Other stories from last week

(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 session on 6 January to scrutinise the recent water supply and quality incident affecting Tunbridge Wells. It has summoned South East Water chief executive David Hinton and the Drinking Water Inspectorate to give evidence. 

South Staffs and Cambridge Water has appointed Dominique Mowle as finance director. She joins from Severn Trent, and has previously held senior finance positions at Groupe PSA, Home Retail Group and Barclays.

European investment group Eurazeo will acquire a majority stake in Colchester-based alternative water supplier Water Direct. Through the Eurazeo Transition Infrastructure Fund, the investor will support Water Direct’s next phase of growth by accelerating the expansion of its fleet and logistics network, and strengthening its digital capabilities.

As part of its winter appeal to highlight how ‘Everything starts with water,’ WaterAid has created a dehydrated Christmas dinner and is sharing the news that a typical festive feast for four has a water footprint of over 15,000 litres (125 bathtubs). WaterAid’s waterless meals are available to win at WaterAid’s Instagram, while virtual meals can be purchased as an alternative gift for the person who has everything, available on WaterAid’s Shop for life for £11 – the average cost of a Christmas dinner, which could buy a tap stand for a family in Madagascar.

Water UK chief executive David Henderson gave evidence alongside an agricultural representative and academics last week to the Environmental Audit Committee inquiry into Addressing the risks from PFAS.

The Lords’ Environment and Climate Change Committee continued to take evidence in its Drought preparedness inquiry. Last week featured Water Resources South East managing director Meyrick Gough and MOSL chief executive Sarah McMath.

The British Standards Institute has awarded Wessex Water the BSI Kitemark for Inclusive Service. Assessors identified comprehensive vulnerability support at Wessex Water, including training and tailored tariffs for customers with varying financial needs or difficulties.

87.5% of wholesalers and retailers active in the business market rated MOSL’s overall performance at four or above on a 1-5 scale, according to the market operator’s annual survey. Over the past six months, 95.8% gave MOSL a four out of five or higher rating for core services, and 87.5% gave the same rating for improvement services. 

South West Water has awarded Galliford Try Phase 1 of its Continuous Water Quality Monitoring Programme. This will involve the installation of 86 samplers across a range of wastewater assets in Devon and Cornwall, designed to track water health in response to Section 82 of the Environment Act, under which water companies are required to continuously monitor river and stream water quality.

Barhale has secured three project wins under United Utilities’ £3bn Better Rivers programme, aimed at improving water quality and protecting over 300 miles of waterways across the North West. The contracts – at Cheadle in Stockport, and Wheatfield Close and Thornton in Merseyside – will increase storage capacity and improve network performance, to help United Utilities meet its target of reducing spills from storm overflows by 60% before 2030.

Ofwat has confirmed the permitted adjustment for inflation that will underpin the maximum price caps retailers can charge small (Group One)  business customers in the 2026-27 charging year. Based on October 2025 CPIH, the permitted adjustment is 1.12. The table below shows the allowances permitted under the Retail Exit Code as a result.