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The Latest Breaking News on Droughts

Ofwat to be abolished as government takes forward five recommendations to address water’s ‘Great Stink moment’ – as it happened

England and Wales’s water industry requires ‘fundamental reform’ to address the problems that have dogged the sector, Independent Water Commission says

The Guardian - UK

Water industry faces ‘root and branch reform’ after landmark review

Environment Secretary Steve Reed is widely reported to be preparing to abolish regulator Ofwat.

Evening Standard

Water industry review unlikely to spark required change, claims Feargal Sharkey

The campaigner accused water companies of treating customers with ‘contempt’.

Evening Standard

From analysis to the latest developments in health,
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Water ombudsman to be created amid sweeping changes in England and Wales

Environment secretary to make announcement on Monday as part of review that is expected to abolish Ofwat

The Guardian - UK

Southern Water boss should refuse ‘outrageous’ pay rise – Environment Secretary

Lawrence Gosden was awarded £691,000 as part of a long-term incentive plan this year on top of his £687,000 fixed pay, the firm’s annual report said.

Evening Standard

Environment secretary ‘furious’ about England and Wales water bills

Steve Reed says he is unable to rule out further above-inflation rises and any decision would be up to regulators

The Guardian - UK

Government prepares for release of landmark review into ailing water sector

The Independent Water Commission will outline its final recommendations to tackle systemic issues in the industry.

Evening Standard

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Ofwat to be abolished as ministers look to create new water regulator

Move follows intense criticism of utilities over sewage spills, shareholder payouts and ballooning debts

The Guardian - UK

High water bills, filthy rivers – and now drought. This is England’s great artificial water crisis of 2025

In its refusal to nationalise water, it’s clear the government operates in the interests of private capital and not of the country, says Guardian columnist George Monbiot

The Guardian - UK

Thames Water warns nationalisation is likely if emergency creditor talks fall

Company slumps to a £1.6bn annual loss as it blames rainfall for rise in pollution incidents

The Guardian - UK

FTSE 100 share index hits 9,000 points for the first time; US inflation rate rises to 2.7% – as it happened

London stock market hits new peak, Thames Water reports £1.6bn loss, and Rachel Reeves outlines ‘Leeds reforms’ for financial services

The Guardian - UK

English water firm doubles CEO’s pay despite ‘elevated concern’ over finances

Boss of Affinity Water, which serves 3.9 million customers in London and south-east, receives £1.6m

The Guardian - UK

Thames Water announces hosepipe ban as dry weather depletes reservoirs

Restrictions to come into effect in Gloucestershire, Oxfordshire, Berkshire and Wiltshire from 22 July

The Guardian - UK

Where will there be a hosepipe ban in the South East?

Two water companies have announced hosepipe bans during England’s drought conditions

Evening Standard

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The Guardian - UK

Scottish households urged to cut water use as climate crisis limits supplies

Scottish Water boss says average Scot uses 40% more water than people in Yorkshire partly due to mistaken belief water is abundant in Scotland

The Guardian - UK

Thames Water refuses to claw back bonuses paid using £3bn emergency loan

Money was paid out from loan meant to stabilise firm’s finances weeks before it paused retention payments plan

Evening Standard

Will there be a hosepipe ban in London? South East Water ban comes into force in Kent and Sussex

As hosepipe bans comes into force in some areas, does this include London?

The Guardian - UK

Yorkshire Water announces hosepipe ban after driest spring in 132 years

Restrictions to be brought in from Friday after region receives just 15cm of rainfall between February and June

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The Guardian - UK

Bring water firms in England and Wales into public ownership, commission urges

Exclusive: experts’ report says public ownership would mean cheaper bills, less pollution and more investment

The Guardian - UK

Thames Water court case shows there are alternatives to massive infrastructure

It is what we might call the HS2 fallacy: new reservoirs as tall as high-rise buildings that boost water companies’ assets

The Guardian - UK

The UK is getting drier. Could reusing greywater help?

Experts say the average Briton uses too much water per day and societal change needs to start today to tackle looming water crisis

The Guardian - UK

Thames Water lenders demand government effectively block campaigners from legal action

Creditors owed £13bn say ministers should prioritise ‘environmental betterment over punitive enforcement’

The Guardian - UK

How England’s outdated water tracking system leaves regulators in the dark

Experts warn accurately monitoring consumption by bulk users such as farmers, datacentres and businesses can be all but impossible

The Guardian - UK

England’s rivers ‘under threat’ as water extraction surges to record levels

Exclusive: Investigation finds 76% rise in water taken from rivers and lakes for industrial or public consumption in two decades

The Independent UK

Independent water commission chair denies probe into reforms is ‘tinkering’

The largest review of the water sector since privatisation has come under criticism for not going far enough to ensure systemic change.

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