(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

(by Verity Mitchell) Pennon Group’s share price performed strongly on the day of its half-year results, partially reflecting post UK Budget bond market movements, as the company returned to profit.  At the half year, profit before tax was £65.9m, rebounding from a loss of £38.8m previously. Regulated revenue in water rose 26% year on year from strong demand over the summer and regulated price rises. The step change in underlying EBITDA, an increase of £91m (up 55%) to £254.4m

(by Verity Mitchell) Welsh Water reported half-year results that benefitted from increased allowed revenues from the new price control. Revenue at Welsh Water increased by 27% to £459m. The company incurred £15m of restructuring and transformation costs, £7m of professional fees associated with consultancy support, and £8m of employee-related costs associated with a redundancy programme for 500 roles. Operating profit was £87.1m compared to a loss of £1.2m in the comparative

(by Karma Loveday) Scottish Water achieved its highest overall service score to date in the 2024-25 assessment of its performance in by the Water Industry Commission for Scotland (WICS), the regulator’s fourth annual report of the 2021-27 period. The company secured its highest-ever Outcome Performance Measure score, improving in eight of nine measures, including supply interruptions, low-pressure incidents and serious pollution events. WICS noted that favourable weather cond

(by Karma Loveday) The Environment Agency is running its second consultation on updating River Basin Management Plans , this time to ask for views on the challenges rivers face. The Significant water management issues consultation is open until 20 May. Environment secretary Emma Reynolds will give evidence on water and environmental regulation to the House of Lords Industry and Regulators Committee at 2pm on Tuesday. Members are expected to ask questions on the water White

(by Karma Loveday) A ban on the sale of wet wipes containing plastic has been signed into law in England. There will be an 18 month transition period, with the ban coming into force in Spring 2027. Medical exemptions are allowed. Defra said a further ban on manufacture will be considered once the ban on supply and sale has come into force. The ban only applies to wipes containing plastic. Water minister Emma Hardy has written to manufacturers urging that product labelling for

(by Karma Loveday) New meter reading performance standards and charges will come into force on 1 December, after Ofwat approved code changes CPM058c and CPW149c, giving effect to the latest stage of Market Performance Framework reform. Five new standards on cyclic and transfer meter reads will join the three linked to BR-MeX that came into force in April, forming the Key Performance Indicators for trading parties under the reformed system. The intention has been to sharpen in

(by Karma Loveday) The Consumer Council for Water (CCW) has advised water companies to take tailored approaches to water saving advice for customers after conducting a study of how 2,000 people define essential and non-essential water use. The key findings were: Most consumers described essential use as water needed for hydration (63%) and personal hygiene (33%). Activities such as gardening and washing the car were widely viewed as non-essential, despite being part of many p