Water companies in England have failed to meet their pollution reduction targets, recording 2,487 incidents in 2024, which is double the limit set by the Environment Agency. Despite being set a target of a 40% reduction in pollution incidents by the Environment Agency, they reported a 30% increase, making 2024 the year with the highest number of pollution incidents in a decade.
A report by the charity Surfers Against Sewage reveals that the water industry in England failed to hit its targets for reducing pollution incidents during the last investment period of 2020-2025. As a result, customers will face an average hike of £123 in their bills this year to fund repairs and upgrades to infrastructure, aiming to combat pollution. However, the charity argues that a more significant and radical reform of the sector is necessary, as previous promises made under the previous round of funding were not fulfilled.
Despite record levels of raw sewage discharge and new measures aimed at limiting executive pay in cases of sewage spills, the report also highlights that shareholders received £1.2 billion in the 2023-2024 period. The charity’s chief executive, Giles Bristow, emphasizes the need for a complete overhaul of the system, indicating that other countries manage their water resources at a local level rather than through the privately owned model in England, which has been detrimental to the environment and public health.
Surfers Against Sewage operates a sickness monitoring scheme for people who fall ill after coming into contact with contaminated water. In 2024, the charity received 1,853 such reports, with an average of five people falling ill each day after swimming or using the water. Those who reported illnesses often required medical attention, and a significant portion of doctors attributed the sickness to sewage pollution.
In September 2023, a 28-year-old swimmer named Charlie Clarke fell ill after swimming in a marine lake near Bristol when training for an Ironman race.Subsequent tests determined that he contracted a virus during his swim, causing a drop in his blood pressure and a minor heart problem.
Water UK, the industry body, responded that no sewage spill is acceptable and that water companies are investing £12 billion to reduce spills from storm overflows by almost half by 2030. The Environment Agency was also contacted for comment.
Source: https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2025/apr/16/water-companies-pollution-incidents-in-england-increased-by-30-in-2024
