
Campaigners and industry respond to ‘once-in-a-generation' water reform report
The much-anticipated final report from the Independent Water Commission, led by former Bank of England deputy governor Sir Jon Cunliffe, outlined 88 recommendations to the UK and Welsh governments to turn around the ailing industry.
Mr Keil said: 'The commission has set out significant changes to the regulatory system.
'But water companies have always had the freedom to do what's right by their customers – and many have made bad choices.'
Mr Keil said affordability must be a key focus of reform, with households already struggling following this year's sharp rise in water bills.
'More people are turning to CCW to complain about not being able to afford their bill,' he said.
'Over two in five households have told us they've cut spending on essentials like food to make ends meet.
'The case for a single social tariff for water has never been more urgent.'
He welcomed recommendations to make the existing voluntary ombudsman scheme mandatory, saying: 'We're delighted the commission has recommended building on our work at a time when we're seeing more people turn to us for help.'
But River Action chief executive James Wallace accused the commission of falling short, saying it had 'blinked' when faced with a chance to break with the past.
'This was a once-in-a-generation opportunity to reset a broken and corrupted system,' he said.
'Instead, we've been handed vague policy nudges that leave the current failed privatised water company model intact.'
Mr Wallace said nothing less than 'a credible plan to rescue Britain's rivers, lakes and seas' was needed, including a clear path to bring 'failing companies like Thames Water into public control'.
He called on the Government to put Thames Water into special administration as a 'powerful statement of intent', warning: 'Our water is our life-blood and not for sale.'
Water UK, the trade body for the water companies, welcomed the commission's findings, calling reform 'long overdue'.
A spokesperson said: 'Everyone agrees the system has not been working.
'These recommendations should establish the foundations to secure our water supplies, support economic growth and end sewage entering our rivers and seas.'
Richard Benwell, a member of the Independent Water Commission's expert advisory group and chief executive of Wildlife and Countryside Link, said a 'culture of rule-breaking and non-compliance' was harming rivers and wetlands, and called for a more powerful and independent environmental regulator.
He welcomed the proposal for new regional water authorities but warned reforms would fall short without proper funding and a clear steer from Government.
'Reforming regulators without fixing resourcing and remit would be painting over cracks,' he said.
Ali Morse, water policy manager at The Wildlife Trusts, said the report offered 'strong recommendations' for more integrated, regionally driven planning, but warned time was running out to act.
'The commission has set the framework – now the Government must act with purpose,' she said.
Gary Carter, national officer at the GMB union, said the report confirmed what the union had argued for years – that water privatisation had been a 'disastrous failure'.
He accused company bosses of profiting while the water infrastructure 'crumbles through lack of investment' and sewage pollutes rivers.
'It's a disgrace – and one Ofwat has overseen,' he said.
'Now is the time to fundamentally reform the water sector and renationalise this vital resource.'
Hashtags

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


North Wales Live
3 hours ago
- North Wales Live
Protestors demonstrate against 'shocking' solar farm proposals which could 'rip out' countryside
More than 100 protestors demonstrated against proposed, vast solar energy farms on Anglesey today. They are concerned about two plans - the Alaw Môn projects - which would reportedly produce 160MW of energy - and Maen Hir - which could produce over 350MW. The proposals by Enso Energy and Lightsource BP on Anglesey, could cover up to 3,700 acres of mostly farmland on about two per cent of the island. It is understood that Lightsource BP, who are responsible for the Maen Hir scheme, say they are still consulting with local communities, and that they appreciate the feedback they have received so far. North Wales Live has asked Enso Energy - the developers of the Alaw Môn scheme - for a statement. Today one resident Sarah Pye, a mother-of-two from Rhos-Goch in the north of the island, addressed the demonstrators in Llangefni in Welsh and English. She told them: "We live in the area of the Lightsource BP solar development known as Maen Hir. "Not only will our view be turned from green to black but they want to rip out our land and put a cable through it. My partner and I have spent the last four years rewilding our land and planting over 4,000 trees to create a mini-forest in Rhos-Goch. "Additionally, we have put all of our life savings into creating a tourism business to make our dream of living in a smallholding a reality. (But) out of the blue we received letters from Lightsource BP wanting to survey our land. "They decided that they may want to use our land for a solar development. You can imagine what a shock that was to us. We had no idea that four years ago this was a development plan not just for Rhos-Goch but for Anglesey too." Ms Pye also warned that if proposals are approved tourists could stay away, "Would you go on holiday to an island covered in black solar panels?" she asked. Ms Pye said she learned through Plaid Cymru members and others that in fact two solar farms were proposed which was a "shock". But she met some amazing people and formed the "No More Solar Farms Ynys Mon Group". Also today Plaid Cymru leader Rhun ap Iorwerth said he is worried about the plans to "exploit" Anglesey. "We are very concerned here on Anglesey about the exploitation that is being planned by companies that are going to make a profit of millions of pounds from stealing our fertile agricultural land," said Mr Iorwerth, who is also MS for Ynys Mon. "There are other more innovative ways of producing solar energy - on our terms here in Anglesey. There is a recent example of using a solar cover in the county council car park, for example." Others to address the protestors today included Plaid Cymru MP for Ynys Mon Llinos Medi and Gareth Winston Roberts, who lives near the proposed site of the Maen Hir scheme. He said he wasn't against solar energy but added: "We are losing our young people from Anglesey, and so we want to secure work in Anglesey - we are talking about Dryweryn here on the Anglesey of Mother Wales." Get the best island stories from our Anglesey newsletter - sent every Friday On the Alaw Mon proposal, Enso Energy claim on their website the park would power 33,935 homes and create 160MW of solar generation, providing renewable electricity for distribution to the National Grid. An underground cable would connect the solar farm and battery energy storage facility to the substation at Wylfa Power Station. Enso Energy has said: "We will use existing farm access points at Nantanog, Chwaen Gach, Chwaen Bach and Tan Rallt to access the site during construction, which we anticipate will take 12 months, and operation." According to Enso Energy, the 160MW plan would produce enough electricity to meet the needs of all the homes on the island. Lightsource BP's intention is to erect the solar panels across three sites, which would produce enough green energy to support over 130,000 homes. The Maen Hir development would reportedly be almost five times larger than the largest active solar farm in the UK.

