UKWIR (UK Water Industry Research) has published an update to the Drought Code of Practice to incorporate the experience arising from the 2022 drought.  Consideration has been given to new channels of communication such as social media that was not available in 2013, and agreement has been reached on how to deal with new uses […]

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Consumer Voice reports four new legal claims against UK water companies accused of overcharging millions of customers. Lawsuits against Anglian Water, Northumbrian Water, United Utilities and Yorkshire Water follow an earlier claim against Severn Water. Millions of household customers across the UK could be entitled to compensation following the latest round of lawsuits issued against […]

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Water industry finances are under pressure again. Thames Water Last week, the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Committee questioned Thames Water and Ofwat about the company’s financial situation. This included the nature of the recent £500m equity injection to Thames, its parent company’s ability to pay its debts, Ofwat’s new dividend lock-up powers and prospects […]

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The Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, Steve Barclay, has written to water companies asking them to improve maintenance programmes to ensure these are not a cause of storm overflow discharges. He highlights this is a legal requirement that water companies should already be delivering and states his plans to closely follow […]

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The Sunday Times reports that a part owner of one of the UK’s biggest water suppliers is considering an exit as the sector comes under increasing scrutiny. US-based investment house Corsair is reportedly seeking a buyer for its 30 per cent stake in Kelda, the owner of Yorkshire Water. The company is reportedly looking for […]

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Writing The Mint magazine, Justin Taberham examines the prospects for the UK water sector. Near daily media interest and criticism of water companies’ pollution performance has lately been often stimulated by public reporting or legal action against them. In addition, debt loadings for some companies are at unsustainably high levels and investors have had to […]

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Ofwat has published key facts from water companies’ business plans 2025-2030, with information on proposed increases in investment and customer bills. The regulator is currently scrutinising these plans, including looking at water companies’ ambition for customers and the environment and the affordability of plans for customers. The proposals could see bills increase significantly by 2030, […]

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Water company business plans have been submitted to Ofwat. The five-year plans cover the period 2025 to 2030 and collectively amount to £96 billion of proposed investment, an 88% increase on the previous five years. According to the sector body Water UK, the investment “will secure water supplies against the rising prevalence of drought, ensure […]

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