From scrapping Ofwat to cracking down on sewage – what the water review recommends
British ‘a turning point in the water sector proposed a great revision for the way water companies were organized in the country between many other changes.
The Critical and Comprehensive Report of the Independent Water Commission summarized 88 proposals to the UK and Galli governments to return the patient industry.
Former Bank of England Deputy Governor Sir Jon Jon Cunliffe, led by the investigation, the current system “the economy, including the society, including the society demands and can not present most of the expectation,” he says.
The industry has been criticized for paying large amounts of money to shareholders when standards have fallen since the privatization of water companies.
Campaigns since 1989 – when companies are privatized – dividends and other payments are estimated that £ 85 billion has been removed from the water sector.
The government said that it supports the review and thought of the primary legislation to present most of the proposed changes.
The main measures recommended in the report:
Reduction arrangement for revision for revision
The investigation proposes that the regulators be overhauled and replaced with a corpse for a body and wines for England.
For the UK, this would see that this of ofwat and drinking water inspectors have disappeared and the abolition of environmental arrangement functions for the Environmental Agency and Natural England.
Instead, a “united” and “strong” single integrated water regulator will be established.
In Wales, Ofwat’s economic responsibilities will be integrated into natural resources, he said.
Establishing Regional Planning Authorities
The examination should be established in the UK, eight new regional water system planning authorities and a national authority.
This will include the transfer of existing planning responsibilities and the transfer of regulators to these new authorities to be responsible for the development of resources reflecting local priorities and sounds.
Introducing more powerful consumer protection
The Commission proposes measures such as expanding the role of a voluntary consumer council for water to provide a clearer way to provide more powerful protection to customers and to solve complaints.
In addition, it proposes a national social tariff to provide consistent support to low -income customers who need assistance to pay their invoices and to transfer the responsibility of consumer advocacy to citizens’ advice.
Stronger environmental arrangements
The report proposes a stronger arrangement for abstraction, mud, drinking water standards and water supply.
In addition, it proposes that companies collect wastewater discharge by companies by providing further digitalization, automation, third -party assurance and inspections on waterways.
After the most dry springs in the recording, compulsory water measurement, changes in wholesale tariffs for industrial users, and more water reuse, and rainwater harvesting schemes.
Water Company Ownership and Governance Speaking Surround
For example, the Commission proposes new regulatory powers to prevent changes in the ownership of water company, where investors do not give priority to the long -term interests of the company and customers.
In addition, it proposes new “public interest” substances in Water Company licenses and recommends that the regulator determines the requirements of “minimum capital”, so that companies are less dependent and financially resistant to debt.
Public Health Reforms
The report includes legislative reforms to better manage public health risks in water, and knows many people floating, surfing and enjoying other water -based activities.
These include public health targets in water quality legislation, senior public health representation on regional water planning authorities, and Forever Chemicals, micropolantics and PFAs, also known as PFAs.
Fundamental resetting economic regulation
This suggestion includes a new “audit” approach that supports Water Company supervision and previous interventions.
The report also suggests the price examination process, including changes to enable companies to invest in assets and maintain their assets and to withdraw long -term, low -risk investment.
Providing a clear strategic direction
The Commission said that both the UK and the Galli governments should publish a new long -term national water strategy with minimum 25 -year horizon and temporary milestone stones.
In addition, every five years, regulators, the existing strategic policy declaration replaces a series of ministries, especially for the water industry, he says.
Infrastructure and asset health reforms
The report determines how the water infrastructure is managed, monitored and delivered to better protect the management of water and waste water for future generations.
Companies contain new requirements for their map and evaluation of their assets such as pipes, treatment studies and pumping stations.
In addition, it requires advanced and continuous flexibility standards in the industry.