South Wales Argus
10 hours ago
- South Wales Argus
£5m investment secured for Monmouthshire and Brecon Canal
The Monmouthshire and Brecon Canal which runs from Brecon to Cwmbran has sparked tonnes of debate. Concerns the canal was going to 'dry up' after a period of extreme hot weather experienced this year and new charges surrounding water licensing regulations led to campaigners 'upping the ante.' Campaigners took their message of 'Save The Mon and Brec' to the Senedd where a debate was held on July 9. Now, the Welsh Government have pledged to help preserve the canal. Protesters outside the Senedd campaigning to save the Monmouthshire and Brecon Canal (Image: NQ) £5 million is being invested to upgrade a pumping station in Brecon to help support the current water supply arrangement and possibly extend it. A formal statement made on July 17 by Huw Irranca-Davies, Deputy First Minister and Cabinet Secretary for Climate Change and Rural Affairs reads: 'I intend to prioritise capital funding of up to £5m within my budget to upgrade the pumping station, which is supporting the current temporary agreement. 'I have asked my officials to engage immediately with Dŵr Cymru to progress the necessary works this year. I hope this will provide the basis for the arrangement to be put on a longer-term footing. This is a significant indication of Welsh Government commitment to the future of the canal.' Protesters outside the Senedd campaigning to save the Monmouthshire and Brecon Canal (Image: NQ) Campaigners are overwhelmed by the news and reaction has been strong. Activist group Preserve and Protect issued the following statement: 'The Welsh Government announced that "it intends to prioritise capital funding of up to £5m within its budget to upgrade the pumping station, which is supporting the current temporary agreement. 'This is great news for the Mon & Brec canal and is as a direct result of everyone's campaigning, the petition, and the Senedd rally.' Inland Waterways Wales said: 'IWA hugely welcomes Huw Irranca-Davies's statement yesterday on the future of the Mon & Brec. Our campaign along with Preserve & Protect The Mon & Brec Canal & others has seen results. 'This emergency Welsh Gov funding is a first piece of the puzzle. The Task & Finish Group must act faster now for a fair, lasting solution. 'The Mon & Brec is vital to communities, boaters, businesses & wildlife. It deserves a future as rich as its past.' Protesters outside the Senedd campaigning to save the Monmouthshire and Brecon Canal (Image: NQ) The Canal and Rivers Trust argued that more long-term solution surrounding water licensing should be introduced. It said: 'The Canal & River Trust notes that the upgrade of this asset will not address the cost and operational issues for the Trust itself that are the consequence of the new licence conditions. These issues must be addressed to secure the future of the canal. 'The Deputy First Minister has, however, also acknowledged that the group working on longer-term solutions must 'identify how any capital works and ongoing costs of the water supplied will be met', noting that this will require a collective endeavour. 'The Trust welcomes this commitment. The Trust will continue to champion the beautiful 'Mon & Brec' and everything it offers, and urges all those involved to work together to secure its long-term future.' Since 2017, the Monmouthshire and Brecon Canal has been required to hold a water abstraction licence to draw water from the River Usk — a resource it had used freely for over two centuries. Now, under new licensing rules, the Canal and River Trust Wales must liaise with Natural Resources Wales to extract water. The charity is struggling with water charges reportedly reaching tens of thousands of pounds per week. In April, an emergency water supply agreement was reached between the Canal and River Trust and Welsh Water, but it was made clear that this solution is only temporary. The future of the canal remains uncertain.


Cambrian News
14 hours ago
- Cambrian News
Expert group to look at how AI can improve public services in Wales
'The First Minister announced £2.5m for Welsh public services to ensure we are making the best use of AI; as well as the creation of a dedicated Office for AI within the Welsh Government.