Ofwat has published a discussion paper setting out its emerging thinking about a new shared vision for the water sector and Ofwat’s strategy for regulating the water and wastewater companies in England and Wales from 2020 onwards.

Ofwat’s chairman, Jonson Cox, has today called on the water sector to “hit refresh and offer a renewed commitment to customers”.

Ofwat Chief Executive Cathryn Ross has confirmed that customers will be at the heart of the next price review and that Ofwat will strive to deliver lower bills and better service.

Ofwat has warned that a post-Brexit scenario which foresees higher inflation, lower interest rates and lower growth, at the same time as their customers become poorer and find it harder to pay their bills, could pose a very significant challenge for the water sector in terms of customer legitimacy.