England and Wales Water Industry to Face Stricter Controls with New Watchdog

The water sector in England and Wales is set to undergo significant changes following a comprehensive review aimed at addressing past issues. A new sector watchdog will be established to prevent past abuses, with the government planning to merge the powers of various water watchdogs into a new 'super-regulator'.

Environment secretary Steve Reed announced the immediate adoption of five recommendations from the review, including the creation of a real-time sewage map to hold water companies accountable for spills. Campaigners and environment groups will have a greater role in local river clean-up efforts, and regional water boards will be empowered to manage local water bodies and infrastructure planning.

A new super-regulator will replace Ofwat and consolidate the powers of other regulatory bodies to streamline oversight of the industry. The aim is to create a more effective and unified regulatory system to benefit customers and the environment.

While the full implementation of the new regulatory body is not expected until 2027 at the earliest, the government is committed to addressing the shortcomings of the current system. The review also proposes the establishment of an ombudsman with legal powers to assist customers facing water outages.

Campaign groups have expressed mixed reactions to the review, with some calling for further reforms, including renationalization of the water sector. However, the government has ruled out nationalization due to the high estimated cost involved.

Overall, the review aims to improve accountability, transparency, and environmental standards within the water sector to prevent future crises and ensure better outcomes for both consumers and the environment.

According to the source: The Guardian.