South West Water Named Worst Environmental Performer Among English Water Utilities

South West Water has recorded the poorest environmental performance among water utilities in England, releasing more sewage across its southwestern region than any other supplier, according to an analysis by environmental advocacy group Friends of the Earth.

The evaluation examined English water companies across six criteria: sewage spill duration, water quality at official swimming locations, pollution warnings at bathing sites, the severity of local sewage contamination, the proportion of rivers failing ecological standards, and overall bill affordability. South West Water ranked within the bottom three performers in four of those six categories.

Between 2024 and 2025, South West Water accumulated an annual average of 574,323 hours of sewage discharges. This total exceeded the release durations of the next worst performers, Severn Trent and Yorkshire Water, by almost 200,000 hours. Furthermore, the company logged 666 pollution warnings or warnings of pollution incidents in 2025 across the 157 designated bathing spots within its service territory, which covers Devon, Cornwall, and portions of Dorset and Somerset.

Financial metrics compiled in the report show that South West Water’s 1.8 million customers face average yearly bills of £726. Household rates for the provider have risen by 39 percent since 2024, marking the second-highest rate increase in England. Southern Water recorded the highest overall consumer bills in the country, as well as the largest price hike, adding £281 to the average annual bill over the same period.

Responding to the report, a spokesperson for South West Water emphasized that the firm manages over a third of England’s designated bathing waters. The representative stated that storm overflow releases had fallen 17 percent and spill durations dropped 25 percent over the past year despite increased regional rainfall. The company added that it remains on track to fulfill Environment Act standards by 2030, five years ahead of the legal deadline. Industry trade body Water UK noted that suppliers are tripling capital investment over five years to cut storm spills by half and upgrade 1,700 treatment plants.

Campaigners from Friends of the Earth urged the UK government to introduce comprehensive clean water legislation and consider bringing utility providers back under public ownership. Kierra Box, a campaigner for the group, stated that ministers must be “committing to a complete overhaul of our water system.” The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs described high pollution levels as “totally unacceptable” and stated that upcoming legislative reforms would expand public control over water companies while controlling costs.

Background

The UK water industry in England was privatised in 1989, creating regional monopoly companies responsible for water supply and wastewater management. In recent years, public outrage has intensified over frequent sewage spills into rivers and coastal areas, leading to increased political scrutiny and calls for regulatory reform or nationalisation.

Designated bathing waters in England are monitored by the Environment Agency during the official summer swimming season to assess water safety and protect public health. Under the Environment Act, water companies face statutory targets to reduce environmental harm and storm overflow discharges.

Financial pressures across the sector have also heightened debate over public control. Reports citing unnamed sources indicated that ministers have considered revising utility insolvency rules to facilitate potential public takeovers, though concerns over financial costs and legal risks have paused proposals regarding major suppliers such as Thames Water.