Anglian Water given damning report over sewage leaks
A damning report has revealed how many sewage leaks have occurred under Anglian Water in the past 12 months.
It is the 5th year in a row Anglian Water has been given the rating – and the sixth year out of the last seven.
Given the poor scores – and the fact the ratings have been consistently low over a number of years – The Peterborough Telegraph asked Anglian Water what is being done to make improvements – and why residents should believe work is being done that will make that improvement?
A spokesperson for Anglian Water replied: “We are making great progress in the delivery of our biggest-ever investment programme, with over £2bn due to be spent on environmental improvements right across the East of England through to 2030. While it will take time for the full impact to be seen, record investment is beginning to make a difference - in 2025, we saw a 62% reduction in spills from storm overflows, improved our treatment works compliance, cut the amount of harmful nutrients such as phosphate entering the environment and, importantly, reduced the number of pollution events by 16%.”
“We know though that we need to do more to continue to improve our environmental performance, and we are particularly focussed on driving the number of pollution incidents, particularly those of a serious nature, down further, as these remain the main driver of our two-star EPA rating.
“We are determined to build on our progress and deliver the environmental improvements our customers and communities rightly expect as the climate continues to become more unpredictable.”
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In the report, water and sewerage companies are given ratings – either red, amber or green – on various metrics, including the number of sewerage pollution incidents, number of serious pollution incidents, and self reporting of incidents.
Of the six categories measured, Anglian Water were rated red for two, amber for one, and green for three.
The report looks at last year’s performance, and shows that there were 48 sewerage pollution incidents per 10,000km of sewer – this is rated as red ..
There were 12 serious pollution incidents recorded, the second highest number on record by Anglian Water (they recorded 14 in 2021.)
It is the fifth consecutive year they have been rated as ‘red’ in this category – and sixth year out of the last seven.
Anglian Water were rated as ‘amber’ for discharge permit compliance, and ‘green’ for self-reporting of pollution incidents, Delivery of the Water Industry National Environment Programme and compliance with sludge disposal and use.
In a blog post, Anglian Water said: “Our commitment to reducing pollution incidents remains at the heart of everything we do. We are focused on reducing the three primary root causes of pollutions: foul sewer blockages, civil and structural failure of underground assets and pumping station power supplier network failures. Together, these accounted for 82% of our total pollutions in 2025.
“Over a third (37%) of our pollutions last year were caused by blockages, which are not in the direct control of water companies.”
They also said ‘Ofwat in their Water Company Operational Performance Report 2025-26 have categorised us as 'on-track'.’