09 Jul 2026
Photo credit: Ted Balmer Water companies that break environmental rules now face faster financial penalties of up to £500,000, under changes that strengthen the Environment Agency’s enforcement powers. The reforms let the regulator use the lower civil standard of proof for minor and moderate offending, rather than the criminal standard that previously made many […]
31 Jul 2025
Ofwat has proposed a £62.8m enforcement package following its finding that Anglian Water has breached its legal obligations in operating its wastewater treatment works and network. Ofwat’s investigation found that Anglian Water has failed to operate, maintain and upgrade its wastewater assets adequately to ensure they could cope with the flows of sewage […]
24 Jul 2025
Following the announcement by the UK environment secretary of plans to scrap Ofwat and create a single regulator, reaction from across the water sector and stakeholders has been widespread. A landmark review into the industry – led by Sir Jon Cunliffe – concluded that Ofwat, the Water Services Regulation Authority for England and Wales, should […]
17 Jul 2025
The National Drought Group (NDG) met on 15 July as a drought is declared in the West and East Midlands. Dry weather continues to impact water resources across England requiring water companies to take action to manage demand with the public being urged to use water wisely. While drought conditions continue across much of the […]
17 Jul 2025
Water companies in England and the UK Government have today agreed to an unprecedented series of actions to enable a huge increase in employment and a boost to workforce skills. These commitments come as the water industry embarks on a record £100 billion programme of investment. With the water industry now the second largest source […]
24 Apr 2025
Water companies should no longer be allowed to monitor their own levels of sewage pollution, the industry body has told the BBC exclusively. Instead they are proposing a new, third-party monitoring system to build consumer trust. The recommendation is part of a submission made to the UK government’s independent review into the water […]
27 Nov 2024
Ofwat, the economic regulator for English and Welsh water companies, says it had used new powers to ensure that bonuses at the three companies were paid by shareholders and bondholders – rather than through customer bills – because the payments had not “adequately reflected overall company performance issues”. The companies are Thames, Yorkshire, and Dŵr […]
