Milton Keynes MPs slam Anglian Water as regulators say it “requires improvement” yet again following 12 serious pollution incidents
Three Milton Keynes MPs have criticised Anglian Water after regulators rated the company as requiring improvement for the fifth year running, saying residents 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. Milton Keynes MPs Callum Anderson, Chris Curtis and Emily Darlington, say it’s just not good enough.
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.
In response to the report, a spokesperson from Anglian Water said: "We are making great progress in the delivery of our biggest-ever investment programme, with over £2bn due to be spent on environmental improvements right across the East of England through to 2030.
“While it will take time for the full impact to be seen, record investment is beginning to make a difference.”
According to the Rivers Trust, a total of 208 sewage spills were recorded in Milton Keynes in 2025. Across neighbouring Buckinghamshire, the number was even more stark, with a total of 1,370 spills recorded.
But Anglian Water says it still saw improvements that year, including a 62% reduction in spills from storm overflows and a 16% reduction in pollution events.
A particular concern from regulators 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 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.
Chris Curtis MP said: “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.
“I will continue to hold water companies to account and highlight the deep concerns and frustrations felt across the city.”
Anglian Water'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.
The Anglian Water spokesperson added: “We know though that we need to do more to continue to improve our environmental performance, and we are particularly focussed on driving the number of pollution incidents, particularly those of a serious nature, down further, as these remain the main driver of our two-star EPA rating.
“We are determined to build on our progress and deliver the environmental improvements our customers and communities rightly expect as the climate continues to become more unpredictable.”