Ofwat consulting on huge investment plans to improve infrastructure

The leading water regulator organisation is currently planning to invest £1.6bn in water projects to help improve infrastructure. 

Ofwat, the water services regulation authority, want to approve 31 schemes in England that will help clean up rivers, tackle pollution and drought issues which will begin in 2023 or 2024.

Seven water companies have proposed 10 schemes as a collective of £1.1bn to improve storm overflows and reduce the frequency of sewage spills by around 10,000 a year.

However, the majority of the investment – coming from United Utilities, a company that provides water and wastewater services in the North West of England, equals to £800m which aims to reduce 8,400 spills annually, including those into Lake Windermere.

Around £400m has been earmarked for improving the water supply’s resilience to drought, such as installing smart meters to reduce demand and Severn Trent increasing the capacity of the Draycote Reservoir in Warwickshire.

Anglian Water, South West Water and United Utilities have also proposed schemes to reduce nutrient pollution with £160m, though these are dependent on the Levelling Up and Regeneration Bill receiving Royal Assent.

UK Water Minister, Rebecca Pow, said: ‘These new schemes will help accelerate the delivery of the urgent improvements we need to protect our environment.

‘It includes £1.1bn of new investment to stop sewage discharges at sites across the country and will deliver a reduction of 10,000 discharges per year in places like Lake Windermere, the River Wharfe, Falmouth and Sidmouth.

‘The investment set out here will also provide an important boost for regional jobs, businesses and local communities.

‘It builds on the key commitments in our five-year strategy – our Environmental Improvement Plan – as well as our upcoming Plan for Water to tackle pollution, reduce water consumption and protect our waters.’

Image: Chad Madden