by Kathy Shaw, SPARK social justice
There are many groups all over Leeds doing amazing things – connect with them and get involved with their work!
At the weekend I went to at event led by Plastic Free NW Leeds. Their campaigns include working to eliminate single-use plastics and also for cleaner, plastic free waterways in the UK. An eight-year-old girl tragically died in August 1999 after contracting an infection linked to sewage on a beach; there were countless examples from people of all ages with severe life changing illnesses. These stories returned to national prominence following the release of the Channel 4 factual drama, Dirty Business. The evidence produced at the time by Rob Forrester and Mark Barrow brought appalling failings to public attention.
The function of water companies is to protect public health and the environment. Sewage discharge should only happen in an emergency, but has become standard and accepted practice. Water companies are now self reporting and the findings show that major incidents were deliberately downgraded so no response was necessary. Experts say the water sector has been poorly regulated for decades and allowed water companies to under invest in critical infrastructure while paying out huge dividends to shareholders.
Total Spills in 2025: Untreated raw sewage was discharged into England’s rivers and seas 291,492 times. These spills lasted a combined total of roughly 1.9 million hours.
The Environmental Agency is an independent Government regulator; their function includes protecting and improving the environment. Pollution data reveal that approximately 96% of the most serious (Category 1 and 2) pollution incidents reported to authorities was downgraded in 2025. Over the last decade, nearly 6,000 potentially major or significant sewage incidents were downgraded by the Environment Agency (EA) without a direct site inspection.
In response to exposés such as the Channel 4 documentary Dirty Business and revelations of downgraded pollution incidents, the Environmental Agency asserts that operations have improved under new leadership and new regulatory enforcements. The campaigners still maintain that rather than being independent, the EA are well on the way to being a client funded regulator.
Yorkshire Water is facing a major Environmental Performance Assessment downgrade to a rare “one-star” rating, due to rising pollution incidents and infrastructure failures. This places it among the lowest-rated water companies in the UK, driven by a 72% surge in pollution incidents and challenges with sewage overflows.
Kelda Holdings, a consortium of investment funds based in Sweden, Singapore and Australia, is the parent company of Yorkshire Water. Water companies have awarded over £112 million in bonuses and performance related incentives to senior staff over the last decade, despite being characterised by pollution scandals and underperformance of private companies.
Recent legislation aims to restore public trust and raise standards by introducing a new regulatory framework. The UK water action plan centres on the Water (Special Measures) Act 2025 to tackle pollution and failing companies. Key actions include banning bonuses for polluting water bosses, enforcing independent monitoring of every sewage outlet, and enabling automatic criminal charges against executives who obstruct environmental investigations.
These conversations are all a step in the right direction and SPARK and the Justice and Peace Commission will continue to advocate for climate justice and care for our environment.
What can you do now?
- Raise awareness in your networks about the environmental impact of plastic pollution – share ideas about a zero-waste lifestyle and think how you can all reduce or remove single use plastics https://www.zerowasteleeds.org.uk
- Support local shops, cafes and pubs who commit to using sustainable, reusable or biodegradable alternative
- Join a volunteer day to help clear plastic pollution from the River Aire and Leeds Liverpool canal https://www.facebook.com/groups/445179769665354/ – Plastic free Leeds
- Write to your local MP or councillor
- Join local campaigns and groups advocating for environmental protection
- Contact SPARK and the Justice and Peace Commission for local events and information