(by Karma Loveday) Developments blocked by nutrient pollution in waterways will be the first focus of the new Environmental Delivery Plans (EDPs) being introduced alongside the Nature Restoration Fund. This was confirmed by the Government last week as the Planning and Infrastructure Bill gained Royal Assent. An Implementation Plan published as the Act became law set out the rollout route for the Nature Restoration Fund, which will culminate in the delivery of the first EDPs i

(by Karma Loveday) Consumer Scotland has called for new measures to alleviate the potential rise in water poverty in Scotland over the next few years, as well as longer-term solutions. The statutory customer watchdog awaits Scottish Water’s final business plan for 2027-33, but noted that the draft bills would rise annually by up to 4% plus CPI inflation across the charging period. That would mean bills increase in real terms by as much as 26.5% across the six years and would

(by Karma Loveday) Ofwat has confirmed that Wessex Water will fund an £11m enforcement package after the company failed to operate, maintain and upgrade its wastewater network adequately. The decision follows a November consultation.    Thames Water has agreed a five-year Power Purchase Agreement with RWE to source renewable electricity from an onshore wind farm in Scotland. This will supply up to 15% of Thames Water’s power requirement and contribute to its use of 100% rene

(by Verity Mitchell) As 2025 draws to a close, Thames Water is continuing to draw down its emergency loans, invest and make operational improvements. In the background, at not inconsiderable cost, its creditor group continues to negotiate with Ofwat on a revised longer-term financial arrangement to secure the utility’s refinancing. Thames Water has deferred awarding bosses retention payments totalling £2.5m to avoid public censure. The retention payment package for 21 senior

(by Karma Loveday) A statutory report by Defra to Parliament on the progress of the Storm Overflow Discharge Reduction Plan (SODPR) shows mixed results in the first three years. Between August 2022 when the plan was published (it was extended in 2023) until August 2025, progress against the targets was as follows:  The target for storm overflows discharging into or near ‘high priority sites’ (HPS) such as chalk streams not to cause local adverse ecological impact by 2045 – pe

(by Karma Loveday) Governments should consider setting minimum water usage effectiveness (WUE) and power usage effectiveness (PUE) standards for new data centre facilities. That was one of five priorities set out in a major new report from the Water Services Association of Australia (WSAA) defining the importance of water to the success of the data centre sector in Australia. WSAA said its research is intended to inform water and data sector planners, policy-makers and stakeh

(by Verity Mitchell) Since 2017, water companies in England have played a significant role in the UK's green finance sector, issuing approximately one fifth of the UK’s green bonds. This amounts to £10.5bn in bonds dedicated to supporting projects described as delivering environmental benefits, according to research conducted by Unearthed, an investigative unit within Greenpeace UK. Anglian Water has been the largest issuer in the sector, issuing £3.5bn in green bonds, while

(by Verity Mitchell) Revenue at Yorkshire Water increased by 28% to £833m in the half-year, the result of the increased price allowance for the first year of AMP8. Operating profit increased by 60% to £278.7m. Capital expenditure fell from £404.3m to £395.8m. The company said that “the marginal decrease is due to the start of the new AMP as we move to the earlier stage of the cycle and are now building up the investment programme.” It stated that a “focus for us over the firs

(by Verity Mitchell) South Staffs has reported half-year results. Turnover increased to £96.6m from £75.9m, driven by the new price control. Operating profit before exceptional items grew to £24.2m from £15.8m. Debt/RCV decreased substantially to 61.1% from 69.4%, reflecting the delay in the ramp-up of capital expenditure. Purchase of tangible fixed assets in its cashflow statement fell slightly to £19.3m from £20.3m. Management flagged that, because of the prolonged hot and

(by Verity Mitchell) Revenue for the half-year at Affinity Water increased by 20.9%, primarily due to AMP8 tariff rises and a rise in consumption due to the hot weather over the summer. Operating profit increased by 62.5% to £42m, driven by the increase in revenue and energy price reduction, and offset by a rise in inflation and increased operational costs due to the hot weather's impact. Shareholders have committed to inject £150m of equity into the company by 31 March 2026.