Active Announced in the King's Speech on 13 May 2026. 42 of 155 events
Threads / Clean Water Bill / Timeline
Lifecycle stage Implementation
10 days in stage

Clean Water Bill

The King's Speech 2026 bill for long-term water sector reform, stronger oversight, and action to clean up rivers, lakes and seas following the Cunliffe review and earlier water special measures.

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Family: Scrutiny and evidence

2026

15 events
27 Apr 2026 | Written question Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs linked direct

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what funding her Department has made available for the upgrade of ageing water and sewer infrastructure.

Why linked: PQ on funding for water and sewer infrastructure upgrades (April 2026); relevant to water company investment and oversight mechanisms within scope

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what funding her Department has made available for the upgrade of ageing water and sewer infrastructure.

▤ View document · ↗ GOV.UK
13 Apr 2026 | Written question Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs linked direct

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what timeline her Department expects for upgrades to infrastructure to prevent further sewage discharges into the River Wriggle.

Why linked: PQ on sewage discharge infrastructure upgrade timelines - directly relevant to CSO reduction and discharge quality standards

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what timeline her Department expects for upgrades to infrastructure to prevent further sewage discharges into the River Wriggle.

▤ View document · ↗ GOV.UK
26 Mar 2026 | Written question Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs linked direct

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, if she will publish the list of Working Groups cited in A New Vision for Water (2026).

Why linked: PQ asking Defra to publish working groups behind A New Vision (water reform plan) — direct grounding for pre-legislative scrutiny.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, if she will publish the list of Working Groups cited in A New Vision for Water (2026).

▤ View document · ↗ GOV.UK
26 Mar 2026 | Written question Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs linked direct

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what steps she is taking to ensure that Ofwat's successor regulator has sufficient powers to place a failing water company into Special Administration on grounds of environmental non-c

Why linked: Direct PQ on Ofwat's successor regulator powers, directly relevant to regulatory oversight reform in Clean Water Bill scope

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what steps she is taking to ensure that Ofwat's successor regulator has sufficient powers to place a failing water company into Special Administration on grounds of environmental non-c

▤ View document · ↗ GOV.UK
26 Mar 2026 | Written question Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs linked direct

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, whether she plans to maintain bathing water quality standards in line with international benchmarks, including those of the World Health Organisation and the Blue Flag programme.

Why linked: Direct PQ on bathing water quality standards, which is explicitly in scope as part of drinking water quality standards and environmental standards

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, whether she plans to maintain bathing water quality standards in line with international benchmarks, including those of the World Health Organisation and the Blue Flag programme.

▤ View document · ↗ GOV.UK
24 Mar 2026 | Written question Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs linked direct

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what assessment her Department has made of the adequacy of current levels of investment in wastewater infrastructure.

Why linked: PQ on adequacy of wastewater infrastructure investment - directly relevant to water company investment plans and discharge standards

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what assessment her Department has made of the adequacy of current levels of investment in wastewater infrastructure.

▤ View document · ↗ GOV.UK
24 Mar 2026 | Written question Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs linked direct

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what her long-term strategy is for reducing sewage discharges from storm overflows; and what targets, timelines and investment requirements have been set for water companies to deliver

Why linked: PQ on long-term strategy for reducing sewage discharges from storm overflows - core in-scope policy area

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what her long-term strategy is for reducing sewage discharges from storm overflows; and what targets, timelines and investment requirements have been set for water companies to deliver

▤ View document · ↗ GOV.UK
23 Mar 2026 | Written question Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs linked direct

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, if her Department will make an assessment of alternative governance for water utilities, including public ownership and mutual structures.

Why linked: PQ on alternative governance for water utilities assessment (March 2026); water company licensing and ownership models in scope

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, if her Department will make an assessment of alternative governance for water utilities, including public ownership and mutual structures.

▤ View document · ↗ GOV.UK
11 Mar 2026 | Written question Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs linked direct

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, how many incidents of sewage discharges occurred in Sherwood Forest constituency in (a) 2024 and (b) 2025; and which rivers and bodies of water were most affected.

Why linked: PQ on sewage discharge incidents - sewage discharge data relevant to CSO reduction strategies and water quality

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, how many incidents of sewage discharges occurred in Sherwood Forest constituency in (a) 2024 and (b) 2025; and which rivers and bodies of water were most affected.

▤ View document · ↗ GOV.UK
5 Mar 2026 | Written question Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs linked direct

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, when she plans to stop operator self monitoring of the water industry.

