# 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.

Published Monday, 2 November 2026 by The Water Wire (The Current). Canonical: https://waterwire.co.uk/brief/2026-11-02

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

Topic: Environment & performance

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%.

Full story: https://waterwire.co.uk/story/epa-2025-ratings-severn-trent-alone-at-four-stars

Original source: [Environment Agency](https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/water-and-sewerage-companies-in-england-environmental-performance-report-2025)

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

Topic: People & moves

It blamed 13 serious pollution incidents and five late schemes in West Leeds. Medalova takes over from Nicola Shaw on 1 January.

Full story: https://waterwire.co.uk/story/yorkshire-water-one-star-response-and-new-ceo

Original source: [Water Magazine](https://www.watermagazine.co.uk/2026/11/02/yorkshire-water-outlines-changes-following-one-star-environmental-rating/)

## 3. Thames Water creditors approve a £5.4bn emergency facility

Topic: Company & finance

The sixteenth consent round adds £2.4bn of capacity and extends liquidity into autumn 2027. The recapitalisation is still unresolved.

Full story: https://waterwire.co.uk/story/thames-water-creditors-approve-5-4bn-facility

Original source: [Thames Water](https://www.thameswater.co.uk/news/2026/oct/twul-sixteenth-consent-requests-stid-results)

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

Topic: People & moves

MPs hold a pre-appointment hearing on 11 November, with a 1 January start if she is confirmed.

Full story: https://waterwire.co.uk/story/lisa-tennant-preferred-candidate-ea-chair

Original source: [Water Magazine](https://www.watermagazine.co.uk/2026/11/02/lisa-tennant-selected-as-preferred-candidate-for-environment-agency-chair/)

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

Topic: Regulation & policy

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.

Full story: https://waterwire.co.uk/story/oep-chair-water-reform-must-deliver-on-the-ground

Original source: [Water Magazine](https://www.watermagazine.co.uk/2026/11/02/oep-chair-warns-water-reforms-must-deliver-action-on-the-ground/)