Overview

• Environment Agency’s July 2025 report shows a 60% increase in category 1 and 2 pollution incidents by England’s nine water firms in 2024.
• Thames Water, Southern Water and Yorkshire Water accounted for 81% of the 75 most serious sewage spills last year.
• The watchdog attributes the rise to chronic underinvestment in infrastructure, poor asset maintenance and reduced resilience to climate change.
• Environment Secretary Steve Reed has banned unfair bonuses, introduced jail sentences for polluters and secured £104 billion for critical sewage infrastructure upgrades.
• The Public Accounts Committee has called for a complete overhaul of water regulation and the Independent Water Commission’s final recommendations are due imminently.