Water chiefs’ pay rises to average of £1.1m despite ban on bonuses and outrage over pollution

Total remuneration at companies in England and Wales - many of them under scrutiny for sewage discharge - was 15m in 2024-25

The pay of water company chief executives in England and Wales rose by 5% in the last financial year to an average of 1.1m, despite a ban on bonuses for several companies and widespread outrage over the sector's poor performance.

Total pay reported by water companies reached 15m in 2024-25, up 5% on 13.8m the previous year, according to Guardian analysis of 14 companies' annual reports.