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Threads / Strengthening Penalties for Water Company Offences / Timeline
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Strengthening Penalties for Water Company Offences

The Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs is strengthening criminal and civil penalties for water company offences, including executive accountability measures, in response to widespread failures in water quality and environmental compliance. The Water (Special Measures) Act 2025 provides the legislative framework, with consultation on penalty levels and enforcement mechanisms currently active.

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2026

7 events
29 Apr 2026 | Written question Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs linked

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment she has made of the trial plant results indicating inconsistent removal of bacteria and total dissolved solids, a

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment she has made of the trial plant results indicating inconsistent removal of bacteria and total dissolved solids, and what implications this has for water quality and …

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, pursuant to the Answer of to Question 122633, on Water Companies: Repairs and Maintenance, whether her Department will publish th

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, pursuant to the Answer of to Question 122633, on Water Companies: Repairs and Maintenance, whether her Department will publish the initial cost information on ending operator self-moni

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, how many meetings of the Water Delivery Taskforce have been held to discuss South East Water's performance since 13 November 2025

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, how many meetings of the Water Delivery Taskforce have been held to discuss South East Water's performance since 13 November 2025.

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, whether she has made an assessment of the potential impact of low consumer confidence in the quality of tap water on public behav

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, whether she has made an assessment of the potential impact of low consumer confidence in the quality of tap water on public behaviour, including increased bottled water use.

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, pursuant to the Answer of 21 April to Question 127788 on Water Companies: Prosecutions, of the 37 completed prosecutions against

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, pursuant to the Answer of 21 April to Question 127788 on Water Companies: Prosecutions, of the 37 completed prosecutions against Water and Sewerage Companies since 27 March 2020, …

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, whether she has made an assessment of Southern Water’s progress against RAPID requirements at Gates 2 and 3, and what steps she i

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, whether she has made an assessment of Southern Water’s progress against RAPID requirements at Gates 2 and 3, and what steps she is taking in response to repeated …

▤ View document · ↗ GOV.UK

2025

36 events
16 Dec 2025 | Consultation (closed) Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs linked

Review of Water Efficiency Standards in the Building Regulations 2010 — consultation closed

The government is committed to creating environmental headroom for growth. ​​​A failure to implement water demand management measures in response to water scarcity could result in over 61,000 houses not being built costing the economy £25 billion this parliamentary term. …

▤ View document · ↗ GOV.UK
22 Oct 2025 | Announcement Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs linked

Consulting on new penalties for the water sector

UIN: HCWS976 The Government is pleased to announce that today we have launched a consultation on strengthening the Environment Agency’s tools for enforcing against offences committed by water companies.Currently, the Environment Agency has to be satisfied “beyond reas...

▤ View document · ↗ GOV.UK · ↓
22 Oct 2025 | Announcement Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs linked

Water Sector Penalties Consultation

UIN: HLWS978 My honourable friend, the Minister for Water and Flooding, Emma Hardy MP, has made the following Written Statement.The Government is pleased to announce that today we have launched a consultation on strengthening the Environment Agency’s tools for enforci...

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23 Sep 2025 | Consultation (closed) Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs linked

Review of Water Efficiency Standards in the Building Regulations 2010 — consultation opened

The government is committed to creating environmental headroom for growth. ​​​A failure to implement water demand management measures in response to water scarcity could result in over 61,000 houses not being built costing the economy £25 billion this parliamentary term. …

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

Independent Water Commission Call for Evidence

UIN: HCWS475 A secure water supply is essential for every home and business throughout the country. It is the foundation of our economy, our communities and our global security.This Government inherited a water sector in disrepair. The rivers, lakes and …

▤ View document · ↗ GOV.UK · ↓

2024

38 events
19 Dec 2024 | Announcement Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs linked

Price Review 2024 Final Determinations

UIN: HCWS345 Our water system needs fixing. Our rivers, lakes and seas are choked by pollution.Under the Conservatives, our sewage system crumbled. They irresponsibly let water companies divert customers’ money to line the pockets of their bosses and shareholders.The ...

▤ View document · ↗ GOV.UK · ↓
10 Sep 2024 | Announcement Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs linked

Water (Special Measures) Bill

UIN: HLWS81 My honourable friend, the Minister for Water and Flooding, Emma Hardy MP, has made the following Written Statement.On 4 September, the Government introduced the Water (Special Measures) Bill to Parliament to deliver on our manifesto commitment to put …

▤ View document · ↗ GOV.UK · ↓
10 Sep 2024 | Announcement Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs linked

Water (Special Measures) Bill

UIN: HCWS79 On 4 September, the Government introduced the Water (Special Measures) Bill to Parliament to deliver on our manifesto commitment to put water companies under special measures to clean up our water. This builds on the statement of 11 …

▤ View document · ↗ GOV.UK · ↓
19 Jul 2024 | Announcement Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs linked

First steps to reform water sector

UIN: HLWS12 My Right Honourable Friend, The Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Rt Hon Steve Reed OBE MP), has made the following statement.The new Government will never look the other way while water companies pump record …

▤ View document · ↗ GOV.UK · ↓
18 Jul 2024 | Announcement Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs linked

First steps to reform water sector

UIN: HCWS3 The new Government will never look the other way while water companies pump record levels of sewage into our rivers, lakes and seas. That is why we have outlined our immediate measures to begin the work to clean …

▤ View document · ↗ GOV.UK · ↓
20 Feb 2024 | Announcement Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs linked

Water company inspections update

UIN: HCWS268 The government is announcing plans today for a fourfold increase in water company inspections to drive the improved performance that the public rightly expect to see. Going forward, every water company operating wholly or mainly in England should …

▤ View document · ↗ GOV.UK · ↓
20 Feb 2024 | Announcement Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs linked

Water company inspections update

UIN: HLWS263 My Right Honourable friend the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Steve Barclay) has made the following Statement.The government is announcing plans today for a fourfold increase in water company inspections to drive the improved …

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2023

3 events
16 Oct 2023 | Announcement Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs linked

Water Update

UIN: HCWS1063 The Price Review is an independent five-yearly process, run by the economic regulator Ofwat, to determine investment plans for water companies and customer bills over the next five years, in this case from 2025 to 2030 period. This …

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2022

5 events

2021

2 events
1 Jul 2021 | Announcement Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs linked

Reducing demand for water

UIN: HCWS140 In 2019 the Government carried out a consultation on measures to reduce personal water consumption. Today I wish to announce measures that the Government will take following our consultation.ContextThe Government’s 25 Year Environment Plan sets out our am...

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1 Jul 2021 | Announcement Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs linked

Reducing demand for water

UIN: HLWS136 My Right Hon Friend the Secretary of State (George Eustice) has today made the following statementIn 2019 the Government carried out a consultation on measures to reduce personal water consumption. Today I wish to announce measures that the …

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2018

2 events

2017

3 events

2016

4 events

2015

5 events

2014

1 event