Emeritus Prof Christopher MayMar 1

Once again evidence suggests the water companies are being allowed to 'mark their own homework' by an under-funded Environmental Agency, lacking capacity to make site visits (hardly a mistake; a direct & intended consequence of austerity, as yet only partly reversed).

As the water & sewage scandal, now subject to a TV docu-drama series, becomes ever clearer, one can only wonder how much longer the supporters of privatisation can hold out?

#water #sewage #politics
https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2026/mar/01/thousands-pollution-incidents-england-downgraded-without-site-visit-data-suggests

Thousands of pollution incidents in England downgraded without site visit, data suggests

Exclusive: Whistleblower figures show large rise in ‘serious’ to ‘minor’ downgrades based on water company evidence

The Guardian
Show threadDavid S

@ChrisMayLA6

Ah but they will argue it's not privatisation to blame but a lack of a strong regulator. Of course they'll then argue to water down the regulator in due course...

Mar 1 at 11:09amWeb
Show threadEmeritus Prof Christopher MayMar 1

@Pionir

which would make sense, as you say, if strong regulation had *ever* been supported by promoters of privatisation....