Public confidence drops as consumers blame water companies for weather-related supply failures, according to new research
February 2026 - Utilities
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Public confidence drops as consumers blame water companies for weather-related supply failures, according to new research:New research suggests that the majority of the UK public does not accept weather events as the primary cause of water supply outages and is growing increasingly frustrated by water companies attributing supply disruptions to extreme weather events caused by climate change.
A survey by the Harris Poll UK for Utility Week surveyed 1,000 UK consumers to understand public perceptions of what lies at the heart of the recent spate of water supply issues and found that less than a fifth (17%) accept weather as the main explanation.
The findings indicate that over a third (35%) of the public believes that outdated infrastructure and long-term underinvestment are the primary causes of recent supply issues. Additionally, more than a quarter (28%) attribute these problems to poor management and planning. The report warns that water companies may undermine public confidence and trust if they continue to evade their obligation to provide a reliable service by shifting blame elsewhere.
The report also highlights that the monopoly status enjoyed by water companies raises public expectations for greater accountability. Customers want transparency regarding how their bills contribute to improved service delivery and enhancements in infrastructure and resilience planning. Data indicates that two-fifths (40%) of customers believe that visible investments are essential for rebuilding trust in their suppliers. Explanations related to weather events are regarded as inadequate and misleading, as infrastructure should already be designed to withstand such challenges.
Speaking about the findings,Steve Brockway, Chief Research Officer at The Harris Poll UK, says: When companies blame external factors while the public sees internal failures, it creates a credibility problem that compounds the original service issue. Water companies’ risk being seen as deflecting responsibility rather than addressing root causes."
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