Water UK response to Environment Agency pollution incident report

Responding to the Environment Agency's pollution incident report, a Water UK spokesperson said:

 “While there have been some improvements it is clear that the performance of some companies is not good enough. The Environment Agency is right to highlight underinvestment in infrastructure and maintenance as the major causes of these results. Investment in the sector has been suppressed with Ofwat prioritising short -term cuts to people’s water bills over the long-term resilience of the network. This is finally being put right, with a record £104 billion investment over the next 5-years to secure our water supplies, support economic growth and end sewage entering our rivers and seas.

 “However, fundamental change to regulation is also needed. We hope that the recommendations of the Independent Water Commission next week will ensure the sector continues to get the investment it needs to drive down pollution incidents.”