26 Feb 2026
Image description: Water jets from a fountain suspended in the air. Image by Geoffrey Crofte on Unsplash A new factual drama from Channel 4, Dirty Business, charts the real stories of the pollution of England’s waterways since the water companies were privatised in 1989. To mark the first episode airing this week, Channel 4 unveiled a dramatic new art installation, ‘a fountain of filth’, on London’s South Bank. […]
26 Feb 2026
Image description: A brown sewage outflow pipe is embedded in rocks, with water gushing into a body of water. Image by Jacob Antony on Unsplash Research shared exclusively with the New Statesman reveals Thames Water illegally polluted waterways with raw sewage at least 8,499 times between 2021 and 2025, showing five years of new regulations have failed to address the company’s environmental degradation, according to the […]
26 Feb 2026
Image description: A red and white sign nailed to a wooden fence is in the foreground, with a sandy beach and sea in the background. The sign reads “beach closed, no swimming”. Image by YM, Unsplash. A group legal claim against South West Water (SSW) alleging sewage pollution into coastal waters is harming businesses and individuals has been extended across Devon and Cornwall. […]
19 Feb 2026
Highest superbug concentrations detected near major sewage outfalls Image description: A variety of different coloured tablets packaged in foil layered on top of one another. Photo by Volodymyr Hryshchenko on Unsplash A new study has uncovered widespread traces of antibiotic-resistant bacteria across Oxford’s river systems, sparking urgent warnings about public health and the environmental impact of sewage discharges. […]
19 Feb 2026
Image description: A wide view of a lake, grass and mountains in Cockermouth Cumbria. Photo by Joy Roxas on Unsplash Discovery and investigation of ‘toxic pollution hotspots’ The Guardian has exclusively revealed a number of ‘toxic pollution hotspots’ has been uncovered across Cumbria and Lancashire, with high levels of the banned cancer-causing “forever chemical” Pfos detected in rivers and groundwater at 25 sites. Pfos is a type of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substance (Pfas), […]
19 Feb 2026
Proposals include first ever designated bathing spot on River Thames Image description: The river Thames flowing under Tower Bridge, with heavy boat traffic. Photo by: Pietro de Grandi, Unsplash The government has proposed 13 new designated swimming locations, including the first ever official bathing spot in London’s River Thames. Achieving designated status means these locations will undergo regular water quality testing by […]
12 Feb 2026
Photo by RDNE Stock project: https://www.pexels.com/photo/person-working-on-documents-7821540/ The Chartered Institute of Internal Auditors (Chartered IIA) has urged the UK Government to address what it sees as a significant governance gap in the water sector, warning that the lack of any regulatory requirement for internal audit in England and Wales is contributing to ongoing operational failures. In a letter to […]
12 Feb 2026
Image description: Overlapping pound notes. Image by Pixabay A Guardian exclusive has reported ministers are planning to close legal loopholes surrounding bans on water boss bonuses, after legislation brought in last year was reportedly ‘outwitted’ and failing firms continue to pay millions to executives. Attempted ban The previous environment secretary Steve Reed attempted to […]
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