The Environmental Performance Assessment published by the Environment Agency on Thursday awarded England’s water companies their lowest collective score since 2011 at 19, revealing that serious pollution incidents have increased by 60 per cent.
Cumbria’s key provider, United Utilities, has pledged to continue “delivering performance improvements.”
How did the North West’s water provider fair?
United Utilities, which provides water and sewerage services in Cumbria, was just one of the companies named in the EPA.
The water giant had the second highest score for environmental performance in the last four years, achieving 13 stars out of a possible 16.
However, United’s environmental performance dropped in 2024 to two stars, compared to four in 2023, which is the industry standard.
Water companies in England were responsible for 75 serious pollution incidents in 2024, this was an increase on 47 in 2023.
And United Utilities was one of six water companies with an increase in serious pollution incidents in 2024 compared to 2023.
A spokesperson for United Utilities said: “We know there’s always more to do to meet tougher measures and deliver better outcomes for both customers and the environment.
They said: “We are already on with delivering our £13 billion investment programme – the largest ever environmental improvement plan the North West has ever seen. This will transform over 500km of waterways across the region by 2030 and everyone at UU is focused on delivering the step change we all want to see.”
Environment Agency statement
The annual report on water company performance was accompanied by a challenge from Environment Agency boss Alan Lovell.
Mr Lovell called this year’s results ‘poor’ and evidence of a need for change.
He said: “What is needed now from every water company is bold leadership, a shift in mindset, and a relentless focus on delivery.
“We will support them however we can but will continue to robustly challenge them when they fall short.”
Union boss slams water industry
Andy Prendergast, National Secretary of the GMB Union said: “Another day, another example of the catastrophic failure of our privatised water sector overseen by a regulator who has consistently failed to regulate.
“For too long the interests of shareholders have been placed above those of staff and customers.
“The long term result is a failing system starved of investment.
Mr Prendergast said: “People deserve so much better than ever increasing pollution and higher bills.”
United Utilities said it is “fully committed” to delivering performance improvements and noted that they are “the only company that has consistently met the Environment Agency’s serious pollution target every year since these reports started in 2011.”
Regulator’s pledge to drive improvements
Ofwat published its own performance report on Thursday, along with a statement setting out its own successes as the nation’s water sector regulator.
They said: “The report shows that water company performance has been mixed – both between companies and across performance areas.
“We’ve seen progress in areas that most impact customers.”
Ofwat noted that internal sewer flooding dropped by 70 per cent or more for some companies over the 2020 – 25 period.
They said: “Our underperformance payments have led to bill reductions — with more than £700 million returned to customers over the last five years. In the last year, the figure was more than £260 million, the bulk of which was accounted for in the final determination in December 2024 and reflected in customer bills from April 2025.”
The Government announced plans in June to abolish Ofwat and hand regulatory powers for the water industry to a new watchdog.