Tue, 03 Jun 2025

Tue, 03 Jun 2025 Failing water sector needs stronger regulation, says damning review

The Water Commission finds "deep-rooted, systemic and interlocking failures" in the water sector.

* The Water Commission's interim findings have revealed that the water sector in England and Wales is failing due to pollution, financial difficulties, mismanagement, and infrastructure failures.
* Public trust has been shaken, and there needs to be clearer direction from government, a better approach to long-term investment, and a stronger voice for local communities.
* New legislation will be needed to address these issues, according to the commission's chair, Sir Jon Cunliffe.
* The Environment Secretary described the water system as "broken" and said the UK government would respond to the commission in full.
* The regulators (Environment Agency, Natural Resources Wales, and Ofwat) have been criticized for not doing enough to hold private water companies accountable, with some calling for them to be reformed or replaced.
* The Water Commission is considering options for "significant streamlining and alignment of the regulators" to address these challenges.
* Over 50,000 responses were submitted as part of the review, which has revealed that the current system is not delivering what people expect and need.
* Environmental campaigners are calling for greater regulation and restructuring of water companies themselves, rather than just relying on new legislation.
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