A scathing new report has demanded that UK water companies prioritise the common good over shareholder profits, following years of public anger over sewage spills, infrastructure failures, and soaring executive pay.
The study, backed by environmental and consumer groups, argues that water firms have prioritised financial returns at the expense of environmental protection and fair pricing. It highlights that since privatisation in 1989, water companies have paid out over £72 billion in dividends while failing to adequately invest in ageing infrastructure.
Key Findings of the Report
- Water firms have increased bills by 40% above inflation since privatisation.
- Raw sewage discharges into rivers and coastal waters have surged by 54% in five years.
- Executive pay at major water companies now averages £2.5 million annually.
Calls for Reform
The report urges regulators to enforce stricter public interest obligations, including:
- Capping dividends until infrastructure improvements are made.
- Mandating real-time monitoring of all sewage outlets.
- Linking executive bonuses to environmental performance.
With public trust at an all-time low, the findings add pressure on policymakers to overhaul what critics call a "broken system" of water management in England and Wales.
