The Independent Water Commission has shared its interim findings today, 3 June, before the final report comes out this summer. The Commission, led by Sir Jon Cunliffe, highlights five key areas where big changes are needed to improve the water sector in England and Wales. These changes aim to make water management better, fairer, and more focused on the needs of people and the environment. This article explains the main points of the interim report and what the Commission plans for the future.
Five Areas Needing Change in the Water Sector
Sir Jon Cunliffe and the Commission have identified five main areas that need urgent reform to reset how water services are planned, managed, and regulated.
1. Strategic Direction and Planning
The government must provide clear, long-term goals for the water system. This includes protecting clean waterways while balancing different demands like farming, energy, transport, and new development. The current planning is complicated and scattered, so the Commission suggests a regional “systems planning” approach. This would mean decisions about water infrastructure and pollution are made closer to the communities affected, improving coordination with local authorities.
2. Legislative Framework
Water laws in England and Wales are currently scattered across about 80 different pieces of legislation. This makes the rules confusing and hard to follow. The Commission recommends reviewing and simplifying these laws, creating a clearer and more flexible legal framework. This might also include new rules to protect public health, especially as more people use water for recreation.
3. Regulatory Reform
The Commission wants stronger and smarter regulation, especially of water companies. Instead of just comparing companies to each other, regulators should closely watch their finances and performance to catch problems early and support good work. Environmental regulation also needs improvement with better technology and steady funding. The Commission is looking at ways to make economic and environmental regulators work better together to reduce costs and confusion.
4. Company Structures, Ownership, Governance, and Management
The Commission is reviewing how private water companies are owned and managed. They want more transparency and stronger responsibilities for company leaders. Importantly, the water sector should attract investors who think long-term and accept stable, low-risk returns. This will help rebuild trust and ensure steady investment in water services.
5. Infrastructure and Asset Health
There is little clear information on the condition of the water industry’s essential assets like pipes and treatment plants. The Commission suggests setting national standards for infrastructure resilience and requiring companies to regularly assess and report the health of their assets. This proactive planning will help prevent failures rather than just fixing problems after they happen.
The Independent Water Commission’s interim report shows that the water sector in England and Wales faces many deep, connected problems. From unclear government plans to complex laws and weak regulation, change is needed everywhere. Sir Jon Cunliffe stresses that no single fix will work; instead, a full reset involving new laws and stronger systems is essential. The Commission’s final report this summer will offer detailed recommendations. These changes aim to rebuild public trust, improve water services, protect the environment, and create a fairer, more reliable system for all.
