Ofwat says that under-performance by the majority of water and wastewater companies in England and Wales, will mean companies have to return £114 million to customers next year.

The Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs has formally designated the National Policy Statement (NPS) for water resources infrastructure – the NPS sets out policies for developing nationally-significant infrastructure projects for water resources in England.

Ofwat has launched a new consultation on driving better company performance through clear and effective whistleblowing practices.

The House of Lords Industry and Regulators Committee has criticised the Government’s “lack of leadership and deep-rooted complacency” in the conclusion to its follow-up inquiry into Ofwat, the water industry and the role of Government.

The High Court has ruled in the Government’s favour in two separate but related applications for a judicial review challenge on the lawfulness of the Storm Overflows Discharge Reduction Plan.

The Government was defeated on two key votes in the House of Lords last night in its attempt to change existing legislation on nutrient neutrality for housing developments which protect river water quality and to give itself powers to further amend protections without proper scrutiny.

The Office for Environmental Protection (OEP) has identified possible failures to comply with environmental law by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra), the Environment Agency and Ofwat in relation to the regulation of combined sewer overflows (CSOs).  

Ofwat, the economic regulator for the water sector in England and Wales, is calling on water companies with bold and innovative projects to solve some of the water sector’s biggest challenges to apply to win the fourth Water Breakthrough Challenge.

Proposed changes to the Levelling-up and Regeneration Bill will reduce the level of environmental protection provided for in law and amount to a regression, the Office for Environmental Protection is warning.