Home / Environment / Sewage Spills Surge 60% as Water Firms Fail to Meet Pollution Targets
Sewage Spills Surge 60% as Water Firms Fail to Meet Pollution Targets
18 Jul
Summary
- Serious pollution incidents by water firms rose 60% in a year
- 3 companies responsible for 81% of most serious incidents
- Government plans to overhaul water regulation system
Last year, the number of serious pollution incidents caused by water firms in the UK rose by a staggering 60%, according to a new report by the Environment Agency. The agency recorded 2,801 sewage leaks, up from 2,174 in 2023, with just three companies - Thames, Southern, and Yorkshire - behind 81% of the most serious incidents.
The data paints a bleak picture of the water industry's environmental performance, despite the agency's expectations for pollution to decrease. In fact, the report revealed consistently poor performance from all nine water and sewerage firms in the country.
In response, the government is now planning to axe the toothless water regulator Ofwat and overhaul the regulation system. This comes ahead of a landmark review of the industry led by Sir Jon Cunliffe, which is set to be published on Monday. The review is expected to outline recommendations for tackling the sector's environmental and financial challenges.
The move follows a scathing report by the Public Accounts Committee earlier this week, which described the level of pollution as "woeful" and called for a complete overhaul of the regulation system. Environment Secretary Steve Reed has also condemned the "disgraceful" figures, calling them a "stark reminder" of the industry's failings.
