The People's Commission on the Water Sector reports today….
Prof Ewan McGaughey at the UK River Summit
Two of the panellists at the UK Summit - Prof Becky Malby BEM and Prof Ewan Macgaughey have contributed to a report stating that the privatised water model has failed and a shift to public ownership is required for these reasons:
All bill payers money is used for water services. We are not servicing eye watering debt of between 21-50% of bills. Surplus funds are reinvested.
All the water sector's effort focuses on cleaning up our rivers, lakes and seas, not servicing overseas financial interests. It is possible to collaborate to secure better solutions to our water crisis.
Public trust is reinstated, and people can get involved in conserving and protecting water, playing our part in the safety of our water now and in the future.
Regulators focus on people and the environment, with open and transparent data for public scrutiny, rather than chasing down private water companies with criminal investigations and trying to stop money leaking out into executives purses and shareholders bank accounts.
Any debt needed is cheaper, as the government can borrow at interest rates far lower than the 8-12% being charged by current 'investors'.
There will be no incentive to inflate costs or delay spending in order to accrue money for shareholders.
Transition to Public Ownership
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:
A Cross-Party Crisis Committee to develop a National Strategy for Water with a strategic advisory group of independent experts - (SAGE) for Water
Getting on top of upstream pollution with those that pollute being responsible for cleaning up our waterways, on the Polluter Pays principle
Prof Becky Malby BEM, Dr Kate Bayliss, Prof Frances Cleaver, Prof Ewan McGaughey
Prof Becky Malby BEM & Jim Murray MBE at the UK River Summit
From Question to Answer in Seconds - "For families planning a riverside picnic, rowers preparing for morning training, or dog walkers whose pets love river swims, this technology transforms a simple question - 'Is it safe today?' - into an instant, science-based answer," explains Claire Zambuni, founder of The River Summit and Festival, the independent organisation partnering with Proteus Instruments on this initiative.
The QR code democratises water quality information that was previously accessible only to specialists, making vital public health data available to anyone with a smartphone. No apps to download, no technical knowledge required - just scan and see.
Why This Matters Right Now
E. coli bacteria are an indicator of faecal contamination, with elevated levels in the environment signalling contamination from sewage overflows and indicate potential health risks. During heavy rainstorms, bacterial levels can change dramatically within hours, but traditional testing methods create dangerous delays between contamination events and public awareness.
"When my son was young, I would have loved to know if the river was safe before letting him paddle," says Zambuni. "This gives every parent, every river user, the power to make informed decisions about their family's safety."
Revolutionary Technology Meets Community Need
The Proteus monitor represents cutting-edge water quality technology, utilising patented algorithms and fluorescence spectroscopy to provide accurate, real-time measurement of coliform bacteria. Unlike traditional methods requiring manual sampling and laboratory analysis, this system provides continuous monitoring with built-in cleaning technology for reliable, ongoing operation.
The partnership between award-winning Proteus Instruments and The River Summit demonstrates how technology and community collaboration can address real environmental challenges. As an independent organisation not funded by water companies as well as other polluters, The River Summit provides the neutral platform necessary for honest dialogue about water quality and innovative solutions.
Hannah Gunter says, ‘At Proteus Instruments we are thrilled to be collaborating with The River Summit for a second year. This latest installation ahead of the July summit is bringing a UK first service, enabling ordinary water users to understand more about their rivers. We believe this kind of accessible, real-time monitoring should be the norm, not the exception. I’m extremely passionate about the importance of our rivers - both for the environment and for the people. By making water quality data easy to access and understand, we want to help empower communities to take an active role in protecting these vital ecosystems for generations to come.’
Creating Change Through Collaboration
This project exemplifies the cross-sector collaboration that drives genuine progress - bringing together cutting-edge technology companies, independent environmental organisations, and community needs to create solutions that work for everyone.
"This is more than monitoring - it's about empowering communities with the information they need to protect themselves and their rivers," explains Zambuni. "When people have access to real-time data, they become partners in river protection rather than passive observers."
The implications of this monitoring breakthrough will be explored at the UK River Summit on July 8th at Morden Hall, where water company CEOs, government ministers including Emma Hardy MP (Minister for Water), scientists, and community advocates will examine how technology can transform river protection.
"The Summit creates space where water company CEOs sit alongside passionate campaigners, where scientists share platforms with community groups," says Zambuni. "Real solutions emerge when everyone's voice is heard."
The Thames installation near Windsor serves as a pilot that could transform water quality monitoring across UK waterways, providing better protection for public health and supporting informed environmental stewardship.
The live data will be accessible through a simple QR code scan, marking a new era of transparency and community empowerment in UK water safety.