Water UK called for a stronger application of the ‘polluter pays’ principle in tackling PFAS contamination, arguing that clean-up costs should be borne by those responsible for releasing chemicals into the environment, rather than water customers.
The industry body representing water and wastewater companies in England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland said in a statement on April 28, 2026, that current policy does not go far enough to ensure that the costs of tackling PFAS contamination are fairly shared.
Water UK has warned that water companies face increasing challenges in removing PFAS through advanced treatment processes as they continue to enter rivers, groundwater and sewage systems. The company said this approach could be technically complex and costly, requiring significant investment over a long period of time. Water companies are already spending more than £70 million a year to remove PFAS from drinking water to levels of 1 part in 10 billion, one of the world’s toughest limits.
The group argued that relying on water companies, and ultimately ratepayers, to fund this work risks imposing an unfair burden on consumers, especially when PFAS emissions originate from industrial processes or products.
Instead, Water UK believes that a more effective and fair approach is to “Polluters pay” In principle, it ensures that manufacturers and users of PFAS are financially responsible for preventing and controlling pollution at the source.
Water UK said in a statement:
“We want to ban the production of PFAS unless it’s important to safety and no replacement can be found, and we want PFAS manufacturers to pay for the cleanup.”
The report added that stronger regulation of PFAS use, along with clearer obligations for producers, would help reduce environmental pollution and limit the need for costly end-of-tube treatments.
PFAS contamination has received increasing attention from regulators and the water sector in recent years due to concerns about its persistence in the environment and potential risks to ecosystems and human health. Efforts are underway to better understand how PFAS enter water systems and develop strategies to reduce exposure.
The UK government recently announced plans aimed at strengthening the evidence base on PFAS and informing future policy decisions. However, industry stakeholders continue to call for more urgent action to limit use and address contamination at the source.
Water UK said effectively tackling PFAS will require concerted action across governments, regulators, manufacturers and the water industry, with a focus on prevention and cost recovery from polluters.
