Thames Water, I refuse to pay the sewage charge in my bill while you pollute Britain’s rivers and coastlines

Surfers Against Sewage stage a paddle out protest against sewage pollution in Falmouth, 17 May 2025. Photograph: Hugh R Hastings/Getty Images

I can’t even remember when I decided to stop paying the sewage element of my Thames Water bill. It might have been after reading this headline from the Guardian in July 2025: “Serious pollution incidents by English water companies rose 60% last year,” with the subheading: “Environment Agency records 75 serious incidents among total of 2,800, with Thames Water being worst offender.”

Living in London means that my supplier is Thames Water, which makes a profit out of pollution. I decided that if the government wouldn’t act, I could at least do my part and not pay for this travesty.