Image Description: Water treatment facility from a birds-eye view. Image by Tom Fisk.

The Independent Water Commission has released its interim report, ahead of its final findings due in the Summer.

Sir Jon Cunliffe, Chair of the Commission, has set out five areas where he believes wide-ranging and fundamental change is needed to reset the water sector in England and Wales.

These include clearer direction from government, stronger regulation of water companies, bringing decisions on water systems closer to local communities, and greater focus on responsible, long-term investors.

Notably, the report says public trust had been shaken by “pollution, financial difficulties, mismanagement [and] infrastructure failures”. The review was set up by the government in October amid growing public concern about sewage spills and rising bills.

Response to the report

The Consumer Council for Water welcomed the reports recognition that rebuilding trust with the public is key. 

Environmental groups have called for more ambition in the Commission’s final recommendations and would like to see it aiming to really transform the water environment rather than settling for gradual improvement.

Sasha Wood, Director of Science and Policy at Earthwatch, notes the commission omitted the role citizen science could play in complementing official monitoring, and has potentially understated the impact of pollution sources other than sewage, such as transport and agriculture. The Freshwater Habitats Trust also hopes the final report will explicitly recognise small waters, to ensure they are better represented within future law.

Re-nationalisation off the table

Since the government announced this root and branch review of the sector, it has been clear that re-nationalising water companies was not something that would be considered.

Sir Jon re-emphasised this and suggested that the issues facing the sector would exist regardless of who owns and manages companies and assets. While the commission will be able to advise on where resources are needed, it will be for others to agree budgets and how funding is allocated.