CLEAN WATER, CLEAR EXPECTATIONS: PREET KAUR GILL MP WELCOMES BIGGEST OVERHAUL IN A GENERATION

• A new Chief Engineer to bring technical expertise to new regulator, ending days of water companies marking their own homework

• New ‘MOT’ checks on water infrastructure to stop water company assets being left to crumble and powers for regulator to intervene early where failures spotted

• Wider rollout of smart meters and mandatory efficiency labels on items like dishwashers to bring savings of over £125 million on water and energy bills over the next decade

A new once-in-a-generation plan to overhaul the water system and protect households from disruption has been unveiled today.

The Water White Paper sets out clear powers for the new regulator, delivering tougher oversight and stronger accountability for water companies. For the first time in two decades, a Chief Engineer will sit inside the new single water regulator.

Their job is to bring back the hands-on checks of water infrastructure Ofwat has failed to provide, ending the days of water firms marking their own homework, resulting in crumbling pipes and unreliable services.

The new regulator will introduce an ‘MOT’ approach for water company infrastructure, requiring health checks on pipes, pumps and more. This forward-looking approach means no more waiting to act, spotting problems before they happen and preventing water shortages.

These reforms put prevention first, requiring companies and bosses to plan for the long-term. Where companies fall short, the new Performance Improvement Regime will give the regulator the power to act fast and fix failures so that underperforming water companies recover faster, protecting customers and the environment and giving stability to investors.

At the same time, a roll-out of smart metering and mandatory efficiency labels on items like dishwashers and washing machines will help households monitor their water use and cut costs – delivering savings of over £125 million on water and energy bills over the next decade. Building on last year's plastic wet wipes ban, the White Paper prioritises pre-pipe solutions that tackle the root causes of pollution through sustainable drainage, rainwater management, and cracking down on sewer misuse.

Environment Secretary Emma Reynolds said: ““These are once-in-a-generation reforms for our water system - tough oversight, real accountability, and no more excuses. “Water companies will have nowhere to hide, customers will get the service they deserve, and investors will see a system built for the future. “This builds on the tough action we’ve already delivered, from record investment to banning unfair bonuses.

 Preet Kaur Gill MP said: ”The Water White Paper sets out the bold reforms our communities have been calling for. For too long, water companies have been allowed to mark their own homework while infrastructure has crumbled.”