Water bosses summoned to Whitehall after environmental scores hit record low

Eight of the nine major water companies in England received a rating of poor or requiring improvement in a joint assessment released on Wednesday.

The report marks the lowest combined score since the evaluation process began, signaling a decline in environmental performance despite years of capital investment.

Environment Secretary Dame Angela Eagle has summoned industry leaders to Whitehall to discuss the findings. She described the results as further proof that root-and-branch reform is necessary.

Eagle stated that the public is tired of excuses. She warned that water companies have let the public down repeatedly.

The joint report was produced by the Environment Agency, the Drinking Water Inspectorate, Natural Resources Wales, and Ofwat. This marks the first time these four agencies have pooled their data for a unified assessment.

The document recorded 74 serious pollution incidents in 2025. These are defined as events causing significant harm to the environment. The total is one fewer than the previous year.

Overall, there were 2,666 pollution incidents in England in 2025. This represents a 40 percent increase compared to 2016 levels.

Thames Water recorded the highest number of incidents, followed by Anglian Water, United Utilities, Yorkshire Water, and Southern Water.

The combined environmental performance rating for all companies totaled 16 stars out of a possible 36. This is a drop from 19 stars in the previous cycle.

The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs said it is preparing further action with tougher consequences for executives at failing firms.

New rules that took effect last year block bonuses for executives at companies receiving a one-star rating. Defra said it would set out clear improvement actions, including tackling leakage and reducing pollution incidents.

James Wallace, chief executive of River Action, said the system rewards shareholders while rivers and wildlife lose out. He called for Thames Water to enter special administration immediately and for ministers to review alternative models including public ownership. He also urged regulators to be given the power to make polluters pay rather than the public. Richard Benwell, chief executive of Wildlife and Countryside Link, said a new regulator must have a clear legal duty to restore nature and strong powers to enforce the law. Water UK, the industry trade body, noted that leakage is at its lowest level in history. The group said that while more than half of incidents were caused by blockages or vandalism, there is clearly more work to do. It stated that record investment will help secure water supplies and end sewage entering rivers and seas.