Water firms hit record low as pollution incidents surge 60%

Serious pollution incidents up 60% last year (Alamy/PA) PA Media

England's water companies recorded their worst environmental performance since monitoring began, with serious pollution incidents surging by 60 per cent in 2024. The Environment Agency's annual assessment revealed a sector-wide decline that prompted calls for fundamental changes in industry culture and behaviour.

The regulator's star-rating system showed only Severn Trent achieved the top four-star rating across areas including pollution control, sewage management and environmental improvement. The nine major water companies collectively earned just 19 stars from a possible 36 in 2024, dropping from 25 stars in 2023 and marking the lowest performance since assessments began in 2011.

Thames Water, facing severe financial difficulties, received the worst possible rating of one star after serious pollution incidents more than doubled to 33 cases. All other companies managed only two-star ratings in the assessment.

Pollution incidents reach critical levels

Serious pollution incidents causing significant environmental harm increased to 75 cases in 2024, reaching levels not seen since peak years in 2011 and 2013. Thames Water, Southern Water and Yorkshire Water accounted for 81 per cent of these serious incidents, while Northumbrian Water and Wessex Water recorded none.

The Environment Agency attributed the decline partly to 2024's particularly wet and stormy weather, which placed additional pressure on water company infrastructure. However, the regulator emphasised that weather conditions "never provide an excuse" for poor performance.

Long-term underinvestment, inadequate maintenance and increased monitoring revealing more failings contributed to the deteriorating picture. Environment Agency chairman Alan Lovell said: "This year's results are poor and must serve as a clear and urgent signal for change. What is needed now from every water company is bold leadership, a shift in mindset, and a relentless focus on delivery."

Government promises decisive action

Environment Secretary Emma Reynolds described the situation as "a water system failure that has left our infrastructure crumbling and sewage spilling into our rivers." She announced that water company inspections and criminal investigations under the current government had reached record levels, uncovering the full extent of problems.

The government plans new powers to ban unfair bonuses, swift financial penalties for environmental offences and £104 billion in private investment for infrastructure upgrades. A new single water regulator will also be established to oversee the sector.

Industry faces mounting criticism

River Action chief executive James Wallace said the report "exposes the bankruptcy of the privatised water model" and called for a complete system overhaul. Surfers Against Sewage chief executive Giles Bristow demanded the industry be placed into special administration, stating: "This system is broken and speaks only one language: money."

Thames Water defended its record by highlighting a record capital investment of £2.225 billion in 2024/25 and promising "the biggest upgrade to our network in 150 years." The company acknowledged that transformation would require at least a decade to achieve the necessary scale of change.

Water UK, representing the industry, conceded that some companies' performance was inadequate while pointing to record low leakage rates as positive progress. The organisation expressed confidence that the planned £104 billion investment over five years would help secure water supplies and end sewage entering waterways.

Sources used: "PA Media" Note: This article has been created with Artificial Intelligence (AI).