Southern Water

Southern Water is a water company providing water and wastewater services to customers in the south of England. They are currently newsworthy due to a confluence of negative events. Firstly, water bills across England and Wales are rising significantly (5.4% on average), impacting Southern Water customers. Secondly, a major mains pipe burst in Hastings threatens thousands of households with water shortages during the Christmas period, prompting emergency bottled water deliveries. Finally, the company is under scrutiny following a catastrophic spill of 'biobeads' from a sewage treatment works onto Camber Sands beach, leading to calls for a nationwide ban on their use. These incidents highlight concerns about Southern Water's infrastructure maintenance, environmental impact, and the affordability of its services, making them a subject of public and political debate.