Sat, 19 Jul 2025

Sat, 19 Jul 2025 Serious water pollution incidents up 60% in England, Environment Agency says

Last year had the highest number of pollution events by water companies ever recorded.

* Serious pollution incidents by water companies in England rose 60% in a year, reaching a record high of 2,801.
* Of these, 75 were considered "serious or persistent" and posed harm to fisheries, drinking water, and human health.
* The Public Accounts Committee described the level of pollution as "woeful" and criticized regulators for being "missing in action".
* Industry group Water UK acknowledged underinvestment in infrastructure as a major cause of pollution incidents.
* Three companies - Thames Water, Southern Water, and Yorkshire Water - were responsible for the majority of serious incidents.
* England's combined sewage system is partly to blame for pollution, but water companies are still failing to meet their legal obligations.
* The government is set to publish a report on Monday outlining recommendations for improving the sector, including potentially scrapping regulator Ofwat.
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