(by Karma Loveday) The Drinking Water Inspectorate has announced that the hearing for the prosecution of South West Water for potential offences under section 70(1) of the Water Industry Act 1991 will take place on 4 March 2026 at 2pm before Exeter Magistrates’ Court. The prosecution follows the Inspectorate’s investigation into the Cryptosporidiosis outbreak event in the Brixham area in 2024. The Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Committee is to hold a public evidence s

(by Karma Loveday) Defra is to review the rules governing the spreading of sewage sludge on land, to reduce health and environmental risks from PFAS. That was part of a strengthened Environmental Improvement Plan (EIP) published last week by the Government. A key feature of the new five-year environmental roadmap is the first-time publication of delivery plans for the statutory targets set under the Environment Act. These provide visibility and will help progress to be tracke

(by Karma Loveday) The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) is to publish a base cost modelling working paper for consultation mid month. In an update to the administrative timetable for the PR24 appeals, the CMA said responses would be welcomed until early January. The statutory deadline for final decisions is 17 March 2026. New Appointment and Variation (NAV) Icosa Water has rebranded to Last Mile Water, to reflect its integration into the multi-utility Last Mile group

(by Verity Mitchell) Business retailer Wave has reported full-year results to 31 March 2025. Group revenue was £554.9m, up 11.9% (2024: £495.5m). The portfolio gross margin — the element of charges retained by the retailer after settlement of wholesale costs — was 8.3%. Management said this is reflective of underlying performance compared to a margin of 9.4% in the previous period. Operating profit fell 16% to £10.3m (2024: £12.3m). Its operating profit margin at 1.85% comp

(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