The number of most serious water pollution incidents rose by 60% last year, according to data covering England, with three companies responsible for the bulk of them.
The private equity firm founded by Guy Hands is plotting a takeover of Boatfolk, one of the UK’s biggest independent marina owners.
Sky News has learnt that Terra Firma Capital Partners, the buyout shop now run by Mr Hands' son, Richard, is among the remaining suitors for Boatfolk, which has been exploring a sale for several months.
The elder Mr Hands retired from his full-time roles at Terra Firma two years ago, having built it over several decades into one of Britain's most prominent private equity groups.
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Among its investments - some of which turned out to be financially and reputationally notorious - were the music company EMI, the care homes operator Four Seasons Health Care and Annington Homes, the former owner of thousands of Ministry of Defence homes.
More recently, it has focused on managing Mr Hands' family's money, although it does still have some external investors.
Its interest in Boatfolk is unsurprising, given the company's underlying property portfolio.
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Serious water pollution incidents in England up 60% last year - with three companies blamed for most
Owned by Mansford, a prolific investor in real estate assets, Boatfolk owns marinas at East Cowes on the Isle of Wight, Weymouth in Dorset and Royal Quays in North Shields.
Its portfolio comprises 11 sites in total.
The identities of other bidders for Boatfolk were unclear on Friday, although industry sources speculated that Crestline, an investment firm, could be among them.
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The Boatfolk auction is being handled by CBRE, the property agent.
A spokesman for Terra Firma declined to comment.
