Today, we've published our draft decisions on water companies' plans for 2025-2030.
We're proposing an £88bn spending package to reduce pollution, improve customer service, enhance water quality, and deliver greater resilience to climate change.
Read more:
It’s
#BankHoliday
weekend, but staff in water companies will be working to keep our water & wastewater services running. More than ever, we’re dependent on water to keep us safe at this time. We’re grateful for their hard work and commitment to serving their customers. Thank you
Today, we're proposing substantial fines totalling £168 million, in an initial outcome from our investigation into Thames Water, Yorkshire Water and Northumbrian Water on the management of their sewage treatment works. 1/
It’s
@Waterwise
’s
#WaterSavingWeek
and all this week we’ll be sharing water saving facts and tips. Today is
#MeatFreeMonday
! Did you know…the majority of water used worldwide is in the production and consumption of goods and services, especially food?
#Factoftheday
We are deeply saddened at the tragic loss of four lives today in Avonmouth. Our thoughts are with the people and families affected, everyone at
@wessexwater
carrying out vital work each and every day, as well as the emergency services working on this incident.
Our thoughts are with the families, friends and colleagues of those involved following the tragic incident at Wessex Water’s Bristol water recycling centre in Avonmouth today (3 December 2020).
We have launched an enforcement investigation into
@SouthWestWater
, relating to the accuracy of information reported by the company for its performance on leakage and per capita consumption.
It’s Joseph Bazalgette’s 200th Birthday today – he created London’s sewer network in response to the Great Stink of 1858. Some tips for keeping our sewers clean: don’t flush wet wipes, sanitary products or plastic, amongst other things. Loo roll and human waste are the way to go!
The environment, and the water environment in particular, is fundamental to the water sector. For
#PR19
our ambition for the environment is higher than ever. Read more at
#moreofwhatmatters
Last week we praised the great work of water company workers, helping to keep our taps flowing. But water companies are doing so much more for their customers & communities. We want to share some of the things we’ve seen & will continue to do so over the coming weeks
Today, water companies have announced average water bills across England and Wales will rise by 1.7%, or about £7 in 2022.
We are calling on water companies to provide support for customers struggling to pay as top priority.
Find out more:
Following our investigation, Southern Water has agreed to pay £126m in penalties and payments to customers following serious failures in the operation of its sewage treatment sites and for deliberately misreporting its performance.
.
@Feargal_Sharkey
: "If I wanted a legacy for my children's children, it's that they could walk to the outskirts of London and see a thriving chalkstream that we respect - and that we've honoured that legacy that our young people are clearly demanding of us.
#OfwatBigQuestions
Our first Spark! episode is now live! Finding the Spark: Why innovate? explores the meaning of
#innovation
and its benefits, featuring interviews with innovation experts, members of the public and more
#SparkInnovation
#FindingTheSpark
We know your interest in water goes beyond what you drink, and water company business plans should also set out how they will protect and improve the environment
#moreofwhatmatters
Today, we alongside
@DefraGovUK
@EnvAgency
, the Drinking Water Inspectorate and
@CCWvoice
have given the go ahead to deliver £2.7 billion of lasting environmental improvements for current and future generations
Following last week’s post, highlighting some of the customer and community focused work we’ve seen from water companies, it’s time to share some more…
Did you know just one day a week without meat can make a big difference to our own water footprint. What’s your favourite veggie or vegan recipe?
#Watersavingweek
@Waterwise
#MeatFreeMonday
This morning, we shared more detail around the impacts of our draft decisions on water companies' plans for 2025-2030.
We're now inviting customers, stakeholders and water companies to share their feedback by 12 noon on 28 August 2024.
To participate visit
📢Our water system is facing challenges related to storm overflows, river and bathing water quality and drought resilience, which is why we have agreed that water companies can start the delivery of 31 projects worth £1.6bn sooner.
We have launched an enforcement investigation into
@DwrCymru
, relating to the accuracy of information reported by the company for its performance on leakage and per capita consumption.
We're asking for your views on our plans to introduce a change in water companies licences, to encourage them to deliver high standards of customer service and meet their customers' diverse needs. Tell us what you think by 7 July. Read our customer summary
We're proposing a new licence condition for water companies on how they treat their customers, including customers in vulnerable circumstances. Read more about what we're planning and what customers told us in our blog
Ever struggled to refill your water bottle when you're out and about?
By 2021 that could change! A new scheme aims to have every major town in England offering free refill points in the next 3 years.
Together with
@EnvAgency
we are investigating whether water companies are breaking the law by allowing sewage to flow into rivers illegally. Read more:
@DefraGovUK
“Our vision for the water sector is one with nature’s recovery at its’ heart.” Dr
@RoseONei11
, Principal Specialist at
@NaturalEngland
@NEChiefSci
shares her thoughts on the challenges facing the water sector
Millions of single-use plastic bottles pollute our streets, environment and oceans. Join us and
@Refill
tomorrow for
#NationalRefillDay
and show you’ve
#GotTheBottle
to prevent plastic pollution by carrying your reusable bottle and refill on the go 💧
We have been investigating
@DwrCymru
and found it misled customers on its performance on leakage and per capita consumption. As a result, it will have to pay £40 million to benefit its customers. Read more on our website
We all know water is important but as customers we aren’t always aware of the work water companies do. Watch this animation to find out more about the innovations behind the scenes…
We have written to all water companies in England and Wales calling on them to meet the growing expectations about the use of storm overflows, signalling that further action is needed:
Water companies need to push the frontier of technology and innovation to better manage their water supplies. They need to plan for the long-term so they can deliver reliable services to you, whatever the weather.
