Home / Environment / Water Firms Fail Environment, Customers Suffer
Water Firms Fail Environment, Customers Suffer
29 Oct
Summary
- Southern Water and Thames Water had 765 combined pollution incidents in 2025.
- South East Water's supply interruptions increased sixfold in 2025.
- Eight of nine English water companies rated 'poor' for environment.
A joint report by water regulators Ofwat, the Environment Agency, and others has highlighted severe performance issues among South East water companies. Southern Water and Thames Water collectively reported 765 pollution incidents in 2025, with Southern Water also facing criticism for failing to complete environmental improvement actions on time and for low customer satisfaction.
South East Water is singled out for the worst performance in the industry regarding supply interruptions, which increased sixfold in 2025. This company, already under independent monitoring and ordered to spend £30.5 million on improvements, faced further customer issues including hosepipe restrictions and multiple outages affecting up to 70,000 people.
Thames Water, with 464 pollution incidents including 24 serious ones in 2025, is under further oversight due to financial and operational concerns. SES Water and Affinity Water showed better environmental records but still require action on water supply and customer interactions, respectively.
Overall, the industry's environmental performance has declined, with eight of nine English companies rated 'poor' or 'requiring improvement'. The Environment Agency cited serious pollution incidents as a major concern, contributing to the industry's worst-ever environmental star rating of 16 out of 36.
