Water companies released raw sewage into England’s rivers and seas for a record 3.61 million hours in 2024, as campaigners warned that proposed government reforms fail to address the fundamental problems of a privatised system.
The government has announced what it describes as the biggest overhaul of the water industry since privatisation, including unannounced inspections, regular MOT-style checks and mandatory water efficiency labels on household appliances.
However, environmental groups said the measures did not confront the root causes of the crisis.
Surfers Against Sewage chief executive Giles Bristow described the proposals as “frankly insulting,” arguing that as long as the industry prioritised profit, the public would continue paying the price through rising bills and polluted water.
River Action chief executive James Wallace said the government recognised the scale of the freshwater emergency but lacked the urgency and bold reform to tackle it. He warned that none of the measures would make a meaningful difference unless the privatised model was confronted directly.
The reforms follow a review by Sir Jon Cunliffe, who issued 88 recommendations. However, he was not asked to consider nationalisation.
Sir Dieter Helm, professor of economic policy at Oxford University, said the government had avoided exploring public ownership because its self-imposed spending rules had already been stretched. He added that there was a view within government that it was not competent to run such businesses.
Environment Secretary Emma Reynolds said there would be “nowhere to hide” for poor performing companies, acknowledging the sector had been “marking its own homework.”
A new regulator will replace Ofwat, though officials indicated this may take a year or more. Wales plans to establish its own stand-alone economic regulator.
In 2025, pollution incidents rose 27 per cent while customer satisfaction fell 9 per cent. Average bills increased 26 per cent from April, funding £104 billion of investment over five years.
Pete Devery from the Angling Trust, standing beside the River Pang in Berkshire — which has deteriorated from “good” status in 2015 to “poor” — said he would not hold his breath.
“The proof will be in the river,” he said.
