Story perspectives

Water Crisis: Families Demand Public Control Amid Sewage Scandal

2/24/2026

Summary

Story summary

Channel 4's Dirty Business portrays Julie Maughan, whose daughter Heather died of E. coli from Devon's polluted waters.
It links the crisis to privatization of England's water industry in the 1990s.
Campaigners Peter Hammond and Ash Smith investigate Thames Water's failures and push for public control as the firm faces financial collapse.
Despite evidence of illegal sewage dumping, the Labour government favors private investment over public ownership.

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Story summary

Channel 4's Dirty Business portrays Julie Maughan, whose daughter Heather died of E. coli from Devon's polluted waters.
It links the crisis to privatization of England's water industry in the 1990s.
Campaigners Peter Hammond and Ash Smith investigate Thames Water's failures and push for public control as the firm faces financial collapse.
Despite evidence of illegal sewage dumping, the Labour government favors private investment over public ownership.