England’s water companies recorded 75 serious pollution incidents in 2024, a 60% increase on the previous year, according to the Environment Agency’s annual environmental performance assessment. More than four-fifths of the most damaging discharges were attributed to three operators—Thames Water (33 incidents), Southern Water (15) and Yorkshire Water (13)—in events that hit bathing waters and protected wildlife sites. The findings have intensified pressure from Parliament. In a report published in June, the Commons Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Select Committee labelled the industry “failing” and “deaf to the crisis”, urging “root-and-branch reform”. MPs said persistent sewage spills, heavy debt loads and multimillion-pound executive bonuses have eroded public trust and called on the government-commissioned Independent Water Commission, led by Sir Jon Cunliffe, to examine alternative ownership and tougher regulation of dividends and debt. A separate Public Accounts Committee review, issued on 18 July, criticised weak political oversight and regulatory enforcement, warning that incentives designed to curb pollution and curb boardroom pay have had little effect. Together, the reports add momentum to demands for stricter compliance rules and potential structural change across England’s privatised water sector.