Campaigning organisation Surfers Against Sewage has today published its latest Water Quality Report, saying that the report reveals that “sewage is being dumped into our rivers and seas on a scale that defies belief.”

The House of Lords Industry and Regulators Committee is warning that under investment, insufficient government strategy, and inadequate co-ordination has resulted in a failure to “treat water with the care and importance it deserves.”

The Times, i-news and the Daily Telegraph have all launched separate ongoing campaigns to tackle water pollution with a specific focus on pressing for action by the Government, water companies, alongside water sector regulators Ofwat and the Environment Agency.

The Guardian newspaper has published a detailed analysis of the water companies in England which is calling into question the fairness of England’s privatised water model and referring to England’s water as “the world’s piggy bank.”

The House of Lords Industry and Regulators Committee will continue its inquiry on the work of Ofwat, the UK’s water regulator, by taking evidence from three CEOs at UK water companies from 10.30am on Tuesday 18 October.

Ofwat has today published a discussion paper setting out options to strengthen water companies' financial resilience.

Dŵr Cymru Welsh Water has announced a record £47 million customer dividend which will see customer benefit from a range of projects, including a lead pipe replacement programme, support for lowest-earning customers and reservoir visitor centres.

A report in the Financial Times has suggested that the potential renalisation of water companies in England and Wales could cost as little as £14.5 billion – far less than the alternative figure of up to £90 billion suggested by think tank Social Market Foundation in February 2018.

A recent Parliamentary debate in the House of Commons on the future of the UK water sector saw calls for the water companies in England to be based on the Scottish Water public sector model or the Welsh Water ownership model with “democratic public ownership” via new consumer and employee trusts.

Environment Secretary Michael Gove has said that the private water sector model delivers the best outcomes for customers and environment at the best value price – but only when underpinned by strong regulation and companies working harder in the public interest, not just in the interest of shareholders.