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

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what steps she is taking to ensure that water companies support those on the Priority Services Register during emergency incidents.

Under the Security and Emergency Measures Direction 2022 (SEMD), water companies must identify and prioritise vulnerable customers during supply interruptions. They must maintain a Priority Services Register (PSR) to identify those needing extra support in emergencies, including priority access to alternative water supplies. Ofwat provides PSR guidance, and the Drinking Water Inspectorate regulates compliance with SEMD.

During sustained or large-scale water supply incidents, Defra regularly engages with water companies. Support for vulnerable customers, including those on PSR, is routinely discussed, and companies must demonstrate that appropriate arrangements are in place.