Britain’s Water Crisis Is a Disgrace but the Cleanup Offers a Chance for Real Change

Image: One of Hubbub's 'Plastic Fishing' trips, in which volunteers remove litter from rivers

How should households and businesses begin changing their habits in response to the Cunliffe Review? Commissioned to address deep-rooted problems, such as pollution and leaks, across Britain’s struggling water utilities, the review offers a bold, if incomplete, roadmap. Alex Robinson, CEO of environmental charity Hubbub, shares his reflections.

Let’s not sugarcoat it. The water industry is in a mess. Sir John Cunliffe’s 465-page assessment, released earlier this week, pulls no punches when it comes to the state of affairs in England and Wales. The review outlines 88 recommendations. Together, they amount to a radical transformation of the sector. Still, for many campaigners, they don’t go nearly far enough.

The list of culprits is long. Water companies dumped raw sewage into our rivers and seas more than 300,000 times last year. Regulators, meanwhile, looked the other way while investment in infrastructure stalled. And as if that weren’t enough, news of bloated executive salaries continues to erode what little trust remains. Understandably, the public has had enough.

But tucked deep within the pages of Cunliffe’s report lies something more hopeful. There are subtle yet meaningful hints about how everyday citizens can contribute to the solution. By doing so, we not only help our water systems but also benefit the environment. We improve the neighbourhoods we live in.

Cunliffe notes that the sewerage system is under growing pressure. The culprits? Climate change, rising populations, and relentless urban development. To ease the burden, we need to prevent pollutants, such as water, microplastics, and chemicals, from entering the system in the first place.

The Problem with Wet Wipes & Concrete Gardens

Let’s start with a familiar villain: plastic wet wipes. These tiny conveniences are so disruptive they earned their section in the report. Alongside calls for legislation to ban them, the review applauds behavioural nudges, such as the “Bin the Wipe” campaign from Water UK. That effort, prompted by activist pressure, is a good example of how awareness drives action.

But why stop there?

Missed opportunities surround us. A blend of innovative campaigns, forward-thinking policy, and corporate accountability could drastically cut the waste flowing into our drains.

A significant issue is the sheer number of complex, impermeable surfaces blanketing our cities. Concrete driveways, paved patios, and tarmac roads don’t just look sterile; they also provide a solid foundation for your property. They trap heat on hot days and channel rainwater straight into a sewer system that’s already on the brink. We need more than just better drainage policy. We need a change in mindset.

Every paved-over garden and cemented driveway becomes a tiny contributor to flooding. The answer? Start tearing it all up. The movement is called “depaving,” and the idea is simple: replace solid, water-repelling surfaces with materials that allow rain to soak into the ground. In the Netherlands, this has become something of a national obsession. They call it “Tegelwippen,” or tile-tipping. It’s even turned into a nationwide competition. Over 14 million paving stones have already been removed.

Each stone matters. It creates space for greenery, helps manage water flow, and reduces temperatures during heatwaves. In London, the mayor’s office has published helpful guides. Lambeth Council is even offering support to residents who want to depave their properties. Now is the time to elevate this from niche trend to national campaign. That includes expanding existing planning laws and encouraging homeowners to opt for porous materials whenever possible.

The Plastic Lawn Problem

Let’s talk about fake grass. It’s not just on football fields or corporate lawns. Increasingly, households are turning their gardens into plastic-covered areas. According to a study by Aviva, around 40 per cent of UK households have either already installed synthetic turf or are considering it.

Here’s the problem. These surfaces are awful at absorbing water. Some researchers say they’re no better than asphalt. Additionally, they release alarming levels of microplastics into the environment.

Artificial sports pitches are already the UK’s largest source of intentionally added microplastics. Residential lawns are now joining that dubious list. The Cunliffe Review highlights how these particles persist for decades, accumulate in living organisms, and are nearly impossible to remove from water using conventional treatment methods.

If that’s not bad enough, fake grass heats up so much it can combust. It’s also laced with “forever chemicals” that do not break down.

Still not convinced? More than a third of the British public is already in favour of banning these plastic death carpets. What we need now is legislation that matches this sentiment. We also need campaigns to guide people toward better alternatives—gardens that are cool, low-maintenance, and kind to both wildlife and the climate.

The Bigger Picture

All of this might sound small in the face of a crumbling water industry. But here’s the thing: private domestic gardens make up nearly 30 per cent of urban land in Britain. That’s an enormous opportunity.

Real grass cools the air and supports a variety of insects. Porous driveways lower the risk of flooding. More soil means more pollinators and, in turn, more life in our cities. The benefits multiply quickly.

The government has to act on the Cunliffe Review’s findings. That includes cracking down on destructive plastics and supporting communities in their effort to adapt. But we shouldn’t stop there.

What if we took this moment to go further? Imagine a programme offering small grants for households to rip up concrete and install climate-resilient gardens. Imagine every neighbourhood becoming part of the fix.

Of course, that wouldn’t excuse the failures of the water companies or their regulators. They still have much to answer for. But as pressure builds, we can at least begin to craft our response. Amid this storm, perhaps we can create our silver lining.