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 […]

18 May 2023

On 11 May, Ofwat Chief Executive David Black spoke at the CCW and MET Office climate change adaptation event in Exeter. This document contains his full speech and slides which talk about the water sector’s role in adapting to climate change and how PR24 will drive companies to accelerate efforts.