https://morningstaronline.co.uk/article/pollution-figures-latest-indicator-water-sector-total-chaos

CALLS to nationalise the water sector intensified yesterday after it emerged that serious pollution incidents in England jumped by 60 per cent last year.

The Environment Agency reported 75 major incidents that fell under categories one and two, which can severely harm the environment and human health.

Serious incidents doubled from 14 to 33 at crisis-hit Thames Water, the watchdog found.

Southern Water was responsible for 15 of the incidents and Yorkshire Water for 13.

Pollution incidents across all categories had increased by 29 per cent, with 2,801 recorded last year. 

Thames Water recorded the most incidents again at 523, followed by Anglian Water (482) and United Utilities (376).

The rise was attributed to underinvestment in new infrastructure, poor asset maintenance and reduced resilience due to the impacts of climate change. 

We Own It founder Cat Hobbs said the figures “are the latest indicator of a water sector in total chaos.

“The roots of this chaos extend all the way back to when Thatcher privatised water in the 1980s — effectively flogging the family silver for a quick buck.

“Since then, private shareholders have stuffed their pockets with gold, amassing £80 billion in payouts. 

“They’ve killed our rivers and let the infrastructure crumble, while bill-payers pick up the tab.

“Recent research shows that the cost of public ownership could be close to zero. This solution could also save the public £3-5bn a year, making publicly owned water a source of income for the Treasury.”

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