Sewage spills in UK waters have once again drawn fierce criticism, with campaign group Surfers Against Sewage saying today’s sweeping review of the industry still fails to put public health first. The new report, led by former Bank of England deputy governor Sir Jon Cunliffe, lays bare decades of under‑investment and poor regulation that have allowed untreated waste to enter rivers, coastal waters and even urban waterways, sparking growing concern from coastal communities and city residents alike.
Water Minister Emma Hardy described the review as “stage three of a revolution,” building on recent moves to strip bonuses from under‑performing water bosses and introduce criminal liability for failures. She confirmed that ministers would work through the recommendations over the summer before drafting new legislation.
Environmental group Surfers Against Sewage offered a sharply different take. Chief executive Giles Bristow dismissed the proposals as
“putting lipstick on a pig,”
saying the review “utterly fails to prioritise public benefit over private profit.” Bristow added, “Only one path forward remains: a full, systemic transformation that ends the ruthless pursuit of profit and puts the public good at the heart of our water services.”
The debate over water regulation has been gathering pace in recent years as old infrastructure struggles with heavier rainfall, larger populations and ageing pipes. Combined sewer systems, a Victorian innovation, can no longer cope in many areas, leading to discharges that spill untreated effluent into rivers even during dry weather. This happens through overflow points that are only meant to be used in emergencies, breaching permits and drawing fines.
Sir Jon’s report argues that decades of underinvestment now require huge sums to catch up. He accepts that bills have risen sharply and will continue to rise as networks are upgraded, but insists that clearer long‑term planning and streamlined oversight will prevent the kind of failures that have fuelled public anger.
Among the reforms are a new ombudsman with powers to resolve disputes and secure compensation when water services fall short, and a proposed “social tariff” to support vulnerable households. Sir Jon told broadcasters, “What annoys the public is when the pay is there, and the performance is not,” pointing to recent controversies over executive pay at utilities that continue to discharge sewage and issue dividends.
Surfers Against Sewage, known for monitoring water quality at popular beaches and river sites, argue that these structural problems also affect communities far inland. Their campaigning has highlighted the links between urban drainage systems, upstream treatment works and coastal ecosystems, where poor water quality can devastate marine life and close areas to swimming and fishing. The group welcomed the idea of a national strategy but warned that without deeper reform, the same failures will continue. For anyone wondering what this means where they swim or paddle, the charity tracks real-time data from beaches and rivers. You can check their detailed updates on local water quality here, which many campaigners say is a crucial step towards holding companies to account.
Water UK, which represents the companies themselves, has acknowledged shortcomings and says it supports stronger regulation, though it stresses that investment can only be made within limits set by the regulator. Environment Secretary Steve Reed has signalled he will use the report as the basis for a new white paper in the autumn.
The coming months will reveal how many of the recommendations are adopted, but with infrastructure under pressure and public trust fraying, the question remains whether this latest review will deliver change that can be seen and felt beyond the boardroom.
For more updates on the future of water management and wider environmental reporting, visit EyeOnLondon — and we’d love to hear your views in the comments.
[Image Credit | National Maritime Museum Cornwall]
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