The Current · Daily brief

Water in brief — Monday 2 November 2026

Companies respond to the worst environmental ratings on record, Yorkshire Water changes chief executive, and Thames Water's creditors back a £5.4bn funding line.

Monday, 2 November 2026 · Edited by David Bain

01
Environment
Environmental ratings hit a new low, with Severn Trent the only four-star company
The sector scored 16 stars out of 36 in the Environment Agency's 2025 assessment. Southern, South West, Thames and Yorkshire got one star, and environmental scheme delivery fell to 80.2%.
Read the story →Original source: Environment Agency ↗ (opens in a new tab)
02
People
Yorkshire Water responds to its one-star rating as Nicola Medalova arrives as CEO Designate
It blamed 13 serious pollution incidents and five late schemes in West Leeds. Medalova takes over from Nicola Shaw on 1 January.
Read the story →Original source: Water Magazine ↗ (opens in a new tab)
03
Finance
Thames Water creditors approve a £5.4bn emergency facility
The sixteenth consent round adds £2.4bn of capacity and extends liquidity into autumn 2027. The recapitalisation is still unresolved.
Read the story →Original source: Thames Water ↗ (opens in a new tab)
04
People
SEPA's Lisa Tennant is the preferred candidate to chair the Environment Agency
MPs hold a pre-appointment hearing on 11 November, with a 1 January start if she is confirmed.
Read the story →Original source: Water Magazine ↗ (opens in a new tab)
05
Regulation
OEP chair warns that reform won't work without delivery on the ground
Dame Helen Ghosh says implementation, not structure, explains the UK's poor water outcomes, and that the reform legislation is at least two years from taking effect.
Read the story →Original source: Water Magazine ↗ (opens in a new tab)

Water in brief — Monday 2 November 2026

Environmental ratings hit a new low, with Severn Trent the only four-star company

Yorkshire Water responds to its one-star rating as Nicola Medalova arrives as CEO Designate

Thames Water creditors approve a £5.4bn emergency facility

SEPA's Lisa Tennant is the preferred candidate to chair the Environment Agency

OEP chair warns that reform won't work without delivery on the ground

The UK water industry in two minutes, every weekday.