WASCs scale back green ambition in response to Environment Agency letter

All English water and sewerage companies are understood to have pared back the environmental programmes being worked up for their PR24 business plans, in response to an Environment Agency’s letter asking them to consider phasing activities into future price review periods.

The letter, sent on behalf of Defra, asked firms to consider taking actions that would reduce the potential deliverability, financeability and affordability risks of Water Resource Management Plans and Water Industry National Environment Programme proposals during the 2025-2030 period (AMP8). This is particularly in light of bill pressure in a cost of living crisis.

The Agency stopped short of demanding changes be made, but urged companies to explore options that would allow for planned ambition to be reigned back.

The full picture won’t be available until companies publish their draft business plans on 2 October, but the large water and sewerage companies are understood to have made trimmed their planned programmes. Smart metering is expected to be a key area where cuts might be made.