Water companies "well prepared" for no deal Brexit

The water sector is "well prepared as possible" for a no-deal Brexit according to a well-placed source. Companies have taken action to stockpile storable treatment chemicals.The most significant risk is a failure in the supply chain for chemicals with short shelf lives, but this is considered to be low.

The sector came out well last week in the government’s leaked Operation Yellowhammer report which detailed the probable consequences of leaving the EU without an agreement. In contrast, the report warned of significant disruption to the supply of medicines, fuel and some fresh foods, as well as transport and travel chaos and public disorder.

Former environment secretary, Michael Gove, now in charge of planning for Brexit, has since said the Yellowhammer report is out of date and that it only considered the very worst case scenario.