According to the government, it has set out “a new plan to clean up our waters and ensure a plentiful supply for the future”.

Specific measures include

• £1.6 billion investment brought forward to speed up vital water infrastructure projects
• a commitment to consult on a ban on the use of plastic in wet wipes
• fines from water companies will be reinvested into a new Water Restoration Fund, making polluters pay for damage they cause to the environment
• new proposals to restrict the use of ‘forever’ chemicals (PFAS)
• Reducing water demand by encouraging water companies to consider how to rapidly increase smart meter installations for household and non-household customers

However, most of the measures have been previously announced, years ago in the case of the ban on wet wipes.

Read the Plan for Water and download the full plan here.