Overview

• Hospital admissions for waterborne diseases in England have increased by 60% since 2010, with over 3,200 cases reported in 2022-23.
• Record sewage spills in 2023, discharging sewage for more than 3.6 million hours, have exacerbated the public health crisis.
• Labour pledges to put rogue water companies into 'special measures' to force them to clean up pollution and protect public health.
• Proposed reforms include giving the regulator powers to block bonuses for water company bosses until pollution is addressed, and introducing criminal charges for repeated law violations.
• Government insists it is taking 'tough action' to hold water companies accountable, with measures including increased inspections and investment in sewage spill reduction.