When they say they are sorry, what they mean is that they are sorry that they were caught. The apology is to their shareholders because they are going to have to reduce dividends to pay for the remedial work.
That's not quite how it works. Pricing, including funding for remedial and development works, is set by Ofwat. They have kept investment low by mandating lower prices for consumers.
Today's investment news could not have happened without Ofwat's agreement. And it will be funded by price increases approved by Ofwat.
And none of this investment will do anything to address the primary cause of water pollution - runoff from farmland, or the third largest cause - runoff from highways.
I must stress this is not criticism of the investment news. I am delighted it is happening and I accept it will cost me.