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Thames Water continues to crack down on illegal network connections

Thames Water Workers
  • In the first five months of 2026, Thames Water has secured 23 convictions against companies and individuals for making illegal connections to its water network
  • Total fines issued nearly £90,000
  • Cracking down on illegal connections helps save millions of litres of water and ensures Thames Water’s clean water network remains of the highest standard
  • Several of those convicted are repeat offenders

Thames Water has secured 23 convictions in the first five months of 2026 against companies and individuals who have illegally connected to the network of the UK’s largest water company. The convictions relate to 47 separate offences several of which were committed by repeat offenders. The 47 offences have resulted in total payable fines and legal costs of £89,788.

 

Illegal connections to the network compromise the security and quality of our drinking water as well as the loss of millions of litres of water. It also results in a loss of vital revenue that would be committed to vital infrastructure upgrades to improve network resilience and help to protect the environment.

 

Unauthorised connections include developers linking a property to a water main without approval or inspection and the unauthorised use of existing connections, such as splitting one supply across multiple flats. People can also be convicted for illegally abstracting water by tapping into a pipe or standpipe without permission or metering, to avoid paying for water usage.

 

Key prosecutions so far this year include:

  • McFen Plant Hire Ltd convicted a fourth time, in total 10 offences, this time in Canning Town, London, fined nearly £4,000
  • Dinah Adjei-Barwuah and Barfour Adjei-Barwuah: prosecution against two former owners of a house in Southwark that was converted into three flats. Total fines reached £15,280.
  • Hudmac Servicing Limited: unauthorised use of a standpipe in Abingdon resulting in a fine of £2,047.

Claire Rumens, Thames Water’s illegal connections manager, said: 

 

“Our efforts to identify and stop illegal connections are crucial to protecting the integrity of our network. This crucial work prevents millions of litres of water from being wasted and helps us meet our statutory duty to safeguard the supply.

 

“As we ask customers to use water responsibly and deploy teams around the clock to fix leaks, we’re equally committed to tackling unlawful use of our system. We will always try to work constructively with individuals and businesses to educate them and reduce the risk of repeat offences.” 
 
Thames Water Utilities Ltd (TWUL) have the right to prosecute all offences but may offer a one-off retrospective charge for a non-aggravated standpipe first offence.

 

Standpipes can be hired from Thames Water’s authorised service provider.