CAMPAIGNERS protested outside Ofwat’s headquarters in Birmingham today, warning that a proposed deal to keep Thames Water afloat could allow the firm to pollute illegally for decades.

Britain’s largest water supplier, which serves 16  million customers, is £20 billion in debt and teetering on the brink of collapse.

The firm’s creditors have submitted a proposal to Ofwat to stave off nationalisation, but campaign group We Own It warns that they are seeking leniency on pollution rules.

Under the plan, London & Valley Water, a consortium of investors, admits a “full return to legal, regulatory and environmental compliance” would not happen until 2035–2040, according to the Guardian.

The announcement has raised fears that the deal could worsen Thames Water’s already poor environmental record, with the company responsible for 298,081 hours of raw sewage spills in 2024.

We Own It handed Ofwat a petition and letter calling on the deal to be rejected, warning that it could set a dangerous precedent. 

Lead campaigner from the group, Sophie Conquest, said: “This isn’t just about Thames Water, this is about every single English water company.

“If Thames Water is allowed to set its own rules, then any other water company could be next. 

“Saying yes to this deal would be firing the starting gun on a race to the bottom. Our households, rivers and seas will suffer as a result.” 

“It’s time to end the privatised water scam. Ofwat must take Thames Water into special administration, slash the debts and give bill payers and the environment a fair deal.”