Ofwat: ‘Water companies are contributing expertise and perspectives to inform the debate on the future of water, in partnership with all the sector’s stakeholders. Looking forward 25 years and more, the water sector faces challenges from population growth, climate change, tightening environmental standards and changing customer expectations. These challenges will require both significant further investment and continuing evolution of the sector’s regulatory framework. The Ofwat Water 2020 discussion paper published this month sets out some of the challenges facing the sector and the questions these challenges raise. No one organisation has all the answers, so Water UK is hosting a marketplace of ideas, where water companies are setting out their thoughts on future of the water.

It is only by all stakeholders in the sector working in partnership that, together, we can ensure that the sector continues to provide reliable, resilient and value for money services for its customers.

We have already set out the shared vision for the sector as one where customers and wider society have trust and confidence in vital public water and wastewater services.

Population growth and climate change mean that the water sector in England and Wales faces growing pressure to address challenges such as water scarcity and environmental quality while improving the resilience of systems and services to customers.’ The background to economic regulation and key questions are set out at the following link: http://www.ofwat.gov.uk/pricereview/water2020/prs_web201507water2020