to ensure corporate accountability.
Establish a transparent national registry of all water assets.
The EA must obtain and document explicit informed consent from landowners before granting any permit for sewerage infrastructure operating on the landowner’s property.
End the practice of retrospective regularisation for sewerage infrastructure operating without valid permits.
Mandate automatic prosecution by the Environment Agency for all unpermitted sewerage assets to ensure corporate accountability.
Establish a transparent national registry of all water assets.
The EA must obtain and document explicit informed consent from landowners before granting any permit for sewerage infrastructure operating on the landowner’s property.
Timeline
| 23 Jul 2026 | Petition opened for signatures |
Key facts
Signatures
21
Status
Open for signatures
Department
Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
Opened
23 Jul 2026
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Source: the official petition page. Last checked 26 Jul 2026.