Mon, 19 Jan 2026

Mon, 19 Jan 2026 Water companies to face regular MOT-style checks in industry shake-up

The government says the industry will have nowhere to hide, but campaigners say the reforms do not go far enough.

* The government is introducing a major overhaul of the water industry in England and Wales, including: + Regular inspections without notice + MOT-style checks on water infrastructure + Compulsory water efficiency labels on appliances + Smart meters to help households monitor usage and costs
* Environment Secretary Emma Reynolds says there will be "nowhere to hide" for poor-performing water companies
* The reforms aim to improve the industry's performance, which has been marred by pollution incidents, leaks, and water outages affecting thousands of customers in recent years
* The government is replacing Ofwat with a new regulator and creating a chief engineer role at the new body
* Campaigners say the proposed changes do not go far enough and that the government should consider nationalizing the sector
* Water companies say it will take time for the benefits of new investments to be felt, and that establishing a new regulator may take a year or more
* Average water bills have risen by 26% in the past year, with £123 added to each bill, after years of below-inflation increases.
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