Anglian Water 'requires improvement' again

Anglian Water has been criticised for its environmental impact and told it "requires improvement" for the fifth year in a row.

The company, which provides water supply and sewage treatment across the east of England, was inspected by regulators.

The firm registered 12 "serious pollution incidents" in 2025, its second highest figure of the last 14 years.

An Anglian Water spokesperson said: "We are making great progress in the delivery of our biggest ever investment programme, with over £2bn due to be spent on environmental improvements right across the east of England through to 2030."

The report detailed that the total number of its sewerage pollution incidents in 2025 was 368 and the firm was given the lowest possible red rating - meaning it was "significantly below target."

That figure was a reduction from 437 in 2024 - however still well above the 149 needed to achieve a green rating, which would have meant targets were met.

Anglian Water also received a red rating for the number of "serious pollution incidents".

An amber rating, meaning targets were missed, was handed out for being compliant with discharge permits.

Green ratings were given for sludge disposal, self reporting of pollution incidents and delivering environmental projects.

In September 2025, water services regulator Ofwat said Anglian Water must spend £62.8m on improvements because of "excessive" sewage spills in times of storms.

Adrian Ramsay, Green MP for Waveney Valley, said: "Five years of failure, five years of Anglian Water polluting our rivers.

"Our communities deserve better. That is why it is long past time to take water into public ownership."

The critical report came as it emerged the environmental performance of water companies declined again last year despite industry investment, according to the first joint report by regulators.

The report looked at Environmental Performance Assessment (EPA) metrics and gave water companies an overall star rating.

Anglian Water received two stars out of a possible four.

Environment Secretary Dame Angela Eagle said she was "demanding answers from the companies that are failing" and would be "shining a spotlight on the worst offences around the country".

An Anglian Water spokesperson said "record investment is beginning to make a difference", pointing to reductions in spills from storm overflows and pollution events.

"We know though that we need to do more to continue to improve our environmental performance, and we are particularly focussed on driving the number of pollution incidents, particularly those of a serious nature, down further, as these remain the main driver of our two-star EPA rating.

"We are determined to build on our progress and deliver the environmental improvements our customers and communities rightly expect as the climate continues to become more unpredictable."

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