(by Karma Loveday) Sir Ian Cheshire has taken over from Dr Roz Rivaz as chair of the boards of Anglian Water Group and Anglian Water Services. The company said the change is timed to ensure continuity of leadership for the development of the Fens and Lincs reservoirs as they progress from the planning stage into design and construction. Neil Hornby, chief executive of the Centre for Environment, Fisheries and Aquaculture Science, will take up the role of Natural England chief

(by Karma Loveday) Water reuse should be mandated in new residential developments of 100+ properties and new commercial developments exceeding 500m². That’s among the recommendations in Bricks and water: building the case for water efficiency and reuse – the fifth instalment in the Bricks and Water series from cross-party think tank Policy Connect in partnership with the Westminster Sustainable Business Forum. The report argued that without action, water scarcity will constra

(by Karma Loveday) Two more water companies have imposed hosepipe bans, as summer heat continues on top of a warm spring. South West Water announced a ban in Mid Devon, parts of East Devon and Dorset as the Environment Agency moved the whole of Devon, Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly into a state of ‘prolonged dry weather’ – in recognition of low levels of rainfall and reduced river flows, in combination with high temperatures and increasing signs of pressure on the environme

(by Karma Loveday) A water announcement is rumoured to be among the flurry of quick-off-the-mark policy positions expected from Andy Burnham, who takes up post as prime minister today. The new leader is reported to be keen to hit the ground running with his message of change by taking prompt action in key areas. There is speculation that the water announcement will concern special administration for Thames Water. Pressure for this is growing. Last Monday, Labour’s Clive Lewis

(by Verity Mitchell) South Staffordshire Water Group has reported full-year results. Revenues increased to £195m from £153m from higher regulated tariffs and water consumption. Operating profit grew 78% to £49.4m from £27.7m, and profit before tax was up 236% to £23.2m from £6.9m. Bad debts remained stable at 4% of household revenue. The company incurred £1.2m of costs from the significant cyber attack in 2022. Capital expenditure was £75.2m (2025: £41.2m). Management said it

(by Verity Mitchell) Northumbrian Water has posted full-year results for 2025-2026. Revenue increased to £1,182m, up 16%; operating profit increased to £383.2m, up 31.7%; and profit before tax of £173.5m was up 52.5%, demonstrating operational leverage from allowed regulated revenue increases. Total fixed asset additions in the year ended 31 March 2026 were £612.6m (31 March 2025: £606.6m), including intangible assets – an increase of £6m, up only c.1%. By the end of the year

(by Verity Mitchell) Portsmouth Water has reported full-year results. Revenues increased by 21% to £60.1m, due to the inflationary and regulatory increases across both household and non-household customers. EBITDA was £20.7m compared to £13.6m, up 52%. Profit before tax was £4m, up 137%. Debt/Regulatory Capital Value was 47.8% reflecting shareholders’ capital injections and loans in 2023 and 2024. Cash dividends were £3m vs £2.8m, up 5.2%. Investments were £33m for the regula

(by Verity Mitchell) Southern Water announced full-year results three years on from launching its turnaround plan in 2023. Revenues were £1,443.2m, up 45%. In 2025–26, Outcome Delivery Incentive penalties relating to performance in AMP7 of £47.5 million, together with £119m for the non-delivery of long-term supply demand schemes, decreased revenue by £139.1m. Operating profit returned, to £304.2m from a loss of £17.4m, but profit before tax (excluding fair value adjustments)

(by Verity Mitchell) Wessex Water has reported full-year results with revenues of £797.5m up from £652.6m, and operating profit up 51% to 249.2m driven by increased regulatory allowances. Profit before tax increased 463% to £95.8m. Capex was £447m, up 6.7%. Management said it was "on track to deliver the [AMP8] programme,” despite the doubling of its size compared to AMP7. The company did not declare a dividend for 2025-2026. Management said "this reflects the shareholders’ c

(by Verity Mitchell) South East Water has reported full-year results. It said 2025-2026 had been a "tough year operationally and financially”. Revenues were £351.8m, up £66.3m (19%) from new regulatory allowances. Operating profit fell to £30.4m from £54.5m because of £54.7m of water supply interruption incident costs. It therefore reported a loss before tax of £45.4m. Shareholders have contributed £30.5m of redress payments for supply interruptions (see below). South East al