The Deepening Crisis at Thames Water

Thames Water has been granted permission to take on an additional £3 billion in debt—on top of the £17 billion it already owes. That’s a staggering amount, especially when you consider how little of that money goes into fixing leaks, upgrading infrastructure, or protecting our rivers.  

Liberal Democrat MP Charlie Maynard had appealed the decision on behalf of the 16 million customers expected to foot the bill. This isn’t just about corporate debt, it’s about a water system that no longer works for the people it’s supposed to serve - us. 

Piling on Debt, Ignoring the Damage  

While bills rise and rivers continue to suffer, Thames Water continues to spend huge sums on interest payments and advisory fees. Over a quarter of what we pay on our bills isn’t going into local improvements—it’s going straight to lenders. Meanwhile, the company has failed to deliver over 100 essential environmental projects and reported a 40% increase in pollution incidents.  

It’s no wonder public trust is wearing thin.  

Communities Deserve Better  

In places like Newbury, where the River Lambourn and River Kennet are cherished chalk streams at the heart of our community, this failure is felt acutely. These rivers support wildlife, tourism, and local wellbeing—but we’ve seen the impact of sewage spills, poor maintenance, and rising bills. Despite this, regulators like Ofwat continue to look the other way. 

But the Government can take action. Thanks to recent changes in legislation, ministers now have the power to recover the costs of putting a water company like Thames Water into special administration. That means there’s a clear route to protecting bill-payers and the environment.  

Time for a Clean Start  

The Liberal Democrats believe the only realistic way forward is to put Thames Water into special administration—with a clear plan for reform. That means proper investment, stronger oversight, and a focus on long-term environmental repair—not short-term profit.  

Water is a public necessity. It should be managed in the public interest.  

Our communities deserve clean, reliable water services that protect our natural environment and deliver real value. It’s time to stop patching up a broken model and start building one that actually works.