Overview
- England’s nine main water companies collectively scored 19 out of 36 stars for 2024, the lowest since the assessment began in 2011.
- Serious pollution incidents rose 60% year on year to 75 cases, reaching the highest level since 2013 and 2011 peak years.
- Thames Water was the only one‑star company and saw serious sewage incidents more than double to 33, while Severn Trent was the sole four‑star performer.
- Thames Water, Southern Water and Yorkshire Water accounted for about 81% of serious incidents; Northumbrian Water and Wessex Water recorded none.
- Ministers plan to retire Ofwat and create a new super‑regulator as Ofwat approves roughly £104bn of investment over five years, with Thames Water still burdened by about £20bn of debt and reported insolvency planning.