As thousands of people across England brave icy waters for
traditional Boxing Day swims, the government reflects on a year
of action in cleaning up the nation's
rivers, lakes and seas.
This follows last month's
results showing that 93% of bathing sites meet
standards for swimming - an encouraging improvement on last
year.
In 2025, decisive action was taken to reset
the water sector, strengthen regulation and drive long-term
investment, all aimed at restoring public trust and protecting
the waters people enjoy.
The government has:
- Passed the landmark Water (Special Measures) Act, introducing
the toughest enforcement powers in a decade,
including criminal liability for water bosses who cover up
illegal sewage spills and the power to ban unfair bonuses,
which has seen more than £4 million pounds in bonuses
banned across six water companies this year.
- Ringfenced water company investment, ensuring customers'
money is spent on fixing pipes, reducing
sewage spills and improving water quality, not
dividends or bonuses.
- Given the Environment Agency teeth, allowing the regulator to
recover enforcement costs from polluters, significantly
boost inspections, and issue penalties more quickly without
having to direct resources to lengthy
investigations.
- Improved transparency, requiring real-time monitoring at
every emergency overflow so the public can see what is happening
in their local waters.
- Boosted protections for customers, doubling compensation when
basic water services fail and making it easier for vulnerable
households to access bill support.
These measures are underpinned by over £104
billion in private investment, secured at the end of
last year, to upgrade water infrastructure over the next
five years – the largest programme since privatisation – creating
jobs, supporting new homes and cutting pollution.
This government is also reforming our bathing water regulations
to lift prescriptive rules on bathing seasons and de-designation;
and to protect public health.
Water Minister said:
Boxing Day swims are a brilliant reminder of how much people
value their rivers, lakes and seas.
This year we've taken tough, long-overdue action to
protect them – increasing bathing water
quality, blocking millions in bonuses and
unlocking record investment to clean up our
waterways.
And we're not stopping there. Next year
we will set out long-term reforms to build upon
this work and create a water sector fit for the future.
Building on this action, the government will publish a Water
White Paper in the new year, setting out comprehensive long-term
plans to reform the water sector.
This continues the biggest overhaul of the water industry since
privatisation, by strengthening regulation, reducing pollution,
and accelerating the delivery of vital infrastructure.
It follows the announcement earlier this year of plans to
abolish Ofwat and replace the current fragmented system with a
single, powerful water regulator to give investors clarity, water
companies clear expectations, and customers a renewed confidence
in the system.
