Protecting our rivers

The Liberal Democrats are taking action to reform the water companies amid the ongoing crisis in the industry.

They have tabled a new Bill in Parliament which would transform firms, such as the disgraced Thames Water, into “Public Good Companies”. Under the plans, water firms would no longer prioritise profit over the environment. The companies’ boards would be reformed, to include environment experts, and become far more open and transparent to the public.

The Liberal Democrats have slammed water firms for handing out large amounts of profits to overseas investors and excessive bonuses to their CEOs. It has also been revealed that some firms (including Thames Water) borrowed £ billions to pay these dividends instead of investing in vital sewage infrastructure. 

Local campaigner, Chris Coghlan said, 

"The climate and nature emergencies are the most pressing threats to prosperity facing the UK and the world. Our children should inherit the future they deserve.

“The potential collapse of Thames Water must be a wake up call. This Tory government seems more interested in protecting big business than its citizens or the environment.

“There is no time to waste in ripping up this scandalous industry. Thames Water is treating its customers like fools. Over many years, they have forked out insulting payouts to overseas investors and senior executives, but are still releasing sewage into our stretch of the River Mole and its upstream tributaries - for a staggering 6,000 hours during 2022 alone.

“Water firms must stop putting their profits before our environment. These firms need reform from top to bottom. This law would be an important first step to finally turning around this sinking ship.”

Data source used for Map: Thames Water reporting to Environment Agency 2022.
Our map shows the number of hours Thames Water discharged sewage into our stretch of the River Mole and its upstream tributaries in 2022.