Expert hiring specialist, Murray McIntosh, is warning that the ongoing scrutiny of Thames Water is exacerbating the recruitment struggles being felt across the entire water industry.
According to the firm’s 2025 Water Industry Labour Report, nearly half (49%) of water engineers believe that a lack of resources is the biggest problem facing water, almost double the figure reported last year.
Respondents indicated that the scope of AMP8 and public perception of the industry were two of the biggest drivers of the sector’s issues at the moment.
As a result, two-thirds (66%) of the workforce are set to leave the industry for other sectors in the next few years.
According to Adam Cave, Managing Director and founder at Murray McIntosh, the continued ‘spotlight of negativity’ could amplify the pre-existing talent shortages that have already been felt across water, potentially pushing more out of the industry and preventing new recruits from pursuing a career in the sector.
He explained:
“People shortages have been rife in water for some time, and while the issue may be multifaceted, we can’t ignore the sheer fact that the negative perception of the industry is making this worse. Yes, there is an issue in relation to the scale of demand far outreaching the availability of resources, but how many engineers are going to want to put their neck on the line and choose a career in water, when there is so much criticism of the sector?
“The simple fact is, the Thames Water saga is being driven by multiple issues behind the scenes that have led to this unfortunate situation, one of which is the significant recruitment and retention challenges that the entire water industry is facing. The sector faces profound and entrenched problems with the talent market, which are ramping up at the worst possible time, just at the start of the largest and most demanding asset management period in history. While the headlines are taken up by issues related to bonus payments and pollution, it’s skills that are the most fundamental issue facing the market, but one that is too often overlooked.
“We need to reshape the perception of UK water, keep engineers operating in this industry, and encourage the next generation to consider careers within it. That is no easy task, and requires a true collective focus from across the market, which we are simply not seeing at the moment.”
Amiblu, a global leader in Glass Reinforced Plastic (GRP) pipe systems for wastewater, stormwater, drinking water, irrigation, hydropower, and industrial applications, has announced the appointment of Martyn Turton as its Sales Director for the UK & Ireland, driving strategic market development in the infrastructure and water sectors, effective immediately.
As a project manager at Metasphere, a Grundfos-owned remote telemetry company at the cutting edge of innovation, Fey McHarg, has witnessed firsthand how the intelligent harnessing of data, specifically through the data-as-a-service model, is fundamentally reshaping and revolutionising the water sector.
Attendees at next month’s National Civils Show, Floodex, National Drainage Show and Waterways Management on 26th and 27th November are set to benefit from an expert speaker line-up and the opportunity to visit a wide range of exhibitors all co-located in one place at Excel, London, one of the UK’s leading international exhibition and convention centres.
Tackling leakage is one of the fastest and most cost-effective ways for utilities to bolster water security, writes Ben Crabtree, Product Line Director, Ovarro, revealing how the potential of smart technologies is being demonstrated around the world.
Hear how United Utilities is accelerating its investment to reduce spills from storm overflows across the Northwest.
Find out more about the remarkable career opportunities on offer at WSP - scroll down to watch the inspirational video. 
What is to be done about the UK’s failing utilities? Listen to Professor Dieter Helm explore the options to tackle the UK’s failing utilities – Thames Water, the Royal Mail and Network Rail in particular.