In an Expert Focus article for Waterbriefing, Richard Whale, water market director for Atkins (a member of the SNC-Lavalin Group), provides a viewpoint of Ofwat’s interim responses to the PR19 submissions.

The Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs has launched a new wide-ranging consultation on its proposals to modernise water regulation, improve long-term planning for water resources and drainage and strengthen powers for Ofwat.

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.

Water regulator Ofwat has today given its initial assessment of water companies’ business plans for 2020-25. Three water companies – Severn Trent, South West Water and United Utilities – have delivered such high-quality plans that they have already been fast-tracked and given the green light by Ofwat.

The House of Commons Environmental Audit Committee has warned that there is a “nitrate time bomb in many of our groundwater sources.”

The Department for Environment Food and Rural Affairs and Health and Safety Executive has published new guidance from the UK Government to businesses that use chemicals on the actions they should take now to minimise any disruption in the event of a no-deal Brexit. 

Water regulator Ofwat has today published its revised board leadership, transparency, and governance Principles. First introduced in 2014, Ofwat launched a review of its Principles last year, following public concerns raised over corporate behaviours in the water sector.

In a keynote speech on the future for environmental principles and governance post Brexit, Emma Howard Boyd, Chair of the Environment Agency has warned over potential risks regarding the Environment Bill post Brexit, saying the policy decisions risked being narrowly defined and that the Agency “would like to be certain all Ministers will respect the principles.”