Join/Donate

#DearJon

Radical reform of the water industry is in one man’s hands

The water system in England & Wales is broken. Let’s fix it.

Sick of swimming in sewage? Tired of water companies raking in profits while pollution runs rampant and your water bills go up?

This year, we have the chance to change the system—but we have to speak up.

Jon is Listening. Whose Voice Will Be Louder?

The government has asked Sir Jon Cunliffe (a.k.a. Jon) to lead a Commission on water reform in England and Wales. Right now, he’s gathering evidence. We fought long and hard alongside grassroots campaigners and Ocean Activists across the UK to make this moment a reality.

Now we must use this opportunity to make real change happen.

Water bosses and lobbyists are already whispering in Jon’s ear. Let’s drown them out.

How to Take Action

We need your voice to make sure Jon hears the public—not just industry spin. Here’s how you can help.

1. Take our survey

We will be submitting evidence to the Independent Water Commission and we want to add your voice. Only have 2 minutes? Then take our quick-fire survey, below.

Take the 2 minute survey

Want to go deeper? We’re working with 38 Degrees to provide the Independent Water Commission with in-depth insights from you, the public. So, if you have 10 minutes, and want to dig deeper into your views on our water system, take the survey below.

Take the 10 minute survey

2. Post a #DearJon Video

Join the #DearJon social media campaign – Record a short video sharing your frustration about swimming, surfing, and living with sewage pollution. Demand radical water reform.

  • Address a personal message to Jon
  • Call out the water companies polluting for profit
  • Tell Jon why action is urgent, and why it’s important to YOU
  • Use #DearJon and tag us on social media so we can see it and share it.

See the #DearJon videos so far

Find us on social media:

Watch the example below if you need some inspiration.

How to create a #DearJon video

  • Keep it simple – a phone selfie video works perfectly, no need for fancy kit.
  • Find a spot that speaks to your message (record by the sea, river, or anywhere relevant).
  • Keep it short & direct – aim for 30-60 seconds.
  • Speak clearly and passionately – this is your chance to be heard!
  • BONUS: rally your community behind you to showcase all those who will be affected by Jon’s decisions.
  • Introduce yourself: “Dear Jon, I’m [Your Name] from [Your Location].”
  • Share your experience: “Last summer, I got sick after swimming because of sewage pollution…”
  • Demand action: “We need radical reform of the water industry – no more pollution, no more profits over people!”
  • Call others to join: “This is my #DearJon message. What’s yours?”

Post your video on Instagram, TikTok, X (Twitter), Facebook, or LinkedIn using #DearJon in your caption and tag us.

Tag Surfers Against Sewage so we can reshare your video!

More information about the campaign

Who is Sir Jon Cunliffe?

Sir Jon Cunliffe is ex-Deputy Governor of the Bank of England, ex-UK Permanent Representative to the EU but crucially now the Chair of the Independent Water Commission. 

Jon, along with his team who sit on the Commission, hold the future of the water industry in England and Wales in his hands.  

What is the Independent Water Commission and why should I care?

Established in October 2024, following the pressure of our #EndSewagePollution election campaign, the Independent Water Commission is responsible for delivering the government “practical and deliverable” recommendations on how to reform the water sector in England and Wales. And the government will listen. 

This is a once in a generation chance to reform the water industry in England and Wales. The message is louder and clearer than ever: the Commission must take radical action which ends polluting our waterways for profit. It’s time for a system that places the health of the planet and people first, not the health of shareholders’ bank balances.  

We are only a few months into 2025, and we are still seeing sewage dumped in our seas and rivers at an astonishing rate. There is a sewage pollution crisis. Water companies continue to break the law, polluting our blue spaces whilst taking home big bonuses, all while consumer bills are rising. We are sick of this and the time for change is now. We cannot see pollution for profit continue. 

A Call for Evidence has begun on the management of the water industry, which will see Sir Jon and his team review evidence from across the board, including from the public. This is a critical step, and we will be feeding evidence and questions into this enquiry.  

The public are also able to submit evidence, however, it is a beast of a process, and so we’re helping you make your voice heard.

What is the issue with the water industry? Why does it need to change? 

Despite years of investment, sewage and agricultural pollution still plague our seas and rivers. Huge volumes of contaminated effluent and run-off mean the UK is ranked last in Europe for bathing water quality. The UK’s antiquated sewerage system is woefully inadequate. Water companies have failed to invest to protect the coastal and river environment. They instead rely on a network of around 18,000 licensed sewer overflows to routinely discharge raw sewage into rivers and the ocean.

Whilst raw sewage flows into our blue spaces, making us sick and damaging ecosystems, polluters have simply been profiteering. Water companies have paid out an eye watering £60 billion in dividends to shareholders over the last 30 years. Fat cat CEOs are often granted six figure pay packets every year, all whilst consumer water bills continue to rise.

The current system is broken, and we demand a water industry that delivers for people and the planet, not one that benefits the bank balances of shareholders. We are demanding transformational reform of the water industry.

Is SAS providing evidence to the Commission? 

Yes! SAS has submitted evidence to the Commission as part of the official call for evidence. We are calling on the Water Commission to deliver ambitious recommendations that lead to transformational reform of the industry. We need to see an end to pollution for profit and reform must deliver a fair and transparent system that prioritises public health and value for customer money, and our blue spaces must stop being treated like open sewers by water companies.

The incentives of the water industry must not be to deliver profit. The Commission must ensure that the water industry in England and Wales works for people and the planet, not shareholders pockets. Sir Jon Cunliffe and the Independent Water Commission’s review must call out this problem to ensure the water industry can tackle the cause of pollution at it source.