Anglian Water rated worst for pollution for fifth year

Summarised from BBC Beds Bucks And Herts's report · Updated 4 Nov, 06:17 · Archive

Anglian Water has been rated 'requires improvement' by regulators for the fifth consecutive year and recorded 12 serious pollution incidents in 2025.

Anglian Water has been rated 'requires improvement' for the fifth consecutive year after recording 12 serious pollution incidents in 2025. The company, which reported operating profits of £636m this year, experienced 368 pollution incidents overall. Eight of England's nine water companies were rated as 'poor' or 'requiring improvement' by government regulators.

Scientists and campaigners say high levels of pollution remain in the region's waterways, from the River Great Ouse in Bedfordshire to the River Deben in Suffolk, despite Anglian Water's claims that bathing waters are their cleanest in a decade. Deben Climate Centre scientist David Findley said much pollution came from Anglian Water treatment works, including from combined storm overflows at sewage works, where water and sewage vent directly into rivers during heavy rainfall, and from failing pumping stations.

Anglian Water admitted it had 'more to do' but said it was taking pollution seriously. The company faces court proceedings in January over an alleged incident near Whittlesey, Cambridgeshire, which killed 900 fish. Campaigners are calling for increased investment from the company.

Read the report

• Which Anglian Water areas are worst for pollution?Campaigners call for more investment as the company says bathing waters are the cleanest in years.BBC Beds Bucks And Herts · 4 Nov, 05:45

In this story: Anglian Water · Cambridgeshire · East of England · Bedfordshire · Suffolk · Deben Climate Centre · River Deben · River Great Ouse

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