Notifications can be managed in browser preferences.Jump to contentIndependentSwipe for next articleIndependent Bulletin homepageDownload our appAllNewsSportCultureLifestyleRebecca Speare-ColeThursday 14 May 2026 02:02 BSTWater distributed to residents in Sussex and Kent as 30,000 homes hit by shortagesThousands of surfers across the UK are set to stage a nationwide protest on Saturday against the deteriorating state of the country's water sector.Led by Surfers Against Sewage (SAS), the “paddle out” demonstrations at over 50 locations will target the private ownership model, which campaigners blame for widespread industry failures.Protesters argue that decades of underinvestment since privatisation in 1989 have led to pervasive leakages, rampant sewage pollution and escalating consumer bills.The action also opposes the new Water Reform Bill, announced in the King’s Speech, which campaigners believe will entrench the continuation of the privatisation model despite proposed reforms.Polling commissioned by SAS indicates that only 7 per cnet of adults in England believe water companies should remain privately owned, with 77 per cent supporting a change in operating model.In fullThousands of surfers to stage ‘paddle out’ protest across UK over ‘broken’ water systemThank you for registeringPlease refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in