“Bringing it into public ownership would provide the stability, investment and long-term planning the region urgently needs.”
Jo Galloway, UNISON South East regional secretary
By UNISON
The government should bring South East Water back into public ownership before the company’s worsening financial and operational problems push it closer to collapse, says UNISON today (Wednesday).
South East Water has said it might not be able to continue operating beyond next summer without further financial support, warning there is “material uncertainty” about its future.
The union says ministers cannot afford to focus solely on Thames Water while another major water company is facing mounting questions over its future.
The company has been hit with a £30.5 million Ofwat penalty following repeated supply failures and has imposed a hosepipe ban on 2.4 million customers.
UNISON says the problems are the result of a privatised water model that has failed customers, workers and communities for decades.
The union is calling on ministers to return South East Water to public ownership, ensuring any transition protects jobs, pay and pensions while providing the long-term investment needed to strengthen the network.
UNISON says public ownership would ensure investment improves infrastructure and resilience, rather than servicing debt or rewarding shareholders.
UNISON South East regional secretary Jo Galloway said: “The warning signs are flashing red.
“Waiting for the situation to deteriorate even further would be a serious mistake.
“Nobody wants to see the company fail, least of all the staff who are working to keep it afloat.
“But, as extreme weather becomes more common, customers need a resilient water service that can cope with the pressures ahead.
“If ministers are prepared to intervene elsewhere, they should be looking just as closely at South East Water.
“Bringing it into public ownership would provide the stability, investment and long-term planning the region urgently needs.”
- This article was originally published by UNISON on 22 July 2026.
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