In response to a new report on England’s water sector from the Independent Water Commission (IWC), the Secretary of State for the Environment has announced the creation of a new water regulator to be responsible for the entire water system, replacing Ofwat (the Water Services Regulation Authority).
This is one of five recommendations from the IWC to be fast-tracked by the government – including the creation of a real-time sewage map with automatic data, giving more power to campaigners and environment groups over the clean-up of local rivers, and the creation of regional water boards with powers to clean up rivers and seas locally, and plan essential infrastructure.
In the biggest overhaul of the country’s water sector since privatisation, the new water regulator will take responsibility of water functions across those previously administered by Ofwat (the Water Services Regulation Authority), the Environment Agency, Natural England, and the Drinking Water Inspectorate, bringing the sector’s economic, environmental and drinking water regulation under one body.
The Commission’s proposals will be consulted on this autumn and form the basis of a new Water Reform Bill.
