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Original poster

Dirty Business- The Water Companies are profiteering lying bastards

169 replies

Ihatetomatoes · 24/02/2026 23:02

Dirty Business

Just watched it.

Raw sewage onto our beaches and into rivers.

A child died. That poor child, an awful death.
Children and adults ill.
Suicide
Lies
Profits
Misrepresentation of facts.
Overpaid executives.

Throughly disgusting. Executives that nake these decisions should be prosecuted. Shameful. How do they live with themselves profiteering like that.

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17
Mischance · 25/02/2026 09:28

This is the Thatcher legacy - utilities privatised so that the profit motive is bolted on to what is basically a service (not that Thatcher even understood that word) - shareholders to be remunerated, bosses to be paid massive uncontrolled salaries and bonuses, lots of money spent on window dressing and PR.

I have no idea how we crawl back out of this. Public services are simply wrecked.

LittleCrumblyBiscuit · 25/02/2026 09:24

Putting responsibility for our water into the hands of foreign investors and failing to properly regulate it was absolutely unforgivable. I honestly don’t know how this shit show (literally) can be put right.

MrsMitford3 · 25/02/2026 09:24

I haven't watched yet but will.

I know a couple of years ago (I think) at Henley Royal Regatta the athletes were told not to jump in, touch the water or throw their cox in.
Think it was high levels of e-coli.
They were meant to shower immediately and I think there were additional cleansing stations (maybe not called that) but lots of signs in athlete tent and a lot of crews were ill.

Shameful. Thames Water's behaviour is criminal.

Rosecoffeecup · 25/02/2026 09:21

Watched it all last night completely aghast. Scandalous doesnt even cover it

Sassiskt · 25/02/2026 09:20

I do think this is a failure of the regulators. After privatisation these companies were supposed to be putting money by for infrastructure upgrades, but instead they paid that money out in profits. Then borrowed more to ensure they could pay more dividends. These water companies are now saddled with vast debts. Who was supposed to be responsible for making sure they were putting money by?

SaulJunction · 25/02/2026 09:16

It's a national disgrace. Millions and millions of gallons of sewage pumped into our waterways every day. This mostly due to years of systematic under investment in order that shareholders can receive greater dividends.

Original poster
Ihatetomatoes · 25/02/2026 08:21

NeatCoralMember · 25/02/2026 07:53

It is shameful! I hope this spurs a Mr Bates moment.
Those fat cat execs who profiteer should hang their heads in shame!

They won't though. Devoid of humanity.

They must be. Money is more important to some than accountability it appears.

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Original poster
Ihatetomatoes · 25/02/2026 08:20

Goodadvice1980 · 25/02/2026 07:42

YANBU OP.

It makes my blood boil how water companies get away with dumping 💩 that poor child died and no one has been held accountable.

Thieving bastards. And don’t get me started on the PE companies!

Her father committed suicide as well. That poor family have been through so much. The bosses at the water companies should be more accountable. However, it appears it's all about profits.

OP posts:
NeatCoralMember · 25/02/2026 07:53

It is shameful! I hope this spurs a Mr Bates moment.
Those fat cat execs who profiteer should hang their heads in shame!

They won't though. Devoid of humanity.

Goodadvice1980 · 25/02/2026 07:42

YANBU OP.

It makes my blood boil how water companies get away with dumping 💩 that poor child died and no one has been held accountable.

Thieving bastards. And don’t get me started on the PE companies!

Awumminnscotland · 25/02/2026 06:41

Such a huge scandal. I really hope the campaign gains more traction now after this programme.

mumofthemonsters808 · 24/02/2026 23:35

It made my blood boil, shame on the water company and the Environmental Agency.Those poor people.

Original poster
Ihatetomatoes · 24/02/2026 23:12

StedSarandos · 24/02/2026 23:09

I've not watched this yet.

But almost certainly yanbu.

It's horrifying. Very sad. This needs to be told though.

The way people in power take decisions that mean more money but damage to the environment and to people is appalling.

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JMSA · 24/02/2026 23:11

Awful 😞

StedSarandos · 24/02/2026 23:09

I've not watched this yet.

But almost certainly yanbu.

Original poster
Ihatetomatoes · 24/02/2026 23:06

Episode 2

An 8 year old girl dies after a trip to the seaside.

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Original poster
Ihatetomatoes · 24/02/2026 23:05

Episode 1

"In an idyllic Oxfordshire hamlet, the fish in the river keep dying. Why? David Thewlis and Jason Watkins lead this shocking real-life drama of victims, whistleblowers and England’s water companies."

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