Other stories from last week

(by Karma Loveday)

David Hill, Defra’s director general for strategy and water, will now focus on water only. His adjusted role, as director general for water, is in recognition of the volume and significance of Defra’s work on water as the sector is reformed. 

The Scottish Government is seeking a new chair for the Water Industry Commission for Scotland. The application window runs until 27 April. Interim WICS chair Ronnie Hinds shared: “We are looking for someone who is passionate about Scotland’s public water sector and who understands the importance of strong, independent economic regulation. The ideal candidate will bring strategic insight, experienced leadership, and the ability to work collaboratively with fellow Commission Members and across the industry.”

The Competition and Markets Authority has now published its full final redeterminations for the PR24 appeals of Anglian Water, Wessex Water, Northumbrian Water, South East Water and Southern Water. A summary document was previously available. 

All regions in England are now classed as in normal status, after East Anglia became the final area to move out of drought recovery. This follows four months of above-average rainfall. Reservoir levels across the country are at 95%, which is above average for this time of year, and groundwater and river flows are normal. The Environment Agency said: “The risk of drought in 2026 is currently low but there remains the possibility of a flash drought — brought about by a sudden combination of very low rainfall and hot temperatures, like we experienced in 2022.” Water companies had until the end of March to finalise their statutory drought plans, which are produced every five years and detail how public supplies and the environment will be protected during dry weather.   

Eel fisherman Declan Conlon has brought a case in Belfast’s Royal Court of Justice, challenging Northern Ireland’s environment department for failing to comply with its obligations to safeguard Lough Neagh from agricultural and wastewater pollution. The claim uses eight legal grounds, including DAERA’s failure to adopt an adequate or lawful River Basin Management Plan. Campaigner River Action has applied to intervene to raise legal and practical matters. The first hearing took place last week and the case will return to court on 1 May. 

Ofwat said non-household retailer Clear Business Water has provided undertakings under section 19 of the Water Industry Act 1991 to return to compliance with the Customer Protection Code of Practice (CPCoP). Ofwat monitoring unearthed back billing concerns. Clear Business Water subsequently confirmed that approximately 309 customers had been incorrectly back billed (to the total value of £350,000) in excess of the timeframes permitted by the CPCoP between October 2024 and October 2025, either due to a change of tenancy or a data error.