In an Expert Focus article for Waterbriefing, Suzanne Rab, barrister from Serle Court discusses why Bristol Water’s decision to split its upstream and downstream businesses following Ofwat’s investigation of a dispute with Self-Lay Organisations has raised issues of fundamental importance for the water sector in the run-up to the introduction of further competition in 2017.

From April 2016, large companies will be required to publish their payment practices twice a year to make sure that small companies do not get caught out. Large firms will have to publish the information to a central digital location such as an online portal, which will be made publically available by the government.

MPs are concerned that the hollowing out of Defra has left the core Department less effective in persuading decision-makers in other government departments and Brussels to follow its agenda.

In a case which Ofwat says raises “issues of strategic significance” for the water sector, the regulator has published its final decision to accept binding commitments from Bristol Water under the Competition Act 1998 on new water connections.

Enterprise software specialist AMT-Sybex, part of Capita plc, has flagged up six key risks for water quality data in the run-up to the opening of the competitive marketplace in 2017.

A new paper by the European Commission on the implementation of EU water legislation says that while progress has been made there is still work to do.

The Government has said it will limit the statutory consultee role for Lead Local Flood Authorities (LLFAs) to major development in relation to surface water drainage - the policy for sustainable drainage systems will be kept under review.