Local MPs call out Anglian Water after receiving fifth successive "Requires Improvement" rating
Chris Curtis MP (Milton Keynes North) has joined Emily Darlington MP (Milton Keynes Central) and Callum Anderson MP (Buckingham and Bletchley) in criticising Anglian Water after regulators rated the company as requiring improvement for the fifth consecutive year, saying residents across Milton Keynes deserve far better from their water provider.
The Environment Agency's latest Environmental Performance Assessment found that Anglian Water "requires improvement", having recorded 368 locations with pollution incidents and 12 serious pollution incidents in 2025.
According to the Rivers Trust, a total of 208 sewage spills were recorded in Milton Keynes in 2025, lasting a combined 1,671 hours. Across neighbouring Buckinghamshire, the numbers were even more stark, with a total of 1,370 spills recorded, lasting a combined 15,800 hours. While the company has highlighted investment plans and progress in some areas, regulators found that performance continues to fall short of the environmental standards expected by both the public and industry watchdogs.
Of particular concern was the increase in serious pollution incidents, which rose from seven in 2024 to 12 in 2025. Anglian Water has now received a red rating for serious pollution incidents every year since 2021, while also receiving a red rating for overall pollution incidents in this year's assessment. A serious pollution incident (classified by the Environment Agency as a Category 1 (major) or Category 2 (significant) incident) is an event that causes severe, extensive or long-term harm to water, land or air, or results in a major operational and environmental impact.
The findings come amid continued concerns about performance across the water sector. Earlier this year, water regulator Ofwat ordered Anglian Water to invest £62.8 million in improvements after identifying "excessive" sewage spills during storms. The company's latest assessment reflects a broader trend highlighted by the Environment Agency, whose national report found that water company performance remains below public expectations, with only one provider, Severn Trent Water, achieving the highest four-star rating.
Across Milton Keynes North, hard-working families feel that big water companies are being rewarded for their failures. Whilst local people work hard, companies like Anglian Water continue to shirk their responsibilities time and time again, and appear unphased by shocking reports like the one published by the Environment Agency earlier this week. The towns, villages, and communities that I represent cannot continue to wait for improvements that never seem to come. I will continue to hold water companies to account and highlighting the deep concerns and frustrations felt across the city.
