Water pollution was an issue in the recent general election campaign, with promises to get tough on polluters and clean up the country's waterways.

The Labour government said it had now introduced proposed legislation into parliament promising to give tougher powers to regulators and come down hard against companies damaging the environment.

If passed, the Environment Agency will be able to prosecute water company executives if they fail to cooperate or obstruct investigations, and introduce harsher punishments.

It will also ban bonuses to bosses if they fail to meet environmental protection targets, after public outrage at the payouts.

"The public are furious that in 21st-century Britain, record levels of sewage are being pumped into our rivers, lakes and seas," said Environment Secretary Steve Reed.

"After years of neglect, our waterways are now in an unacceptable state," he added, promising that the new law would "end the disgraceful behaviour of water companies and their bosses".

Britain's water sector was privatised under Conservative prime minister Margaret Thatcher in the 1980s.

But its largely 19th-century sewerage system badly needs upgrading, with storm overflow drains, designed to release excess water during bad weather, used well beyond their intended lifespan.

Water companies have been under pressure to fix the issue.

In August, UK regulator Ofwat said it would fine three of England's biggest water suppliers a total of pound168 million ($214 million) for failings in sewage management.

Britain's biggest supplier Thames Water, which is struggling to stay afloat financially, could be hit with a pound104 million.