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

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment she has made of the potential impact of water company ownership models on the (a) monitoring of and (b) response to trifluoroacetic acid in water supplies in North East Hertfordshire constituency.

The Drinking Water Inspectorate (DWI) is carrying out a research project on concentrations of trifluoroacetic acid (TFA) in water supplies in England and Wales and will seek advice from UKHSA where a risk of occurrence to water supplies is identified to understand potential risk to health, including reproductive health and fertility.

In February 2026, the Government unveiled a plan to better protect the nation and environment from PFAS, including TFA. The Environment Agency is working with water companies to reduce TFA and protect drinking water quality. The Government's priority is ensuring that all companies, regardless of ownership model, deliver better environmental performance and service for customers.