The Environment Agency has launched a major new consultation on the proposed work programme, timetable and process for working together to review and update the river basin management plans in 2021.

The Consumer Council for Water has told MPs that the water sector regulator has been “overly generous” to water companies and “consumers have overpaid” - and criticised Ofwat for having become “increasingly reliant on water companies self-regulating.”

Industry-leading cyber experts from Atkins, a member of the SNC-Lavalin Group, has launched a warning that companies run a risk of being fined up to £17 million if unable to show they have adopted sufficient cyber security measures to protect information systems.

A report published today by Ofwat has revealed the full impact of the “Beast from the East” on water customers in England and Wales - over 200,000 customers were cut off from supply for more than four hours and tens of thousands were cut off for days.

Ofwat has said the sector needs to find ways to do more for customers and the environment, while at the same time reducing cost in the face of major challenges like rising customer expectations, affordability, climate change, population growth and increased water scarcity.

Water industry regulator Ofwat is calling on the water companies to up their game on water resource management and expressed disappointment that water companies’ draft water resources plans have fallen short of expectations.