Make your voice heard with our no-nonsense, question-by-question guidance for responding to the Water Commission’s Call For Evidence.
RESPOND TO THE INDEPENDENT WATER COMMISSION
Water: A Story of Hope
The Problem
- In 2023, water companies dumped raw sewage into England’s rivers, lakes, and seas for 3.6 million hours across 464,000 incidents.
- Meanwhile they waste over 3 billion litres of drinking water every day putting water security at risk for our growing population.
- Since privatisation, £73 billion of bill payers’ money has lined investors’ pockets while water companies racked up £65 billion in debt.
- There have been only 59 pollution prosecutions since 2015 resulting in £150 million in fines—a mere 0.001% of water companies’ combined debt and dividends.
- Meanwhile, the Environment Agency’s enforcement budget has been slashed by 70% since 2010, letting polluters off the hook, worsened by further cuts by a new Government fixated on economic growth.
Our Solutions
The Independent Water Commission is chaired by Sir John Cunliffe. He will present his findings and recommendations to the Government by the end of June 2025. River Action is providing compelling submissions to the Commission asking it to:
End the failed privatisation experiment and stop investors plundering our sewage system and water resources. Bring back accountability, and put the environment and communities first.
Adopt proven financial and governance models that prioritise clean rivers and protect customers. Learn from Germany, Denmark and Switzerland where public, private and not-for-profit finance is blended, with communities represented on water company boards.
Properly fund, empower and restructure the Environment Agency and Ofwat to protect rivers and wildlife, combining local municipal oversight with national resource planning and regulation.
No more excuses—ensure polluters face real consequences for breaking the law – with tougher penalties that incentivise investment in fixing the problem, and no more loopholes.
Pass ambitious legislation using the Commission’s recommendations for water industry and regulatory reform in the next parliamentary session.
Make the agricultural sector accountable for its role in river health with a review into the causes of and solutions to farm pollution, championing pioneering farmers and regenerative practices.
What we have done
We’ve taken action where it counts—writing directly to Steve Reed, the Secretary of State for Environment, Ministers to demand a full review of the water industry and much-needed reform of its regulators.
But we didn’t stop there. Through the electrifying March for Clean Water, we unleashed massive public pressure on the Government. Hundreds of communities from every corner of the country joined forces, and our coordinated national media campaign amplified their voices, demanding change on a monumental scale.
Our efforts paid off. The Government responded by establishing the Independent Water Commission—and River Action earned a seat at the table. We joined the inaugural meeting, contributing bold suggestions for restructuring water companies and holding them accountable like never before. Change is on the horizon!
What We Are Doing
We’re tapping into the expertise of top minds, working with renowned academics like Professor Ewan McGaughey, Professor David Hall, and Dr. Laurence Jones to explore smarter, fairer ways of financing, governing, and regulating water companies.
At the same time, we’re rolling up our sleeves to draft impactful submissions to the Independent Water Commission, teaming up with Seahorse Environmental and our trusted allies in campaigning and political advocacy, including Surfers Against Sewage.
But our influence doesn’t stop there. We’re driving change across the board—engaging MPs through the newly formed APPG on Water Pollution, inspiring environmental NGOs through Wildlife and Countryside Link, and empowering grassroots activists and community groups to make their voices heard in the Commission’s consultation.
Take Action
If you want to see Britain’s rivers clean and thriving, there are many actions you can take to make a difference.
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Latest News
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