Water UK ‘The water industry in England has set out an ambitious new vision for the 2020s with the publication (3 September 2018) of a Manifesto for Water. It reveals plans for a major investment programme in services, a significant cut in leakage, an overall real-term reduction in bills, and a big increase in help […]
Defra ‘United Utilities shareholders set to receive £181m The Mail on Sunday has reported on water company United Utilities’ plans to pay out £181 million dividends to its shareholders days before a hosepipe ban takes effect across North West England. Coverage focusses on the reported failure of water companies to invest in infrastructure with the equivalent […]
EA ‘The Environment Agency announced that water companies need to do more to protect the environment and published the annual Water Company Environmental Performance report highlighting that severe pollution incidents caused by water companies rose for the third year running last year. Although there has been a gradual improving trend in environmental performance over recent years, the […]
The problem with droughts, unlike floods, is that they are slow train issues … by the time you realise you have a problem it’s too late. The ongoing hot weather and prolonged period of low or no rain has led to United Utilities being the first of the big companies to introduce a hose pip […]
As the great summer weather continues last week saw the first burst of alerts to the public to use less water from Scotland to Thames. This is in measure to try and curb the increased demand such weather provokes. ‘Droughts’ are notoriously slow to develop, and at the point when the seriousness is realised it […]
BBC: Water companies have damaged trust, regulator Ofwat says. High levels of payments to bosses and investors by water companies have damaged customer trust, the regulator Ofwat has said. It has published new rules that will force firms to explain how executive pay is linked to performance and to prioritise customers’ interests. Companies paying dividends […]
BBC Countryfile ‘Countryfile presenter Tom Heap is no stranger to the difficult issues on the show as he is often primed to investigate various problems in the countryside, but tonight’s segment showcasing the horrific reality in the country’s rivers left viewers truly stunned. It’s no secret the United Kingdom is subject to a pollution problem […]
Scope of the inquiry The Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Committee inquiry will consider how well the water industry serves consumers and the environment, how innovation can be encouraged and whether current regulatory enforcement mechanisms are fit for purpose. Further, it will consider the potential benefits of regulatory divergence post-Brexit. Terms of reference: Regulation of […]