Thames Water had worst year for pollution in a decade

Thames Water last year had its worst record for serious pollution incidents in almost a decade, according to a government report that condemned the water sector’s environmental record as “very disappointing”.

The Environment Agency’s annual assessment found that just two of nine water firms, Thames Water and Anglian Water, accounted for more than half of serious pollution incidents in 2022. Thames Water’s CEO resigned without explanation last month and the UK’s biggest water company was quizzed by MPs on Wednesday about its financial resilience.

Total pollution incidents got worse across the water sector, jumping almost 8 per cent to more than 2,000 last year. It was the first increase since 2019. Alan Lovell, chairman of the EA, said the rise was “simply unacceptable” and a

Enjoy unlimited digital access. £1 for 6 months.

Already a subscriber? Log in