3 publishers · first seen Thu, 29 Oct 2026 12:08 UTC · updated Thu, 29 Oct 2026 16:39 UTC
Environment Secretary Dame Angela Eagle has demanded answers from water companies after a joint report by four regulators found their environmental performance worsened in 2025, with eight of nine companies in England rated as 'poor' or 'requiring improvement'. The report recorded 74 serious pollution incidents, one fewer than the previous year, and overall environmental performance scored 16 out of 36 possible stars, the lowest on record. Eagle summoned industry bosses to Whitehall, warning of tougher consequences and root-and-branch reform, while regulators highlighted record investment and reduced leakage as positives.
The four regulators – the Environment Agency, Natural Resources Wales, Ofwat and the Drinking Water Inspectorate – published their first joint assessment, signaling plans to merge into a single body under the current government. Severn Trent was the only English company to receive the highest rating, while Dŵr Cymru Welsh Water received two out of four stars in Wales. Water UK acknowledged performance shortfalls but noted more than half of pollution incidents stemmed from blockages or vandalism, which are outside companies' direct control.
Content auto-generated. May contain inaccuracies.