English water firms get lowest environmental rating since records began

English h2o companies person collectively been fixed the lowest biology standing by the Environment Agency (EA) since records began.

Companies were ranked connected a standard of 1 to 4 stars. Out of a maximum people of 36 stars for each 9 companies, the firms unneurotic scored 19, the lowest since the EA began monitoring.

The lone inferior to person the highest four-star fertile was Severn Trent, the bureau said successful its yearly show assessment.

The fig of superior incidents, successful which "significant" biology harm was caused, accrued by 60% past twelvemonth compared to 2023.

Just 3 companies were liable for the immense bulk of incidents.

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Thames Water - the country's biggest supplier - Southern Water and Yorkshire Water were liable for 81% of each incidents.

Only 2 firms retired of 9 - Northumbrian Water and Wessex Water - recorded nary superior incidents.

More monitoring, inspections and information person meant that cognition of contamination successful English waterways is present greater than ever. In turn, the magnitude of reporting has been greater.

Other factors driving the figures are underinvestment and mediocre attraction of infrastructure, arsenic good arsenic bedewed and stormy weather.

Firms person again been called connected by the Environment Agency to "urgently" amended their performance. There had antecedently been a inclination of betterment since records began successful 2011, but the latest figures indicated a "dip".

In summation to contamination incidents, companies were assessed connected self-reporting and compliance with permits.

A abstracted study by h2o regulator Ofwat published connected Thursday showed "mixed" show with improvements successful sewer flooding and tube leakage, but lone 2 companies reported a simplification successful contamination incidents implicit 5 years.

Regulation of the assemblage has been criticised successful a once-in-a-generation reappraisal of the h2o manufacture by vocation civilian servant Sir Jon Cunliffe. In the aftermath of it, the authorities says Ofwat is to beryllium retired.

Pressure has mounted connected utilities crossed the UK arsenic the nationalist has sought enactment connected mediocre h2o prime and rising bills.

Thames Water, successful particular, is struggling nether a £20bn indebtedness heap with the authorities lining up insolvency practitioners.