The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs has launched a new consultation on proposals to transfer ownership private water supply pipes to the water supply companies.

Businesses and organisations are being asked for their views on European Union policies to find out whether being a part of the EU helps or hinders their work on the environment and climate change.

A report in yesterday’s Financial Times says that the Conservatives are in the process of developing policies to increase competition among utilities – including the water sector.

Water industry regulator Ofwat has published proposals outlining how it expects companies to submit their business plans for the regulatory period 2015-2020, as it reveals its risk-based approach to reviewing companies’ strategies.

The Department of Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) has flagged up crucial gaps in the existing evidence base used to support Government decision-making in key areas of water sector policy, including flood and coastal erosion risk management, drinking water quality and water availability.

The Environment Agency has launched a consultation on a proposal to use Environmental Improvement Unit Charge funds to implement hydromorphological measures - the outcome could have potentially significant implications for the amount of compensation currently paid to water companies when abstraction licences are withdrawn.

Chancellor George Osborne has set out plans in the Budget for a “generous” tax regime for the emerging shale gas industry in the UK, which will undoubtedly bring opportunities for companies involved in water treatment.

Water companies should treat the interests of customers as at least as important as those of shareholders, according to Jonson Cox, the recently appointed Chairman of the water industry regulator Ofwat.