Lib Dems: Water company performance farce needs Government plan immediately

Back in July 2026 the Liberal Democrats proposed returning water companies to public hands not through traditional state-run nationalisation, but by shifting them into a CUSTOMER-OWNER MUTUAL (or Public Benefit Companies). The plan also includes an end to the Great Sewage Cover Up by forcing water companies to report volume, not just duration of sewage spills. Sadly the Labour Government is still dithering as to what to do. 

Meanwhile, reports from regulators state that environmental performance of water companies has fallen again!  Liberal Democrat Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Spokesperson, Tim Farron MP, said: “...... The  water industry is a disgrace”. He went on to say “Our plan is the best plan -  it would put water back in public hands without paying billions to shareholders, what is the Government waiting for?”

Alongside this and as we recently reported Lib Dems are calling for a water overhaul and farm reservoir expansion and a new ‘blue flag’ status for rivers and chalk streams as proposed by Liberal Democrat MP, James MacCleary.  Lib Dems believe that action is needed well before the next round of heat waves in 2027. 

James MacCleary MP pressures the Government over water issues

James said “I have met with the Government to discuss the severe drought affecting parts of the constituency and the particularly concerning situation at Ardingly Reservoir. South East Water’s recent figures for November put Ardingly at just 19.1% full and Arlington at 40.5% according to South East Water. This remains a worrying level, particularly as we look ahead to the need to rebuild reserves before next summer. I’ll keep pressing for action to protect supplies now and make our water infrastructure more resilient for the future. Residents need confidence that the system can cope with longer dry periods, rather than facing the same uncertainty whenever we have a hot summer”.

Check out James's video update on Facebook