The Drinking Water Inspectorate, Environment Agency, Natural Resources Wales, and Ofwat have collaborated on the inaugural Water Industry Performance Insights report. This initiative aims to provide the public, government, and industry with a single, transparent view of the sector's operations and accountability.
The report highlights mixed performance, with drinking water quality remaining exceptionally high at 99.97% compliance. Significant reductions in internal sewer flooding have been achieved, down by 43% in recent years. However, challenges persist, particularly concerning pollution incidents, which numbered 2,991 in 2025, including 84 classed as serious. Environmental improvement actions were completed on time in only 93.7% of cases.
Marcus Rink, Chief Inspector of the Drinking Water Inspectorate, expressed confidence in the UK's drinking water quality, while Philip Duffy, Chief Executive at the Environment Agency, acknowledged that the sector is still falling short on wastewater and river cleanliness, vowing to increase inspections and enforcement.
Helen Campbell, Interim Executive Director for Delivery at Ofwat, noted that while some companies are stepping up, performance remains inconsistent. Ceri Davies, Chief Executive of Natural Resources Wales, emphasised that improving water quality is a significant challenge, with more work needed despite progress in some areas.
Regulators have committed to using the full range of tools, including fines and enforcement action, against underperforming companies. Water companies have pledged record investment of over £104 billion for 2025 to 2030 to upgrade networks, with regulators focused on ensuring this investment delivers tangible benefits for customers and the environment.
