Parliamentary Committee warns Defra’s IT systems are outdated, inefficient, expensive and at constant risk of failure or cyber-attack
The House of Commons Public Accounts Committee is warning that the Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs (Defra) IT systems are outdated, inefficient, expensive and at constant risk of failure or cyber-attack.
Parliamentary Committee warns Government “simply not doing enough” to protect UK’s current housing stock from floods
The House of Commons Public Accounts Committee is warning that the Government is simply not doing enough to protect the UK’s current housing stock from floods or stepping in to prevent new homes being built on flood plains.
MPs warn England at “serious risk of running out of water within 20 years” – regulators have failed to tackle the issues
A new report published today by the House of Commons Public Accounts Committee is warning of a serious risk that some parts of England will run out of water within the next 20 years – and accuses all the bodies responsible for the UK’s water supply – Defra, Ofwat and the Environment Agency –of having “taken their eye off the ball.”
Water firms warn government and Ofwat not to undermine investor confidence
Water UK has warned the Government and water sector regulator Ofwat not to act in ways which might undermine the confidence of investors, following the publication yesterday of a report by the Public Accounts Accounts Committee which was highly critical of Ofwat.
Ofwat to “carefully consider” findings of Public Accounts Committee report
Ofwat has said it will “carefully consider the thoughts of the PAC”, following publication of the House Of Commons Public Accounts Committee report which said over-estimating by the water regulator had led to the water companies making at least £1.2 billion in windfall gains over the last five years.
MPs:over-estimating by Ofwat led to £1.2bn in windfall gains by water firms
A report by the influential House of Commons Public Accounts Committee has strongly criticised Ofwat for consistently over-estimating water companies’ costs which led to £1.2 billion in windfall gains - saying “these and other concerns..represent significant and pressing challenges for Ofwat.”
News Showcase
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Webinar to explore moving indirect potable water reuse to full implementation
UK water companies are invited to join an upcoming webinar which will explore how the sector can take indirect potable reuse (IPR) from concept to full-scale operational reality. -
Kohtari CEO says joined-up water intelligence needed to predict, not just react - not more data
James Sumsion, CEO of predictive water intelligence specialists Kohtari, says the water sector needs to take a giant leap forward, so that it can anticipate and act upon water quality issues - rather than merely react. -
IED compliance – using automated sliding floodgates to support secondary containment at water and sewerage company sites
Ray Moulds, Sales Director at Flood Control International, takes a look at how automated sliding floodgates are supporting secondary containment at water and sewerage company sites. -
Making storm overflow data make Sense – Metasphere launches dedicated monitoring device
With the UK government demanding a 50% reduction in storm overflow spills by 2029, the era of reactive management is over. Speaking in the House of Commons on 21 July 2025, then environment secretary Steve Reed said, “This Government will cut water companies’ sewage pollution in half by the end of the decade.”
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Watch
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Scottish Water completes £235m investment in two-way connection between drinking water networks
Hear how Scottish Water has completed its £235 million Ayrshire Glasgow Resilience Project - customers across Greater Glasgow, Ayrshire and East Renfrewshire will now benefit from a more secure and resilient water supply. -
United Utilities accelerates investment to reduce spills from storm overflows across Northwest
Hear how United Utilities is accelerating its investment to reduce spills from storm overflows across the Northwest. -
Working for WSP - what if you could build a career as unique as you? With us, you can
Find out more about the remarkable career opportunities on offer at WSP - scroll down to watch the inspirational video.
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