When pollution, historic returns to shareholders and banks, all company debts, and outstanding repair costs are taken into account, the value (and hence the cost of compensation) is likely in the case of Thames to be close to zero because shareholders and banks have already been paid and will not deserve a further bail out with taxpayer or bill payer’s money (McGaughey 2025). Other companies will follow suit.
Even if there are some upfront costs with public ownership, these are likely to soon be recouped and must be set against the ongoing high costs of privatisation. The costs will be nowhere near the current purported cost of over £100bn which is serious scaremongering.
Investments
Without the burden of private sector debt, money from bill payers is liberated to use for the plans for the next 5 years. Any additional debt required will be small, and will be attractive to patient capital as the overall water sector will be stable and predictable, rather than in perpetual crisis.
In addition the report recommends:
Prof Becky Malby BEM, Dr Kate Bayliss, Prof Frances Cleaver, Prof Ewan McGaughey
Ilkley Clean River Group and Surfers Against Sewage are providing space for an update on recent developments with the Independent Water Commission and Bathing Water Regulations.
Wed 16 Apr 2025 6pm – 7pm on Zoom
We would really like to hear from you during the evening too and your updates. Is there anything in particular you would like us to update on or provide information? Please let us know in advance.
All the best
Becky, Kirsty & Lizzie
Join Zoom Meeting
https://us06web.zoom.us/j/86372466701?pwd=bZpp6C20zUEv1HiRGRyzsPUuRqTSid.1
Meeting ID: 863 7246 6701
Passcode: 332182
Ilkley Clean River Campaign
Tel: 07974777309
Bluesky: @cleanilkley.bsky.social
https://www.ilkleycleanriver.uk/
https://www.facebook.com/Ilkley-Clean-River-Group-431201944302819/
About the People’s Commission
In October 2024 the government launched an independent commission on the English and Welsh water systems. While we welcome such an initiative, we are concerned that the remit of the government’s commission is restricted in two main ways:
We have considerable analysis of the problem over years of campaigning. The People’s Commission will be solution focused, facing immediate and future problems. We know this is possible. Other countries have water systems that provide better quality affordable water outcomes that are resilient for the future.
You can learn more about the People’s Commission here
A meeting between WAVCRG and Yorkshire Water yielded positive results today after YW announced an investment programme for Wetherby. Over the next 5 years and as part of a £75 million investment scheme, storage containers will be installed at all 7 outlets that lead into the Wharfe at Wetherby. This will significantly reduce the number of discharges of sewage into the river.
Wetherby recently received Bathing Water Status, what does this mean for the proposed improvements?
Due to us being successful in our application for Bathing Water Status, Wetherby will be prioritised in this 5-year programme along the catchment, with other bathing sites like Knaresborough and Ilkley.
13.30 Opening summary Dr Emanuele Lobina, Associate Professor, Public Services International Research Unit (PSIRU), University of Greenwich.
13.50 Witnesses present evidence and their views.
France
France: System overview and Montpellier case study. Marine Colon, Executive head of Joint Research Unit GEAU (Water Matters), lecturer and researcher on water and sanitation utilities’ management. Leads the annual observatory on competition for water and sanitation concession contracts for the French Biodiversity Office.
Paris case study. Anne Le Strat, Senior consultant, Global Water Operators’ Partnerships Alliance, Previously Deputy Mayor in charge of water, sanitation and canals management, Chairwoman and CEO Eau de Paris
14.50 Comfort Break
15.00 Netherlands
Rian Kloosterman. Policy Advisor and Strategist for Drinking Water Infrastructure at Vitens ( largest water utility in the Netherlands15.30 Comfort Break
15.30 Comfort Break
15.40 Witnesses to present evidence and their views.
Germany: Berlin case study.
Vera Weghmann, Director of Public Services International Research Unit (PSIRU) whose research has significantly influenced policy at the European level, contributing to initiatives at the European Parliament and the European Agency for Safety and Health at Work.
Ross Beveridge, Senior Lecturer in Urban Studies , University of Glasgow, and author of ‘A Politics of Inevitability: The Privatisation of the Berlin Water Company, the Global City Discourse and Governance in 1990s Berlin’
16.20 Public response. Members of the Public are invited to respond to what they have heard.
16.40 Thanks, What Next
16.45 Close
Securing water systems that work for people and the environment now and into the future. Evidence from Scientists, Engineers, Water users.
