Thames Water bosses have seen their salaries soar despite coming under fire for failing to fix leaky pipes while announcing a hosepipe ban for London.
Total pay and bonuses for company executives totalled £3.2million in 2021/22, up from £2.8 million the previous year, according to new figures.
Across the country, salaries for top water company bosses rose by 20 per cent, despite many firms failing to meet pollution and sewage release targets.
Thames Water will implement a hosepipe ban on August 24 for London and Thames Valley after the record-breaking heatwave.
Liberal Democrat Treasury spokesman and Richmond MP Sarah Olney MP said: "Hosepipe bans could have been avoided this summer if these Thames Water execs bothered to invest in their creaking infrastructure rather than stuffing profits in their pockets.
“They are putting profit over the environment. Frankly, the whole thing stinks."
Thames Water loses almost a quarter of its water through leaks.
It said it is “making progress” on leaks and has “met our target for the last three years to reduce leaks by 10 per cent”.
A Thames Water spokesman added: “Our executive reward packages are benchmarked with those at other similar-sized organisations. We must pay competitive packages to attract and retain the best people.
“Bonuses are dependent on achieving specified performance improvements in key areas including leakage, pollutions and customer service.
“The company’s Remuneration Committee seeks to ensure that there is a clear and demonstrable link between executive remuneration and the delivery of our business purpose – to deliver life’s essential service, so that our customers, communities and the environment can thrive.”
