As many people unwind post-Christmas, numerous individuals will partake in the daring tradition of taking a dip in icy seas and rivers on Boxing Day. Throughout my travels to various water bodies nationwide, I have been consistently reminded of the challenges we face with our water systems. Yet, the current government remains committed to implementing significant reforms to establish a trustworthy system. Recent findings from the Environment Agency indicate that 93% of bathing waters now adhere to swimming standards, marking a positive improvement from the previous year.
During a visit to a bathing water location in Nottingham, regular swimmers shared their year-round swimming habits, even breaking ice to swim in the winter months. Efforts have been initiated to modernize bathing water monitoring procedures, making them more adaptable to people’s swimming habits. The enactment of the Water (Special Measures) Act in February brought about the most stringent enforcement framework ever witnessed in the sector. This legislation introduced criminal accountability for water executives concealing illegal sewage discharges and the authority to prohibit unjust bonuses, preventing £4 million in bonuses for ten water executives this past summer.
Plans are underway to enforce automatic penalties for water companies to swiftly address any misconduct. The Environment Agency’s water regulation budget has been raised to £189 million for 2025/26, the highest amount allocated to date, with a target of conducting 10,000 inspections during that period, a significant surge from previous years. Additionally, a record number of 87 investigations into water companies have been conducted.
In a move to safeguard customers and businesses in cases of water company failures, minimum compensation rates were doubled this summer, and compensation for boil notices was introduced for the first time. These actions aim to mitigate instances of service disruptions such as the recent incident in Tunbridge Wells.
The primary aim upon assuming office was to ensure people could swim and enjoy water activities in their local areas with confidence. A substantial £104 billion has been secured for upgrading critical infrastructure over the next five years. The upcoming Water White Paper, set for release in the New Year, will outline a roadmap for long-term reform, including proposals for a new unified water regulator. Progress is evident, indicating a positive shift in the tide, yet there is still more work to be done.