Timetable
11.30 Chair’s Welcome
11.40 Opening summary
12.00 Witnesses present evidence and their views.
Alastair Chisholm, Director of Policy, The Chartered Institution of Water and Environmental Management (CIWEM). A Freshwater Future
Prof Alistair Boxall, University of York. Expert in understanding emerging and future ecological and health risks posed by chemical contaminants in the natural environment. Alistair is Director of the NERC ECORISC Centre for Doctoral Training on environmental risk of chemicals and also lead the NERC ECOMIX project on mixture effects of chemicals in the aquatic environment.
13.10 – 13.30 Lunch break (please bring your own or pop to a local cafe)
13.30 Witnesses present evidence and their views.
Prof Liz Sharp, Sheffield University exploring how the public can be part of the solution to the design of a resilient water system
Engineering Experts provide examples of technical and engineering innovations we should be embracing.
14.45 Public response. Members of the Public are invited to respond to what they have heard.
15.30 Thanks, What Next
15.45 Close
For this event the Panel is joined by Dr David Clayden from the Nidd Action Group
The People’s Commission Contact
Contact email: peoplescommissionwater@
in addition
Dr Kate Bayliss kb6@soas.ac.uk
Prof Frances Cleaver f.cleaver@lancaster.
Prof Becky Malby profmalby@gmail.com
Prof Ewan McGaughey ewan.mcgaughey@kcl.
Kate Bayliss of SOAS says ” Our water system is not working. Our biggest utility is in financial crisis while raw sewage spilling into our rivers and seas has become the new normal. We need to fully understand what exactly is driving these failings, and why. From here we can devise pragmatic solutions, learning from experience in the UK and abroad, to build a water system in the interests of society and the environment.“
The People’s Commission will be investigating the very best solution for our water sector so that we have a robust and resilient water system fit for now and the future. The People’s Commission is working with sector experts and drawing on international experience to offer a way to secure a water system that is commensurate with a developed country, that secures our water quality, and that ensures our supply and sewage treatment is resilient in the context of our population and climate, and where water bills deliver clean water for our rivers, lakes and seas.
Unlike the Government’s Commission, the People’s Commission will not be restricted to addressing just matters of regulation, it will be looking at international examples, alternative models of ownership, innovation in water services, and securing value for the public whilst protecting our rivers, lakes and seas.
“We need to think more boldly and creatively about alternatives to the failing system of water provision in this country. We can learn so much from experiences of other countries and experiments in different modes of governance. Armed with this knowledge we can shape a more just and sustainable water supply system fit for the challenges of the 21st century.” says Prof Cleaver
The People’s Commission will work in public, with its inquiry sessions taking place in local venues across England, hosted by local people. The Public will participate in all the sessions ensuring that those who use water services and pay for the entire water sector play a full part in the future of the water sector.
“The public is being treated as a minor stakeholder by water companies, regulators and government. We recognise that the public funds our water sector, are dependent on water services, are passionate about their local environment and have been the driving force for change in the water sector over recent years. This commission is in service to the public who want a fair water system that protects their water supply, treats their sewage and looks after their environment. ” Prof Becky Malby, Member.
Feargal Sharkey says “The industry clearly cannot be trusted, neither can the regulators. None of them have the right answers. Its time to listen to the public. Here’s your opportunity.”
The four sessions of the Commission will cover:
Confirmed witnesses include
Dr Anne Le Strat, previously Deputy Mayor of Paris and Chair of Eau de Paris, Prof Klaas Schwartz, Netherlands (both on international best practice), Alistair Chisholm CIWEM (freshwater future), Stanley Root Auditor (on solutions to finance), Prof David Hall (on public ownership), Feargal Sharkey OBE and Prof Catherine Waddams (on regulation), Prof Alistair Boxall (on solutions to chemical pollution), Dr Liz Sharp (on public strategies), Dr Mike Keil CCW (on water poverty) alongside experts in engineering and technical solutions, public participation in sustainable water solutions, water poverty and mutuals.
Each in-person event is hosted by a local community group and all events are in public.
Notes on The People’s Commission,
The People’s Commission Contact
Contact email: peoplescommissionwater@gmail.com
in addition
Dr Kate Bayliss kb6@soas.ac.uk
Prof Frances Cleaver f.cleaver@lancaster.ac.uk
Prof Becky Malby profmalby@gmail.com
Prof Ewan McGaughey ewan.mcgaughey@kcl.ac.uk
