Sun, 20 Jul 2025

Sun, 20 Jul 2025 New water ombudsman will tackle leaks and overcharging

The new consumer champion is being launched as part of wider plans to overhaul the water industry.

* A new ombudsman will be established to handle consumer complaints about water companies, including issues with leaky pipes and incorrect bills.
* The new consumer champion is part of a wider plan to overhaul the industry, which has been criticized for its poor handling of sewage discharges and rising bills.
* Environment Secretary Steve Reed has vowed to halve the number of times water firms discharge sewage by 2030.
* A review of the industry by the Water Commission is due on Monday, which may recommend significant changes to the way the sector is regulated.
* The new ombudsman will have legal powers to protect customers in disputes with their water company.
* Consumer bills are expected to rise by an average of £123 per year over the next five years as a result of record investment in the water sector.
* A number of politicians have welcomed the plan for a new ombudsman, but some have expressed concerns that it does not go far enough to address the industry's long-term problems.
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