Eight of England’s nine water companies still failing on environment, report finds
Summary
A joint report by four UK agencies found that eight of England’s nine water companies were rated poor or in need of improvement on environmental performance. The report recorded 74 serious pollution incidents in 2025, while the companies’ combined performance score fell to its lowest level since ratings began.Key Facts
- England recorded 2,666 pollution incidents in 2025, 40% more than in 2016.
- Thames Water had the most pollution incidents, followed by Anglian Water, United Utilities, Yorkshire Water and Southern Water.
- The companies received a combined 16 out of 36 possible performance stars, down from 19 the previous year.
- Environment Secretary Angela Eagle summoned water industry bosses to Whitehall and said the government was preparing further action.
- Defra said it would set improvement actions covering issues such as leakage, pollution and customer satisfaction.
- Rules introduced last year block executive bonuses at companies with a one-star rating.
- Four agencies combined their data for the report for the first time, as a step toward bringing fragmented regulatory responsibilities together.
- Water UK said leakage was at a historic low and argued that blockages or vandalism caused more than half of pollution incidents in 2025.
Read the Full Article
This is a fact-based summary from The Actual News. Click below to read the complete story directly from the original source.
