As the UK’s water infrastructure continues to crumble, the nation faces a growing crisis that has left tens of thousands without access to clean, reliable water supplies. In recent weeks, outages in Kent and East Sussex have left over 30,000 properties without water, the latest in a long line of breakdowns across the country.
The situation has become so dire that Tunbridge Wells MP Mike Martin has called for the resignation of South East Water’s boss, accusing the company of losing “all credibility.” The MP described the scale of the problem as “immense and widespread,” estimating losses of tens of millions of pounds for local businesses, disruptions to children’s education, and risks to the elderly and vulnerable.
The water woes extend beyond just supply issues. Serious sewage spills across the UK rose by a staggering 60% in 2025, with Thames Water alone responsible for over a third of the 75 major incidents recorded by the Environment Agency. Facing financial collapse, Thames Water has been granted permission to raise bills by 35% over the next five years, outraging customers who have seen the company pay out £10 billion in shareholder dividends since privatisation.
Neighbouring Southern Water has also faced its fair share of crises, including a major outage in Hastings over the 2024 Christmas period and the catastrophic spill of millions of plastic bio-beads into the sea. Local MP Helena Dollimore accused the company of neglecting infrastructure in favour of shareholder payouts.
As the government prepares to unveil a long-awaited plan to clean up the UK’s waterways, campaigners warn that half-measures will not be enough. Giles Bristow of Surfers Against Sewage says the legislation must be bold and tackle the root causes, rather than propping up a “broken system.”
The crisis has sparked renewed calls for the water industry to be restructured, with the Liberal Democrats proposing a public benefit model that would see companies operate as not-for-profit entities. However, the government has rejected nationalisation, arguing it would be too costly and disruptive.
With water company bosses facing public backlash and increasing pressure to resign, the future of the UK’s water infrastructure remains uncertain. As the crisis deepens, the public’s patience is wearing thin, and a comprehensive, long-term solution appears more crucial than ever.
