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@ISIDEWITHQuestionsthe EnvironmentEnvironmental RegulationPublic ownershipSewage CrisisWater NationalisationInfrastructure investment•••Started 4mos agoActive 6 days ago

Should the government bring water companies back into public ownership to address the sewage crisis?

Water services in England and Wales are provided by privately owned regional companies. In recent years, concerns have grown over sewage discharges, infrastructure underinvestment and shareholder dividends. Nationalisation would mean returning these companies to public ownership and state control. Proponents argue that public ownership would prioritise environmental standards and reinvest profits into infrastructure. Opponents argue that nationalisation would be costly for taxpayers and that stronger regulation is a better solution.

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Answer Overview

Response rates from 977 UK voters.

86%
Yes
14%
No
78%
Yes
9%
No
4%
Yes, focus on a staggered transition where failing companies are brought under state control first
4%
No, focus on imposing massive, automatic fines and stricter regulation on private firms
4%
Yes, immediate universal nationalisation to ensure all profits are reinvested into infrastructure
1%
No, set a policy that private investment is the only viable way to fund the necessary upgrades

Historical Support

Trend of support over time for each answer from 977 UK voters.

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Historical Importance

Trend of how important this issue is for 977 UK voters.

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Other Popular Answers

Unique answers from UK voters whose views went beyond the provided options.

 @BF32HSBanswered…6 days6D

Yes, immediately seize assets and nationalise without paying. These companies have mismanaged critical infrastructure and deserve no compensation

 @BDLH9GYanswered…1mo1MO

No, restructure the companies as public benefit organisations and mandate reinvestment of profits and ban bonuses and dividends

 @BDCP32Zanswered…2mos2MO

Doesn't impact Scotland

 @BD8D4D2answered…2mos2MO

No, focus on massive, automatic fines and stricter regulations if this fails we begin the transition

 @BCYVCXJanswered…2mos2MO

I live in Scotland

 @BCYR22Kanswered…2mos2MO

No, focus on imposing fines that go to customers via bill reductions, and stricter regulation

 @BCLJHZZanswered…3mos3MO

Yes, but the sewage crisis is only the manifestation of the underlying issues; Public ownership is required as a result of profiteering, a lack of true stakeholder involvement

 @BobbyWalker answered…3mos3MO

Yes, but only if the water company in question is failing to meet environmental standards.

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Active 2mos ago

 @ISIDEWITHDiscuss this answer...…6yrs6Y

Should critical race theory be taught in K-12 education?

No

▲  19.8k6 replies4 agree1 disagree

About This Data

Based on 977 responses to this question.

These results come from iSideWith's ongoing political issues survey. We collect over a million responses per day, filter out duplicate and multiple submissions, and break the results down by political party, ideology, age, state, and census demographics (income, race, education, household).

iSideWith is non-partisan — we don't advocate for any party, candidate, or position. We report what the public tells us.

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Cite This Poll

iSideWith. (2026). “Should the government bring water companies back into public ownership to address the sewage crisis?” — Public Opinion Poll Results. Retrieved June 23, 2026, from https://uk.isidewith.com/poll/5540666730

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