A growing campaign to bring water back under UK ownership is gathering momentum, with a new petition sparking fresh debate. It comes as backers say it’s time to rethink how the nation’s water is managed.
Anglers have been sounding the alarm over the declining state of UK rivers for more than a decade, but in recent years the issue has moved firmly into the public spotlight.
Between 2024 and the end of 2025, there were approximately 883,970 recorded incidents of untreated sewage discharged into rivers, totalling an estimated 5.5 million hours of spill time. Critics say this is only part of the picture, with many more incidents that never get reported.
The issue has become increasingly political, with growing pressure on water companies and regulators to act. Campaigners argue that years of underinvestment and weak oversight have left rivers in crisis, while supporters of public ownership believe it could lead to greater accountability and long-term protection of the UK’s waterways.
Despite repeated promises from successive governments, many argue that little meaningful change has followed. This has left sections of the public, particularly anglers, questioning whether those with the power to implement real reform genuinely have the will to protect the country’s rivers. All while households in the UK are experiencing steep increases in their water bills.
Amid this growing frustration over the current state of the nation’s rivers, campaigners say the situation has reached a point of desperation. In response, a petition has been launched calling for water to be brought back under UK ownership, with supporters hoping it will add further pressure for meaningful reform. The petition can be signed here.
