Water Companies: Standards

(asked on 7th February 2022) - View Source

Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what steps Ofwat will take to incentivise water companies to meet the aims of strategic drainage and wastewater management planning in a way that represents best value for money over the long-term for customers, the environment and wider society.


Answered by
Rebecca Pow Portrait
Rebecca Pow
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)
This question was answered on 16th February 2022

Ofwat, the independent economic regulator, is legally required to act in accordance with the strategic policy statement (SPS). A draft SPS was laid in parliament 2nd February and is due to come into force following a period of 40 sitting days.

Government expects Ofwat to explain how it intends to achieve against the priorities set out in the SPS when making key decisions. For example, in its forthcoming price control review methodology.

Protecting and enhancing our nation's water environment is a priority for this government. It is government's expectation that Ofwat and the water industry will prioritise appropriate action to enhance water quality and deliver a resilient and sustainable water supply. In particular, the Government wants to see water and sewerage companies making progressive reductions in the adverse impacts of discharges from storm overflows.

DWMPs will become statutory through the Environment Act 2021 when the first cycle ends and will help sewerage companies to fully assess wastewater network capacity and develop collaborative solutions.

In delivering against the priorities set out in the Strategic Policy Statement, water companies should significantly increase their use of nature and catchment-based solutions. We expect companies and regulators to work towards delivering these solutions as a matter of preference.

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