(by Karma Loveday) Ofwat has approved, and will implement on 16 December, a “clear, robust, and future-proof definition for smart AMI meters”. In its decision document on code change proposal CPW163, Ofwat explained the current definition is vague, opening the way for meters that require visual reads to be included. Specifically, this relates to smart AMI meters that are installed but not yet connected to the communication network, and smart AMI meters where equipment failure

(by Karma Loveday) The Environment Agency and Ofwat have identified “serious concerns” with Affinity Water’s security of supply risk and called for “immediate action to address the issues” – with a warning of escalation and enforcement if this does not happen within the required timeframe. In a joint letter with Defra on the 2025 annual review of the company’s Water Resource Management Plan (WMRP), the regulators set out the following concerns:  Distribution input and per cap

(by Karma Loveday) The Regulators’ Alliance for Progressing Infrastructure Development (RAPID) is consulting until 29 January on its draft decision that the South East Strategic Reservoir Option (SESRO) solution should pass Gate Three of its staggered approval process.   This decision would unlock £100m in funding, enabling the solution to continue refinement on its journey to Gate Four. The next stage of work includes further design development, finalising the groundwater fl

(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