Four former Southern Water employees, including former chief executive Matthew Wright, have been charged with conspiracy to defraud following a long-running investigation into wastewater monitoring practices. Prosecutors allege that between 2012 and 2017 the men manipulated the Operator Self-Monitoring (OSM) system by creating artificial 'no-flow' events at sewage treatment works, enabling the company to avoid recording poor environmental test results. The Environment Agency claims the alleged actions misled both regulators and Ofwat, potentially helping the company avoid significant penalties. Southern Water also faces separate environmental charges relating to permit breaches during the same period. The company says the issues were uncovered through its own internal investigation in 2017, reported to regulators, and addressed through major changes in leadership, governance, and environmental investment. All four former employees deny wrongdoing, and the case will now proceed through the courts. The prosecution forms part of wider efforts by regulators and government to improve accountability and tackle pollution affecting Britain’s rivers, lakes, and coastal waters.