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September 2023 - Utilities

Just one water company in England has maintained its 4-star rating in the latest EPA report: An annual report by the Environment Agency looking at the environmental performance of water and sewerage companies in England has revealed that just one company, Severn Trent Water, has maintained its 4-star rating.

The Environmental Performance Assessment (EPA) has been used annually since 2011 to rate the environmental performance of water and sewerage companies in England using a star system of up to 4 stars (where 4 is the highest). To allocate a grading, water companies are assessed in a number of areas including performance on environmental commitments such as pollution incidents, as well as treatment work compliance. For the 2022 survey an updated reporting approach was also introduced, with revised metrics and tightened performance thresholds.

While Severn Trent Water held on to its 4-start rating, United Utilities and Northumbrian Water, who were also 4-star rated in the 2021 survey, saw their rating drop to 3 stars following the latest assessment. Southern Water and South West Water saw their rating rise from 1 star last year, to 2 in the latest survey.

The other findings which were published on July 12 are as follows:

• Severn Trent Water – 4 stars (same as 2021 result)
• Northumbrian Water – 3 stars, down from 4 stars
• United Utilities – 3 stars, down from 4 stars
• Yorkshire Water – 3 stars, up from 2 stars
• Anglian Water – 2 stars, (same as 2021 result)
• Thames Water – 2 stars, (same as 2021 result)
• Wessex Water – 2 stars, (same as 2021 result)
• Southern Water – 2 stars, up from 1 star
• South West Water – 2 stars, up from 1 star

The press release for the Environment Agency also noted that while there have been some 'modest improvements' since last year’s findings, the level of pollution seen is still unacceptable, and "all water companies need to go further and faster."

Self-reporting incidents

Also revealed by the report was that self-reporting was as its highest level since the survey began in 2011, at 82%, however, when it comes to reporting serious incidents, it was much lower (48%).  And while there has been a reduction in serious pollution incidents in 2022 (44, from 62 in 2021), the Environment Agency states that these "remain unacceptably high". It also notes that more than half of the serious pollution incidents were from assets of Anglian Water and Thames Water, with enforcement action taken against both companies.

Speaking about the findings, Environment Agency Chair, Alan Lovell said:

“Regulators, water companies, government, eNGOs and many others all want the same thing: better environmental outcomes, including cleaner rivers and seas. We need to work together and take collective responsibility to achieve it.

“While there have been some modest improvements, it is unacceptable to still be seeing this level of pollution. We have seen a distinct culture shift from the water industry in recent months and that is welcome – but that must translate to profound, long-term change.”

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