04/11/2026
💧 Milton Keynes MPs criticise Anglian Water as pollution figures reveal five years of failing to meet environmental standards
Milton Keynes’ three Labour MPs have joined forces to criticise Anglian Water after the company was rated as “requires improvement” by the Environment Agency for the FIFTH consecutive year.
Callum Anderson MP, Chris Curtis MP and Emily Darlington MP say residents across Milton Keynes deserve better, following the publication of the latest environmental performance figures.
And the numbers have raised serious concerns about sewage pollution across our region.
🚨 What do the latest figures reveal?
According to the Environment Agency’s assessment of Anglian Water’s performance during 2025:
💧 368 sewerage pollution incidents were recorded across Anglian Water’s operating area.
🚨 12 serious pollution incidents were recorded, compared with seven in 2024.
🔴 The company received a red rating for both overall sewerage pollution incidents and serious pollution incidents.
⭐ Anglian Water received just TWO stars out of four, meaning its environmental performance still requires improvement.
The company has received the same overall rating every year since 2021.
📍 What about Milton Keynes?
According to figures highlighted by the MPs from The Rivers Trust:
🌊 Milton Keynes recorded 208 sewage spills during 2025, lasting a combined 1,671 hours.
🌊 Across neighbouring Buckinghamshire, 1,370 spills were recorded, lasting approximately 15,800 hours.
These figures relate to recorded sewage discharges, while the Environment Agency’s pollution incident figures use a separate classification system.
🏛️ What have our local MPs said?
🗣️ Callum Anderson MP, Buckingham and Bletchley:
“The Environment Agency’s report demonstrates why Labour has taken action to strengthen regulation and hold water companies to account after years in which standards were allowed to slip. In 2025 alone, there have been sewage spills across Milton Keynes and in dozens of villages across North Buckinghamshire.
“Through the Water (Special Measures) Act, I was proud to vote for tougher penalties for sewage pollution, powers to block bonuses for executives who preside over serious failures, stronger monitoring requirements, greater transparency for customers, and new measures to hold persistent offenders to account.
“These reforms are beginning to change the system, but the findings show there is still much more work to do. Anglian Water cannot continue receiving the same verdict from regulators year after year while communities wait for meaningful improvement, and I will continue to hold their senior leadership team to account. I have already met with Anglian Water representatives in North Marston to make clear that this simply isn’t good enough.”
🗣️ Chris Curtis MP, Milton Keynes North:
“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.”
🗣️ Emily Darlington MP, Milton Keynes Central:
“Unfortunately, I’m not surprised by the Environmental Agency’s report on Anglian Water. This summer Anglian Water’s failures became more pronounced than ever when they left residents in Bow Brickhill and the surrounding areas without water during the heatwave. I took the issue to Ministers in the Chamber and fought hard to demand accountability from Anglian Water.
My residents across Milton Keynes Central deserve consistent and reliable water services that do not falter during times of need. They also deserve clean waterways; Milton Keynes is renowned for its fantastic green spaces often spotted with rivers and lakes. This is about protecting our beautiful parks and securing the high-quality water services that should be the norm for Milton Keynes. Alongside Callum and Chris, I will continue to champion residents and stand up to Anglian Water.”
💷 What action is being taken?
In September 2025, water regulator Ofwat confirmed a £62.8 million enforcement package following findings that Anglian Water had breached its legal obligations in managing wastewater treatment works and sewerage networks.
The package, funded by the company and its shareholders rather than customers, includes investment in environmental improvements and reducing sewage spills.
The latest Environment Agency assessment also recognised some improvements, including:
✅ Fewer sewerage pollution incidents than in 2024, falling from 437 to 368.
✅ Improved reporting of pollution incidents.
✅ Completion of environmental improvement requirements on time.
However, the rise in serious incidents remains a major concern.
The three MPs have welcomed stronger regulation of the water industry and say they will continue pressing Anglian Water for improvements.
💬 What do Milton Keynes residents think?
💧 Are you satisfied with the service you receive from Anglian Water?
🌊 Are enough measures being taken to protect our local rivers, lakes and waterways?
💷 Do you believe water companies are being held sufficiently accountable for their environmental performance?
And with household bills already putting pressure on families, are customers getting the service they deserve?
Let’s hear your thoughts, Milton Keynes. 👇
