Ofwat is calling on water companies to prove to customers they can deliver on their promises to clean up Britain's rivers and seas. The water sector regulator wants them to use the next 12 months to show that they can deliver better service and improve the environment.
The water sector has just over 12 months before Ofwat's final decision on the water companies' Business Plans for 2025 to 2030 to show it can efficiently deliver better outcomes for customers and the environment.
Today Ofwat has published key facts from companies' business plans, including information on proposed increases in investment and customer bills. Ofwat is currently scrutinising the companies’ plans, including looking at their ambition for customers and the environment and the affordability of plans for customers.
The summary table above shows Ofwat;s analysis the proposed % change in total expenditure set out in the business plans between their final determinations at PR19 and their PR24 proposals, including:
- Northumbrian Water – 73%
- Severn Trent Water – 77%
- United Utilities -100%
- South East Water – 82%
- Wessex Water – 99%
The more detailed summary published by Ofwat shows that enhancement expenditure accounts by far for the greatest proportion of the increase.
The latest Water Company Performance Report showed that after three years of the 2020-25 period, 13 out of the 17 water and wastewater companies had not spent their forecast enhancement allowance.
Ofwat says the key facts will support customers and stakeholders as they question and challenge the companies on their plans for 2025 to 2030. Starting this week, all companies are holding a series of public meetings on their business plans. Companies will present their business plans at these 'Your water, your say' meetings, including how they have reflected feedback from stakeholders to date.
Ofwat is also seeking views from all customers and stakeholders on the plans via its website. Ofwat will draw on the feedback from the public alongside its own analysis as it makes its draft decisions on the business plans in May/June 2024.
Chris Walters, Senior Director, Price Review said:
"The water companies have set out their proposals for the coming price control period, which include record levels of investment. Companies should not wait for our decisions on these proposals. We expect them to be taking action now to deliver. And where they do not deliver, we will ensure that the appropriate regulatory mechanisms are in place to protect customer interests against delayed or late delivery.”
Click here to download Ofwat's full summary analysis
James Sumsion, CEO of predictive water intelligence specialists Kohtari, says the water sector needs to take a giant leap forward, so that it can anticipate and act upon water quality issues - rather than merely react.
Ray Moulds, Sales Director at Flood Control International, takes a look at how automated sliding floodgates are supporting secondary containment at water and sewerage company sites.
With the UK government demanding a 50% reduction in storm overflow spills by 2029, the era of reactive management is over. Speaking in the House of Commons on 21 July 2025, then environment secretary Steve Reed said, “This Government will cut water companies’ sewage pollution in half by the end of the decade.”
ERG, the leading supplier of odour control systems and industrial gas cleaning & thermal systems, has been awarded the coveted King’s Award for Enterprise.
Hear how Scottish Water has completed its £235 million Ayrshire Glasgow Resilience Project - customers across Greater Glasgow, Ayrshire and East Renfrewshire will now benefit from a more secure and resilient water supply.
Hear how United Utilities is accelerating its investment to reduce spills from storm overflows across the Northwest.
Find out more about the remarkable career opportunities on offer at WSP - scroll down to watch the inspirational video.