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South Oxfordshire District Council calls for ‘failing’ Thames Water to be brought back under public control

South Oxfordshire District Council has issued a resounding vote of no confidence in Thames Water, unanimously calling for the ‘failing’ water provider to be brought back under public control.

In a motion passed on 24 October 2024, council members highlighted widespread concerns over Thames Water’s environmental and financial mismanagement and their inability to meet key operational standards affecting residents and local ecosystems.

The council’s motion, proposed by Cllr Jo Robb and seconded by Cllr Andrea Powell, emphasised the need for government intervention through the Water Industry Act 1991, which allows companies to be placed into Special Administration when they are in financial distress or fail to meet essential duties.

Thames Water’s record in South Oxfordshire underscores the need for immediate action, council members said.  So far in 2024, untreated sewage has been discharged into the River Thames or its tributaries from sewage treatment works operated by Thames Water for more than 15,500 hours. This pollution is symptomatic of deeper issues within the company, with nearly two-thirds of Thames Water’s sewage treatment facilities reportedly out of compliance with regulatory permits.

Beyond pollution concerns, Thames Water’s infrastructure challenges are also significant. The company loses about a quarter of the region’s public drinking water supply due to its leaks.  It is also struggling to manage an £18 billion debt that has led credit agencies Standard & Poor’s and Moody’s to downgrade Thames Water’s debt rating to “junk” status.

A Call for Public Control

The council’s motion specifically calls on the government to end water industry privatisation, citing it as a “failed experiment” that has led to increased financial and environmental risks.

In addition to calling for Thames Water to be brought back under public ownership, South Oxfordshire District Council is backing amendments to the Water (Special Measures) Bill, now progressing through Parliament. These amendments include:

  • Halting any public bailouts for the water industry as proposed under Section 10 of the Bill;
  • Restructuring Ofwat’s duties to prioritise public and environmental interests;
  • Re-democratising water company boards to include employees, bill payers, and council representatives.

Councillor Jo Robb said: “The performance and priorities of Thames Water have clearly failed our residents, our environment and our trust. There is significant public and political sentiment for reform of the country’s water supplies and bringing Thames Water back under public control is essential if we truly wish to protect water supplies in the South East and restore accountability.”

Councillor Andrea Powell added: “Privatisation of water services has not delivered on its promises and it’s vital that we stop putting shareholders before the environment and public health and place this resource back into the hands of the public.  We need real change to ensure our rivers and other water courses are safe and allow wildlife to flourish for future generations and we call on other local authorities and campaign organisations to join the movement to bring water services back under public control.”

At the meeting the councils also resolved a motion on supporting communities in their efforts to retain pubs; a motion on the need for an urgent review of local government funding; and a motion on the importance of local government in delivering Net Zero. For full details of the motions, visit our meetings webpage.