‘I won’t pay for them to pollute my river’: why a UK water bills boycott is growing

Mike Deacon, an angler who is taking Southern Water to court over pollution in the river Ouse in Sussex. Photograph: Peter Flude/The Observer

For 13 years, Mike Deacon monitored pollution levels in the river Ouse in Sussex, gathering data as a volunteer to help the Environment Agency take action. As a lifelong angler who grew up close to the river, its waters were precious to him.

Now he is taking Southern Water to court, counter-suing the company for “loss of amenity” after it began legal action over his unpaid bills. Since 2021 Deacon has refused to pay more than £1 a month because he blames Southern Water for river pollution.