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

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what recent steps he has taken to help ensure London has a safe and sustainable water supply; and what steps he is taking to help minimise the environmental impact of London's water supply.

Defra works closely with water companies, including Thames Water, to ensure that they meet their regulatory requirements in relation to security and resilience as set out on the Security and Emergency Measures Direction (SEMD) 2022 – including preparedness for short-term risks.

Defra published its Plan for Water which set out the importance of ensuring a clean and plentiful water supply. It estimated 4,000 million litres per day of extra capacity is needed in England by 2050 to sustainably meet the pressures on public supply from climate change, population growth and the needs of a healthy environment. The Plan sets out our commitment to a twin track approach to improving water supply resilience, with action to reduce water company leaks alongside investing in new supply infrastructure.

Last year, regional water resources groups and water companies, including Thames Water, consulted on their draft water resources plans. These statutory plans set out how each company will secure water supplies sustainably for at least the next 25 years. Within their plans, water companies consider all options, including water demand management and new water resources infrastructure. The plans are scrutinised by water regulators and the Environment Agency is advising the Secretary of State’s decisions on the next steps for the plans.

Drinking water quality in England is of an exceptionally high standard and among the best in the world. Water companies have a statutory duty to carry out regular risk assessments and sampling for any substance that may pose a risk to human health to make sure that drinking water supplies remain safe to drink. The Drinking Water Inspectorate monitor water companies’ compliance with our drinking water regulations and, where necessary, take enforcement action.