01 Aug 2023
Ofwat has concluded that only seven of the 42 PR24 bespoke performance commitments (PCs) submitted by water companies in April are potentially suitable for further development. These come from six firms: South West, Anglian, Thames, SES, Affinity and Southern. Most of the others, which were received from 12 companies in all (four firms opted not […]
13 Jul 2023
The Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Committee quizzed key decision-makers involved with Thames Water to a public hearing of the Committee on Wednesday 12 July to explain the difficulties facing the company and the water industry more generally. The Committee asked about the causes of the problems facing Thames Water and the potential solutions – […]
05 Jul 2023
Ofwat has issued a statement on financial resilience in the water sector, seeking to provide reassurance following recent media reports, especially concerning Thames Water. The regulator says that “overall, the sector is continuing to attract international capital and is especially attractive to long term investors such as pension funds. Indeed, there has been an additional […]
05 Jul 2023
Ofwat has brought forward 33 schemes from 2025-30, to be commenced over the next two financial years, valued at £2.2bn, up from the £1.6bn consulted on in April. The additional £600 million will deliver: Ten schemes worth close to £1.7bn to reduce overflow spills by around 10,000 per year. The installation of 462,000 smart meters […]
28 Jun 2023
Latest update from the joint Environment Agency Ofwat investigation will be concerning for the whole industry The Environment Agency’s national investigation into potential breaches of permit conditions at wastewater treatment works by water and sewerage companies. On 18 November 2021, the Environment Agency and Ofwat announced separate major investigations into potential widespread non-compliance by water and sewerage companies […]
28 Jun 2023
Ofwat is consulting on changes to charging rules in the form of a common framework for water companies to offer stronger and more standardised environmental incentives to developers to encourage them to build new homes that are more water efficient and with sustainable drainage. The consultation relates primarily to English water companies, for which Ofwat […]
14 Jun 2023
Ofgem will be legally required to consider the UK’s net-zero carbon emissions target in all decision making, after the UK Government backed down to widespread pressure. The legal mandate is included within an amendment to the Energy Bill. The Department for Energy Security & Net Zero (DESNZ) has said it will amend the regulator’s existing […]
24 May 2023
Farmers could soon be reimbursed for creating water storage ponds or water “batteries” as part of an innovative drought-prevention project that has today received funding from Ofwat’s Innovation Fund. With droughts affecting the UK for much of last summer, the project, from Westcountry Rivers Trust and South West Water, will not only contribute to better […]
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