Why linked: PQ on ending operator self-monitoring of water industry (March 2026); Environment Agency regulatory oversight and enforcement mechanisms in scope

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, when she plans to stop operator self monitoring of the water industry.

▤ View document · ↗ GOV.UK
5 Mar 2026 | Written question Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs linked direct

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, whether her department plans to establish the public health task force recommended by the Independent Water Commission prior to the introduction of the Water Reform Bill.

Why linked: PQ on whether Defra plans to establish a public health task force in connection with water reform — directly engages Bill scope.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, whether her department plans to establish the public health task force recommended by the Independent Water Commission prior to the introduction of the Water Reform Bill.

▤ View document · ↗ GOV.UK
5 Mar 2026 | Written question Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs linked direct

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, whether citizen science will be embedded in the (a) Water Reform Bill and (b) Transition Plan.

Why linked: PQ asking whether citizen science will be embedded in the Water Reform Bill — direct grounding of Bill scope question.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, whether citizen science will be embedded in the (a) Water Reform Bill and (b) Transition Plan.

▤ View document · ↗ GOV.UK
26 Feb 2026 | Written question Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs linked direct

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, whether her Department is considering regulatory changes to help improve water infrastructure provision in Buckinghamshire.

Why linked: PQ on regulatory changes for water infrastructure provision (Feb 2026); water company licensing and regulatory mechanisms in scope

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, whether her Department is considering regulatory changes to help improve water infrastructure provision in Buckinghamshire.

▤ View document · ↗ GOV.UK

2025

13 events
1 Dec 2025 | Committee report Department of Health and Social Care linked direct

Letter from the Chair to the Permanent Secretary at the Department for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs relating to a follow up to the Committee’s Forty-second Report on Water sector regulation, 01 December 2025

Why linked: Committee chair correspondence to Defra Permanent Secretary on follow-up to a water-sector inquiry, December 2025 — directly related to pre-legislative scrutiny of the Bill.

Direction: to_committee

▤ View document · ↗ GOV.UK
23 Oct 2025 | Committee report Department of Health and Social Care linked direct

Letter from the Chief Executive of the Environment Agency relating to the Committee’s Forty-Second Report of Session 2024–26 on Water sector regulation – Water company environmental performance, 21 October 2025

Why linked: Environment Agency CEO letter on water sector regulation and water company environmental performance - directly relevant to regulatory mechanisms

Direction: to_committee

▤ View document · ↗ GOV.UK
30 Apr 2025 | Written question Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs linked direct

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, with reference to the press notice by Ofwat entitled Ofwat approves £104bn upgrade to accelerate delivery of cleaner rivers and seas and secure long-term drinking water supplies for cu

Why linked: PQ on Ofwat's approval of company business plans — directly engages PR24 envelope and regulator architecture.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, with reference to the press notice by Ofwat entitled Ofwat approves £104bn upgrade to accelerate delivery of cleaner rivers and seas and secure long-term drinking water supplies for …

▤ View document · ↗ GOV.UK
29 Apr 2025 | Written question Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs linked direct

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, if he will bring forward legislative proposals to prevent overseas private equity investment in Thames Water.

Why linked: PQ on legislative proposals for water company ownership regulation (April 2025); water company licensing and governance mechanisms in scope

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, if he will bring forward legislative proposals to prevent overseas private equity investment in Thames Water.

▤ View document · ↗ GOV.UK
29 Apr 2025 | Written question Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs linked direct

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what plans he has to improve enforcement powers against water companies that repeatedly discharge untreated sewage.

Why linked: PQ on enforcement powers against water companies — direct Bill-scope question.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what plans he has to improve enforcement powers against water companies that repeatedly discharge untreated sewage.

▤ View document · ↗ GOV.UK
29 Apr 2025 | Written question Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs linked direct

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, if he will bring forward legislative proposals to criminalise the failure to prevent dumping of sewage into public waterways by water companies.

Why linked: PQ on legislative proposals to criminalise specified failures by water companies — direct Bill-scope question.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, if he will bring forward legislative proposals to criminalise the failure to prevent dumping of sewage into public waterways by water companies.

