Regulators recorded 2,991 water pollution incidents across England and Wales in 2025, including 84 serious incidents, as ministers consider tougher action against failing water firms.
Charlotte Mercer · 3 min readS&P has downgraded Thames Water to CCC- as the utility seeks £2.4bn in additional emergency financing and attempts to restructure approximately £20bn in debt.
Staff member · 2 min readFormer Labour Cabinet minister Lord John Hutton has been selected as prospective chairman of Thames Water if a creditor-led rescue deal goes ahead.
Charlotte Mercer · 2 min readThames Water has secured support from holders of more than 60% of its junior Class B debt for terms that could see around £1bn written off under a proposed rescue. Regulators have not approved the wider plan.
Staff member · 3 min readThames Water is asking creditors to support an additional £2.4 billion emergency funding facility as it warns existing liquidity may last only until late 2026 or early 2027.
Charlotte Mercer · 2 min readSurfers Against Sewage says England’s nine water and sewerage companies reported more than 50,000 discharges late in the first half of 2026. Yorkshire Water disputes the charity’s methodology.
Charlotte Mercer · 2 min readThe Liberal Democrats have called for failing water companies to become customer-owned mutuals and for Thames Water to be placed immediately into special administration.
Charlotte Mercer · 4 min readThe Commons Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Committee has urged the Government to reject Thames Water's creditor rescue proposal and consider special administration or emergency legislation.
Charlotte Mercer · 4 min read