Two newly-elected Suffolk MPs have hit out at Anglian Water after a new report from the Environment Agency said there was no improvement to its river quality work in 2023.

The EA annual report on the environmental performance of England’s nine water and sewerage companies during 2023 gave Anglian Water two stars - the same rating the company had in 2021 and 2022. 

There were 40 pollution incidents from sewerage assets per 10,000km. (307 actual incidents). And there were 11 serious incidents from sewerage assets.

Adrian Ramsay said river quality was a major concern for voters.Adrian Ramsay said river quality was a major concern for voters. (Image: Paul Geater)

Green Party co-leader and Waveney Valley MP Adrian Ramsay said: "River quality is one of the top issues that came up with voters during the general election campaign.

"The government must call in the water companies and demand that they take action to clean up the rivers - this cannot be allowed to continue.

Suffolk Coastal MP Jenny Riddell-CarpenterSuffolk Coastal MP Jenny Riddell-Carpenter (Image: Labour Party)

Suffolk Coastal Labour MP Jenny Riddell-Carpenter said: "Today’s news is incredibly disappointing.

"Residents across Suffolk will rightly be frustrated that no improvements are evident – despite promises of change.

"I’ve written to Anglian Water and will continue to push the issue, as it continues to be a priority for me - just as it is for thousands of residents across Suffolk Coastal.

"In the King's Speech last week, the new Labour Government set out new laws that will reform the water sector and restore our rivers, lakes and seas to good health.

"But the water sector generally, and Anglian Water specifically, need not wait for these new powers to come into effect.

"They should be taking real action now to make the improvements – to compliance, as well as ending the disaster of pollution and discharge of sewage into our rivers and seas."   

The Agency has warned it will start to get tough with companies.

Sadia Moeed, area director for East Anglia, said: "We are disappointed that Anglian Water is a two star company for the third year in a row.

"Where there is evidence of non-compliance we will not hesitate to pursue the water company and take appropriate action.

“As part of our national investment in water company regulation we will increase our regulatory presence across Anglian Water’s sites, contributing to the 4,000 inspections across the country this year, increasing to 10,000 next year."

An Anglian Water spokesperson said: “We take our responsibility to protect, restore and improve our region’s environment incredibly seriously.

"We know that we must do better on some critical measures of environmental performance, and that our customers want to see a demonstrable difference in the action we take to tackle storm spills and reduce pollutions.

“We’ve drastically changed how we operate to address more effectively the unique and complex challenges facing our region, but we knew it was going to take time for this to be reflected in our environmental performance and an improved EPA rating.

"We are seeing positive changes in many areas of work, and the recent £100m of additional funding from our shareholders means that we can continue with this strategy at pace.”