(by Karma Loveday) At the time of writing, a boil water notice remained in place for 24,000 South East Water customers in the Tunbridge Wells area. The company took the decision to recharge its network on 3 December so customers – some of whom have been off supply since 29 November – can flush their loos and wash. But it stressed the water did not meet regulatory drinking standards and so should not be consumed or used in food preparation without boiling first. A bad chemical

(by Verity Mitchell) Ofgem has published price controls for electricity transmission and gas networks. Compared to the £104bn of totex for water, Ofgem is only allowing £28.1bn of upfront investment across the electricity transmission (ET), gas transmission (GT), and gas distribution (GD) price controls. Ofgem said this is a 16% increase from the draft determinations, based on better supporting evidence and updated modelling. The regulator admitted that this is only part of a

(by Verity Mitchell) Fitch Ratings saw an improvement for water in its UK Utilities Outlook for 2026. It said that the Cunliffe review proposals constructively target financial stability, regulatory consolidation and stronger consumer protection. The core recommendation – an integrated water regulator for England and a similar body for Wales – should simplify oversight, cut duplication and close gaps. Fitch said it is too early to judge the effects of these changes on its reg

(by Verity Mitchell) Thames Water reported financial results for the half year ending 30 September 2025, with underlying revenue increasing by 42% to £1,880m. The increase was attributable to the new price controls. Underlying EBITDA rose by 69% to £1,211m, reflecting not only the increase in revenue but also better control of operating costs as the company transforms its operations. The company reported a profit after tax of £328m, compared to the prior period’s loss after t

(by Karma Loveday) Only one-third of sites that are meant to be protected for nature are now in ‘favourable condition’. That is among the findings from a Office of Environmental Protection (OEP) study into how the regulations covering Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSIs), Special Areas of Conservation (SACs) and Special Protection Areas (SPAs) are being put into practice. The report, Review of implementation of laws for terrestrial and freshwater protected sites in En

(by Karma Loveday) Thames Water has lifted its hosepipe ban , citing that recent rainfall has helped restore groundwater levels in its western region and the Farmoor Reservoir near Oxford. This is now 90% full, which is average for the time of year. Storage in London is steadily improving but remains below average for the time of year. Water Plus and a trio of explorers rowing across the Atlantic have teamed up to raise awareness and engagement on reducing planetary impact.

(by Karma Loveday) The water required for hydrogen and carbon capture projects will likely push some UK regions into a deficit as early as 2030, putting both decarbonisation and wider growth at risk. That’s according to a study commissioned by retailer Wave from Durham University. The research assessed how much water will be needed to reach net zero by 2050 across England’s five largest industrial clusters: Humberside, North West England, Tees Valley, the Solent, and the Blac

(by Verity Mitchell) Chancellor Rachel Reeves, in her Budget speech, took credit for the current Government’s achievement in “resolving the historic under-investment in water infrastructure across England and Wales which has led to bill increases over the past 12 months”. Admitting that that under-investment has been the problem, rather than poor operational and financial management, reflects the Government’s recognition that there needs now to be a more supportive rhetoric a

(by Karma Loveday) The Office for Environmental Protection (OEP) has announced an investigation into Northern Ireland’s Department for Infrastructure (DfI), Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA) and the Utility Regulator over the regulation of sewage discharges into Belfast Lough. The investigation will examine the regulation of discharges of untreated sewage from wastewater treatment works and combined sewer overflows, and determine whether these a

(by Karma Loveday) 93% of England’s bathing waters met the Environment Agency’s standards in the 2025 season. Of the 449 designated sites, 297 (66%) were ‘excellent’, up from 289 last year. Meanwhile 32 sites (7%) were classified as ‘poor’, down from 37 last year. The results continued a multi-year trend of improvement, although inland bathing sites continued to struggle. The Government’s new Bathing Water Regulation reforms came into force on 21 November. These reforms chang