▤ View document · ↗ GOV.UK
29 Apr 2025 | Written question Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs linked direct

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, if he will bring forward legislative proposals to improve (a) public access, (b) environmental protections and (c) biodiversity enhancement for (i) rivers, (ii) lakes and (iii) other i

Why linked: PQ on legislative proposals to improve public oversight — direct Bill-scope question.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, if he will bring forward legislative proposals to improve (a) public access, (b) environmental protections and (c) biodiversity enhancement for (i) rivers, (ii) lakes and (iii) other i

▤ View document · ↗ GOV.UK
28 Mar 2025 | Written question Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs linked direct

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what steps his Department is taking to reduce sewage discharges into the river Severn.

Why linked: PQ on reducing sewage discharges into River Severn - specific application of sewage discharge reduction policy

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what steps his Department is taking to reduce sewage discharges into the river Severn.

▤ View document · ↗ GOV.UK
27 Mar 2025 | Written question Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs linked direct

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, if he will make an assessment of the potential merits of reinvesting fines collected from water companies in reducing water bills.

Why linked: PQ on reinvesting water company fines in environmental improvement (March 2025); water company enforcement and compliance mechanisms in scope

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, if he will make an assessment of the potential merits of reinvesting fines collected from water companies in reducing water bills.

▤ View document · ↗ GOV.UK
27 Mar 2025 | Written question Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs linked direct

To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the potential merits of using special administration measures to address governance and environmental compliance issues in the water sector.

Why linked: Lords PQ on the potential merits of using special administration measures — directly engages the SAR architecture the Bill inherits.

To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the potential merits of using special administration measures to address governance and environmental compliance issues in the water sector.

▤ View document · ↗ GOV.UK
11 Mar 2025 | Written question Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs linked direct

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, pursuant to the Answer of 13 February to Question 31562 on Sewage: Waste Disposal, what his planned timeline is for the conclusion of the commission to recommend reforms to reset the w

Why linked: PQ on sewage waste disposal timeline - relevant to CSO reduction strategies

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, pursuant to the Answer of 13 February to Question 31562 on Sewage: Waste Disposal, what his planned timeline is for the conclusion of the commission to recommend reforms …

▤ View document · ↗ GOV.UK
27 Feb 2025 | Written question Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs linked direct

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what steps his Department can take to ensure (a) existing drainage infrastructure is maintained and cleaned to appropriate levels to deal with high water volumes and (b) that future dr

Why linked: PQ on drainage infrastructure maintenance - relevant to water quality and discharge management

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what steps his Department can take to ensure (a) existing drainage infrastructure is maintained and cleaned to appropriate levels to deal with high water volumes and (b) that …

▤ View document · ↗ GOV.UK

2024

8 events
9 May 2024 | Written question Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs linked direct

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment he has made of the impact of sewage discharges into waterways on the health of those using the waterways for water sports between 2019 and 2024.

Why linked: PQ on impact of sewage discharges on water health - relevant to environmental quality and statutory duties

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment he has made of the impact of sewage discharges into waterways on the health of those using the waterways for water sports between 2019 and 2024.

▤ View document · ↗ GOV.UK
23 Apr 2024 | Written question Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs linked direct

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what steps he plans to take to help ensure that Thames Water continues to (a) operate, (b) provide services and (c) keep bills low for customers.

Why linked: PQ on Thames Water operational continuity and service provision (April 2024); water company financial resilience and oversight in scope

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what steps he plans to take to help ensure that Thames Water continues to (a) operate, (b) provide services and (c) keep bills low for customers.

▤ View document · ↗ GOV.UK
2 Apr 2024 | Written question Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs linked direct

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what steps he is taking to improve the quality of water in the River Mersey.

Why linked: PQ on improving water quality in River Mersey - specific application of water quality improvement objectives

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what steps he is taking to improve the quality of water in the River Mersey.

▤ View document · ↗ GOV.UK
25 Mar 2024 | Written question Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs linked direct

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, if he will make an assessment of the potential merits of establishing an independent reporting mechanism for assessing sewage pollution by water companies.

Why linked: PQ on independent reporting mechanism for water sector (March 2024); regulatory oversight and reporting mechanisms in scope

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, if he will make an assessment of the potential merits of establishing an independent reporting mechanism for assessing sewage pollution by water companies.

