A campaign to bring the UK’s water industry back into public ownership has gathered huge momentum, with a petition calling for a binding national referendum approaching 120,000 signatures.
Having already passed the 100,000-mark required to trigger consideration for a parliamentary debate, the issue is now firmly on the political agenda.
The petition argues that water is a basic public necessity and criticises the current privatised system. It states that private water companies serve around 62 million “captive customers” and have paid out more than £85 billion to shareholders, funds, campaigners say, could have been reinvested in maintaining and improving ageing infrastructure. It also notes how the UK is the only country to have fully privatised its water system, raising concerns about accountability and public interest.
Campaign groups and environmental advocates welcomed the surge in support. The organisation We Own It described the milestone as a pivotal moment, saying it demonstrated widespread demand for a public say on water ownership.
Environmental campaigner Feargal Sharkey also praised supporters, calling signatories “absolute heroes.”
But the government has resisted calls for nationalisation, arguing that such a move would be complex and time-consuming. Officials maintain that reforming regulation and strengthening enforcement is a more immediate and effective way to address environmental concerns, particularly the pollution of rivers, lakes, and seas.
Public dissatisfaction appears to extend beyond the petition. Earlier polling on Thames Water found that more than two-thirds of its customers support nationalisation. A majority also believed the regulator Ofwat should reject a proposed restructuring deal and instead place the company into special administration.
The proposed deal itself has proven controversial. It involves writing off roughly a quarter of Thames Water’s nearly £20 billion debt, while delaying full compliance with legal, regulatory, and environmental standards until between 2035 and 2040. Critics argue this timeline would allow continued environmental harm for years to come.
With the petition now awaiting a scheduled debate in Parliament, the question of who should own and control the UK’s water infrastructure is likely to remain a prominent and contested issue in the months ahead.
Left Foot Forward doesn't have the backing of big business or billionaires. We rely on the kind and generous support of ordinary people like you.
You can support hard-hitting journalism that holds the right to account, provides a forum for debate among progressives, and covers the stories the rest of the media ignore. Donate today.
Donate today
