All but one water company<\/a> was rated as \u201crequiring improvement\u201d for its environmental performance in 2024, which means they received one or two stars out of four.<\/p>\n Collectively water companies received 19 out of a possible 36 stars, which is the lowest performance since the exercise began in 2011. <\/p>\n New FeatureIn ShortQuick Stories. Same trusted journalism.<\/p>\n Thames Water was the only company to receive one star and Severn Trent was the only one to receive four stars. All other companies received two stars. <\/p>\n Water companies are rated based on a number of factors, including pollution incidents, such as sewage and chemical spills<\/a>, as well as the general compliance of their sewage treatment works. <\/p>\n The most serious pollution incidents increased by 60 per cent between 2023 and 2024, with three companies \u2013 Thames Water, Southern Water and Yorkshire Water \u2013 responsible for 81 per cent of these, the report said. <\/p>\n James Wallace, CEO of the campaign group River Action, said the figures were \u201cdeeply concerning\u201d and the \u201coverall picture remains one of systemic failure across much of the industry\u201d. <\/p>\n The EA said there were three main factors contributing to last year\u2019s poor performance: wet weather, underinvestment in infrastructure and a boost in inspections. <\/p>\n Water UK, which represents the industry, agreed \u201cthe performance of some companies is not good enough\u201d.<\/p>\n \u201cThese results cover the final year of a failed system before record levels of investment began to flow,\u201d a spokesperson added.<\/p>\n Water companies have been given permission to increase customer bills<\/a> in order to invest \u00a3104bn in their networks over the next five-years.<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/SEI_271498441.jpg\")
The Environmental Agency has released a report rating water company performance<\/p>\n