▤ View document · ↗ GOV.UK
11 Mar 2024 | Written question Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs linked direct

To ask His Majesty's Government what plans they have to direct the Environment Agency to revise all permits issued in respect of water company sewage discharges under the Environmental Permitting (England and Wales) Regulations 2016, so that those permits

Why linked: Parliamentary written question on Environment Agency permits for water company sewage discharges – directly relevant to CSO reduction and water company enforcement in scope

To ask His Majesty's Government what plans they have to direct the Environment Agency to revise all permits issued in respect of water company sewage discharges under the Environmental Permitting (England and Wales) Regulations 2016, so that those permits

▤ View document · ↗ GOV.UK
8 Mar 2024 | Written question Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs linked direct

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, if he will (a) take steps to set targets for water companies to end sewage releases and (b) ensure that water companies invest in infrastructure.

Why linked: PQ on setting targets for water companies to end sewage discharges — core policy commitment under the Bill.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, if he will (a) take steps to set targets for water companies to end sewage releases and (b) ensure that water companies invest in infrastructure.

▤ View document · ↗ GOV.UK
26 Feb 2024 | Written question Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs linked direct

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, if he will publish the (a) attendance at and (b) minutes of his meeting with water company executives on 23 January 2024.

Why linked: PQ on DEFRA meetings with water executives (2024); water company oversight and regulatory engagement in scope

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, if he will publish the (a) attendance at and (b) minutes of his meeting with water company executives on 23 January 2024.

▤ View document · ↗ GOV.UK
22 Feb 2024 | Written question Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs linked direct

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what steps he is taking to help improve water quality in (a) Enfield North Constituency, (b) the London Borough of Enfield, and (c) London.

Why linked: PQ on improving water quality in specific areas - relevant to environmental standards and quality objectives

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what steps he is taking to help improve water quality in (a) Enfield North Constituency, (b) the London Borough of Enfield, and (c) London.

▤ View document · ↗ GOV.UK

2022

3 events
14 Dec 2022 | Written question Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs linked direct

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, if she will bring forward proposals to increase the Environment Agency's minimum civil fine for each breach of the rules by water companies to £250 million.

Why linked: PQ on increasing Environment Agency civil fines for breaches - relevant to regulatory enforcement mechanisms

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, if she will bring forward proposals to increase the Environment Agency's minimum civil fine for each breach of the rules by water companies to £250 million.

▤ View document · ↗ GOV.UK
2 Dec 2022 | Written question Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs linked direct

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, if he will make it his policy to introduce additional penalties for water companies that miss pollution incident reduction targets consistently over 5 years.

Why linked: PQ on penalties for water companies missing pollution incident targets - relevant to regulatory enforcement and company conditions

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, if he will make it his policy to introduce additional penalties for water companies that miss pollution incident reduction targets consistently over 5 years.

▤ View document · ↗ GOV.UK
3 Oct 2022 | Written question Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs linked direct

To ask Her Majesty's Government what discussions they have had with (1) Ofwat, and (2) the Environment Agency, in 2022 about (a) leakages of potable water, (b) sewage discharge into rivers and seas, (c) shareholder dividends, (d) executive bonuses, and (e

Why linked: PQ on government discussions with Ofwat and EA on leakage and sewage discharge (2022); water company oversight and environmental compliance in scope

To ask Her Majesty's Government what discussions they have had with (1) Ofwat, and (2) the Environment Agency, in 2022 about (a) leakages of potable water, (b) sewage discharge into rivers and seas, (c) shareholder dividends, (d) executive bonuses, and …

▤ View document · ↗ GOV.UK

2021

3 events
15 Jun 2021 | Written question Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs linked direct

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what steps he is taking to help ensure that private water companies are held accountable for illegal dumping of untreated sewage into rivers across the UK.

Why linked: PQ on private water company accountability for illegal dumping (2021); water company enforcement and environmental compliance in scope

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what steps he is taking to help ensure that private water companies are held accountable for illegal dumping of untreated sewage into rivers across the UK.

▤ View document · ↗ GOV.UK
21 May 2021 | Written question Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs linked direct

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what steps his Department is taking to reduce the amount of raw sewage being discharged into the UK's waterways.

Why linked: PQ on reducing raw sewage discharge (2021); sewage discharge and CSO reduction explicitly in scope

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what steps his Department is taking to reduce the amount of raw sewage being discharged into the UK's waterways.

▤ View document · ↗ GOV.UK
26 Apr 2021 | Written question Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs linked direct

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what recent discussions he has had with water companies on the discharging of raw sewage into English rivers.

Why linked: PQ on water company sewage discharge discussions - relevant to regulatory oversight and company accountability

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what recent discussions he has had with water companies on the discharging of raw sewage into English rivers.

▤ View document · ↗ GOV.UK