As extreme weather events such as flooding increase, pressure will continue on the water supply network in relation to repair and renewal of its infrastructure. Delays in repair and renewal due to financial pressures combined with a focus on restricting end-point cost to the consumer may lead to an increase in claims relating to alleged water contamination and sewage pollution. Any discharge of pollutants or contaminated water supply has the capacity to affect a large number of people with an attendant risk of significant numbers of claims. The potential liability of water utility companies has been widened as a result of the Supreme Court decision in the Manchester Ship Canal case in 2024, in that they can be liable in nuisance for pollution caused by discharges of foul water even where there has been no negligence or deliberate misconduct.  An increase in such nuisance claims is anticipated and first party property insurers are likely to want to put a renewed focus on pursuing subrogated recoveries for such losses.