Ofwat has said that its forward work programme 2023-24 will include the conclusion of its project to consider how the water companies and the regulator can use insights from whistle-blowers to improve the water companies’ performance.

Ofwat is today launching the Water Discovery Challenge, a new £4 million competition for innovators outside of the water sector with bold ideas that can help solve some of its biggest challenges.

The House of Lords Industry and Regulators Committee will continue its inquiry on the work of Ofwat by taking evidence from Thérèse Coffey MP, Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs from 3pm tomorrow.

Ofwat has asked the water companies in England and Wales to set out their preparations for and response to the mid-December 2022 freeze thaw event – and expressed concerns that “some companies may have failed to support their customers in the manner we would expect.”

The first report of the Office for Environmental Protection (OEP) is warning that the “natural environment in England remains under serious threat” with “little good news to report.” 

The Government has announced it will make sustainable drainage systems mandatory to new developments in England – the new approach to sustainable drainage is set to reduce flood risk and clean up rivers. 

Water UK is warning that a new Government proposal to tackle nutrient pollution in rivers will have the unintended consequence of forcing water companies to rebuild sewage treatment works with solutions that must (without exception) use new concrete and steel – rather than creating woodlands, reed beds and wetlands that can be faster, more effective, and cheaper.

A study conducted on behalf of Ofwat and CCW on assessing the affordability and acceptability of water companies’ AMP8 business plans to customers has flagged up the scale of the challenges the water companies could face in engaging effectively with their customers on a range of issues.