When Thames water was publicly owned it had no debt. Since privatisation 30+ years ago, it has paid out huge amounts in dividends and simultaneously accrued billions in debt, all while failing to maintain the pipes or treat sewage, opting to pump raw sewage into clean rivers and risk fines instead.

For the last six months they have been threatening to 'run out of money' and if Thames Water goes bust, then the taxpayer will be the ultimate one footing the bill for the poor financial decisions of a badly run corporate venture whilst the CEO can swan off with millions in his pockets.

The UK government has started making plans for what might happen... So far a 500M loan has been made (that Thames Water declared as equity, rather than debt in their finances).

Will Thames Water keep chugging towards collapse, raising the national poverty line and breadline? (Or will it use the loan to turn around or at least limp back away from the cliff edge of collapse?)

https://www.bbc.com/news/business-66051555

https://www.theguardian.com/business/2023/dec/05/thames-water-turnaround-profits-auditors