WATER PAGES
Bring Thames Water into full public ownership and give workers the certainty they deserve, say unions
TUC, GMB, Unison and Unite join forces to call for the government to step in as the Environment Secretary says they remain “ready for all eventualities”
The TUC and unions representing workers at Thames Water – GMB, Unison and Unite – have today (Friday) joined forces to call for Thames Water to be brought into full public ownership given the rapidly diminishing outlook for the company.
The unions say the move would give workers the certainty about their future that they deserve.
The call comes as the Environment Secretary Steve Reed said the government remains ready for all eventualities, indicating that public ownership could be on the table.
In the joint statement, the unions call for full public ownership of Thames Water:
“The chaos at Thames Water has dragged on for too long. The collapse of the most recent private equity investment deal is just the latest chapter in a long-running failure.
“Sticking-plaster solutions are not the answer. It’s time for the government to step in and bring Thames Water into full public ownership.
“Returning Thames Water to public ownership is the best way to protect staff, serve customers, and safeguard our environment.”
Public ownership will give workers the 58 certainty they deserve, the unions add:
“While the company lurches from crisis to crisis, the workforce has been shut out - forced to learn about key developments from the media.
“They are the ones keeping the system running, despite years of underinvestment, poor management, and rising abuse from a public that’s lost all
faith.
“Any new investment that doesn’t demand damaging concessions or pile more pressure on workers is looking increasingly unlikely. This is the legacy of failed privatisation.
“The government must act - taking Thames Water into public hands and giving its staff the certainty and respect they deserve.”
Enhanced technology leads smart sewer network revolution
Rapidly increasing uptake of remote sensor technology is revolutionising how sewer networks are monitored and managed across the UK - and has prompted a firmware update from technology company Metasphere, writes Ryan Pearson, head of strategy.
Remote sewer network monitoring is already offering significant advantages to the most progressive water companies in the UK, who must meet Ofwat’s ambitious environmental targets for water companies in the 2025-30 asset management plan (AMP8) period. It is remarkable to think
| July 2025 |
draintraderltd.com
that Metasphere was first-to-market with a remote sensor solution for sewer networks in 2021, which is only four years ago.
Reflecting the company’s ongoing innovation and development journey, as a leading provider of telemetry and analytics solutions for water networks, Metasphere has just announced a significant firmware update for its Sense Level sewer level monitors. This update reinforces the company’s commitment to supporting the water sector in meeting Ofwat’s ambitious AMP8 targets, which include a 45% reduction in storm overflow spills by 2030.
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