Business · Water company performanceEngland water report: Eight of nine companies rated poor or requiring improvementAired October 30, 2026 at 6:44 AM UTCWritten October 30, 2026 at 6:52 AM UTCRead the write-upThis storyTranscript · LOADING0:07Eight English water companies earned environmental ratings of poor or requiring0:11improvement.0:11Serious pollution stayed at similarly high levels despite five billion pounds0:15invested over the previous five years.0:17Households face higher bills as companies promise more work.0:20Will those payments deliver the improvements customers are funding?0:23Eight of the nine major companies fell into those two categories.0:26Severn Trent alone received the highest rating.0:28Together, the companies earned sixteen out of thirty, six possible stars, their0:33lowest combined score on record.0:34The environment agency says that record low reflects both declining performance in0:38some areas and tougher standards.0:40So the star score alone can't tell us how much pollution changed.0:43Serious pollution incidents remained a major concern in twenty twenty-five, at0:47levels similar to previous years.0:49The industry's environmental performance deteriorated again.0:51Drinking, water quality remained among the best in the world, and companies reduced0:55service disruptions.0:57Regulators also recognized a long-term fall in leakage.1:00While calling for further improvement, those gains sit alongside the industry's1:03continuing pollution problems.1:05The first Water Industry Performance Insights joint report was announced on1:08October29,2026 .1:10It brings together the Environment Agency, Natural Resources Wales, OVAT, and the1:15Drinking Water Inspectorate.1:16The environmental ratings assess2025 , other measures cover different periods,1:21including leakage data from April2020 ,5 , March2026 .1:25Environment Agency Chair Alan Lovell says some companies haven't delivered1:29environmental schemes they've already been funded to complete.1:31He said he was very angry and sympathized with the public.1:34His criticism reaches beyond pollution levels to work customers have already paid1:38for.1:38Water UK acknowledges that some companies' environmental performance isn't good1:42enough.1:43But the industry body says more than half of all pollution incidents result from1:46blockages or vandalism outside companies' direct control.1:49That's its explanation for pollution incidents overall.1:52It doesn't give a separate breakdown for the serious incidents troubling regulators.1:56Companies have invested five billion pounds over the preceding five years to tackle2:00environmental pollution.2:01Further investment is committed through twenty thirty.2:03Alongside that program.2:05Household bills are expected to rise by an average thirty-six percent between twenty2:09twenty-five and twenty thirty.2:10The future program includes upgrades to networks and sewage treatment works.2:14Water UK says record investment will secure supplies, support growth, and end sewage2:19entering rivers and seas, but that it will take time.2:22Customers are already paying more while some previously funded schemes remain2:25unfinished.2:26Household complaints reaching the Consumer Council for water rose eighty-four2:29percent in a year, reaching their highest level in twenty years.2:32That increase made public in September2026 measures complaints reaching the consumer2:37body rather than every complaint made directly to companies.2:40Household water use has barely shifted either.2:42Consumption in England and Wales averaged one hundred and thirty seven liters per2:46person per Dalton Y in twenty twenty-five, similar to the previous year.2:50Government advisors say demand will probably need to fall as climate change.2:54Population growth and historic underinvestment put future supplies under pressure.2:58Consumer Council Chief Mike Cale says many customers haven't noticed improvements3:02and are questioning value for money.3:03Angling Trust fisheries head Mark Owen wants companies to cut leakage further.3:07Environment Secretary Dame Angela Eagle says she's demanding answers from failing3:10companies.3:11Hosepipe bans remained across large parts of England and Wales after the summer3:15drought.3:15Owen says every liter lost has already been taken from the environment, while3:19rivers, fish, and wildlife face immense pressure.3:21Cale says customers support investment and understand it takes time, but already3:25question whether their money is being well spent.3:27DR Simru Welsh Water received two out of four stars from Natural Resources Wales.3:32It sits outside England's nine company total.3:35The joint reporting covers both countries, where governments are planning different3:38changes to the way the industry is regulated.3:40Eagle also promises to shine a spotlight on the worst offenses.3:44Legislation planned for2027 would overhaul the industry structure and regulation,3:49including combining the regulators covering England.3:51Wales plans a new regulator alongside Natural Resources Wales.3:54Higher payments haven't yet delivered all the funded environmental work.3:58Companies still have to finish those schemes and reduce serious pollution.Explore with HeyDexFollow via RSS
