Home / Environment / Water Watchdog Slams Companies: Excuses Won't Cut It!
Water Watchdog Slams Companies: Excuses Won't Cut It!
29 Oct
Summary
- Eight of nine English water companies rated poorly for environmental performance.
- Pollution incidents increased by 40% in 2025 compared to 2016.
- Environment Secretary Angela Eagle calls for root-and-branch reform.
Eight of the nine water companies in England have been rated as "poor" or "requiring improvement" by the Environment Agency and other watchdogs. This assessment comes despite substantial investment, with the companies’ overall environmental performance falling. Dame Angela Eagle, the environment secretary, expressed frustration, stating the public is "sick of excuses" and that the industry has "let the public down time and time again."
In 2025, England recorded 2,666 pollution incidents, a 40% increase from 2016. Serious pollution incidents, causing significant environmental harm, saw only a minor reduction. The UK’s fully privatized water system, unique alongside Chile, faces intense scrutiny. Environmental campaigners are advocating for an end to the privatization experiment and a shift towards public ownership, arguing that the current model prioritizes shareholders over environmental health and consumers.
In response to the report, the Department for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) indicated that further actions are planned, including tougher consequences for executives at underperforming companies. These measures aim to tackle issues like leakage and reduce pollution incidents. Water UK acknowledged that performance is not adequate, citing blockages and vandalism as contributing factors but also recognizing the need for further improvement with substantial upcoming investments.
