The deputy leader of the Green Party has described the UK’s water system as an “absolutely unmitigated disaster” as the party prepares for its autumn conference in Brighton.
Speaking on 1 October 2026, Rachel Millward called for the full nationalisation of water companies, arguing that bringing the industry back into public ownership is the only way to reverse decades of underinvestment and address the ongoing sewage crisis.
The Green Party’s proposal involves ending dividend payments to shareholders and redirecting those funds into infrastructure. The party estimates that nationalisation would cost approximately £30 billion over five years, a figure that stands in sharp contrast to government estimates, which have previously placed the cost at closer to £100 billion.
Impact on Chichester and the South Coast
The national debate over water ownership comes at a time of significant infrastructure work across West Sussex. Chichester is served by Southern Water, a company that recorded 17,030 sewage spills during 2025.
To address capacity issues and protect the local environment, Southern Water is currently investing £25 million into the Chichester Wastewater Treatment Works. The project, which began in August 2026, is designed to increase the site’s treatment capacity by 57%.
The upgrades are intended to reduce the frequency of storm overflows into Chichester Harbour, a site of significant ecological importance. However, the project is a long-term undertaking, with completion not expected until spring 2029.
Political divide on ownership
The Green Party’s stance, to be formalised during their conference from 2 to 4 October, highlights a growing divide in how the UK’s water crisis should be managed. While the Greens push for state control, the government’s current position remains focused on increased public oversight and stricter limits on shareholder dividends rather than a full takeover.
Under the Green proposal, the transition to public ownership would prioritise the health of waterways over profit margins. Critics of the plan, however, point to the significant upfront cost to the taxpayer and the potential for legal challenges from existing shareholders.
For residents in the Chichester area, the immediate focus remains on the delivery of the current £25 million investment programme and whether the planned capacity increases will be sufficient to protect the Harbour from further discharges in the years ahead.
