Water-and-sewerage-companies-in-England-environmental-performance-summary-graphic-2024.

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Water-and-sewerage-companies-in-England-environmental-performance-summary-graphic-2024.pdf

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This year’s results are poor. The 9 companies collectively achieved a total of 19 stars, down from 25 in 2023 and the lowest since the EPA process began in 2011. Only a single company – Severn Trent Water – achieved 4 star status. Many companies tell us how focussed they are on environmental improvement. But the results are not visible in the data.This does not mean that performance has declined since 2011 when we started this annual report. We have tightened the criteria in many ways since then to meet rising expectations for performance. But the 2024 results bring to an end a steady trend of improvement based on consistent criteria for star ratings 2011 to 2024.Of particular concern is the continued rise in numbers of pollution incidents in recent years, a trend that has become particularly pronounced in 2024. Serious pollution incidents, those causing significant environmental harm, have increased by 60% this year alone. Thames Water, Southern Water and Yorkshire Water were responsible for 81% of these serious incidents. In sharp contrast Northumbrian Water and Wessex Water recorded none. Water companies must address the root causes of these pollution incidents through their pollution incident reduction plans, so they deliver long lasting improvements. So, what caused this serious decline in 2024? We can identify three factors. First, it was undoubtedly a very wet and stormy year which does put extra pressure on water company assets. This is never an excuse, but it is undeniably a factor. That said, the public rightly expect water company assets to be resilient to changing weather conditions. Second, the long-standing issues with underinvestment and poor maintenance of assets continue to impact on performance. And third, it seems that increased monitoring, inspection and awareness of the issues is bringing more failings to light. In the long run, this unprecedented transparency can only be a good thing.