To commemorate
#WorldWaterDay
on 22nd March, we’re giving away free water bottles every Wednesday this month! Tomorrow, simply tweet us with your water saving tips using the hashtag
#WaterWednesday
. You could even tag a friend to get them a bottle too! (While stocks last)
It’s the final day of
#WaterSavingWeek
, and today it’s
#FreshwaterFriday
. Did you know attaching a trigger nozzle onto your hosepipe could halve the amount of water used and help direct the flow to the root of your plants?
It's
#WaterWednesday
! To commemorate
#WorldWaterDay
on 22 March, we’re giving away free water bottles every Wednesday this month! Simply tweet us your water saving tips, tag
@Ofwat
and
#WaterWednesday
. You could tag a friend to get them a bottle too!
#giveaway
(While stocks last)
Tomorrrow’s programme on Spark! is about why organisations should innovate.
#Innovation
means a lot of different things and can be seen in different forms. What is innovation to you?
#SparkInnovation
Our assessment of water companies’ plans for 2020-25 highlights where companies are delivering for customers and where we are pushing them to go further
#pr19
#moreofwhatmatters
Today, we've announced that water companies in England and Wales will need to return £114m to customers next year for under performance.
Read a summary of our announcement here
Today marks an important point in the net zero journey. We welcome the
#Routemap2030
as a step towards the ultimate goal of embedded and operational net zero by 2050 and look forward to working with the industry towards this, while challenging them to achieve it efficiently
#Climatechange
threatens our planet and our water supply💧 We need to fight it together, so we've developed the world's first sector-wide plan to reach
#netzero
by 2030. Find out more about the water industry's net zero vision
#Routemap2030
:
Innovation is at the heart of everything we do here at NWG. We love it so much we've decided to hold a whole festival dedicated to it this summer! The Innovation Festival is back for 2018 & it’s bigger & better than ever before!
#InnovationFestival18
💙😎
Filled the kettle for your morning ☕️? Brushing your 🪥?
We‘re helping the country prepare for the long term water challenges we face so we can enjoy the simple things without worrying about the future.
Read the 🧵 or watch the📽️ to find out more…
Water companies can’t control the weather but they can make sure their pipes, services and systems are resilient and able to cope with and avoid disruption.
You know what we are looking for in business plans, now find out what your company is doing by watching their videos. Click the link to visit our interactive map.
#PR19
#Unblocktober
top tip: Fats, oils and grease can clog pipes if they’re poured down the sink or even flushed down the loo. Instead, allow them to cool first before disposing of them in the bin. For more info follow
@unblocktober
#ShowWaterSomeLove
Today on
#WorldWaterDay
we reveal the 13 winners of
#WaterBreakthroughChallenge2
Catalyst Stream!
They have been awarded a share of £5.2m to deliver innovation in the water sector to benefit customers, society, & the environment.
Find out who they are:
We have opened an enforcement case into
@sewateruk
, to investigate whether it has failed to develop and maintain an efficient water supply system.
We're unable to provide specific details until the investigation has concluded.
Read more
Water is everything, but its future faces many challenges. Hear from
@OfwatChiefExec
Rachel Fletcher on how we can work towards a better future for the sector
#WaterStories
Today is
#WorldWaterDay
! Based on Sustainable Development Goal number 6, which aims to ensure availability and sustainable management of water for all by 2030, this year’s theme is ‘leaving no one behind’.
Don't miss our live
#Periscope
on Spark! at 12.30pm this Friday, 16 February - with our special guest
@LisaCommane
, Ofwat's Senior Director for Business Improvement
#SparkInnovation
#Unblocktober
top tip: As you drink your morning coffee, did you know the coffee grounds can clog pipes if they’re poured down the sink or even flushed down the loo? Instead, dispose in the bin or even use them for plant fertiliser
#ShowWaterSomeLove
London and the South East is experiencing more people and drier weather. Our draft decisions provide up to £450 million for companies to investigate ways of making sure there’s enough water for everyone.
#PR19
It’s
#NationalRefillDay
! Show the world you've
#GotTheBottle
to stop plastic pollution💧 Celebrate with us and
@Refill
by sharing posts of you refilling your reusable bottle on the go! Where will you refill today?
📢 We've confirmed 33 infrastructure schemes, totalling £2.2 billion, can begin in the next two financial years to help improve water supply resilience, and river and bathing water quality across the UK.
Watch or read 👇to learn more about the schemes.
The Govt's drought declaration for 8 areas of England follows hosepipe bans already announced by some English and Welsh water companies – by the end of August they'll affect more than 20m people.
A short thread and blog explaining their use and impact
Congratulations to all partners involved in the 11 successful entries of round one of our £2 million Innovation in Water Challenge! Here are the winners...
On Monday 16 December we’re announcing our final decisions from our price review this year. These are called final determinations – but what are they and what do they mean for water customers in England and Wales?
#PR19
#planstoreality
Shorter grass dries out faster so needs more watering
Did you know that a hose or sprinkler uses enough water to fill 12 baths per hour! You can water less by growing your grass longer
Discover more ways to save water via
@waterwise
:
#WatersWorthSaving
Today we launch our new strategy that sets out our ambition for the water sector, which includes improving life through water – you can find out more here
#TimeToActTogether
What is open data? Lisa Allen, Head of consultancy for data programmes at
@ODIHQ
tells us more in this video.
Find out more about our
#OpenData
discussion paper and join the
#H2Open
conversation:
Introducing the winners of the first round of the
#WaterBreakthroughChallenge
!
Nine initiatives have been selected for their innovative solutions hinged on partnerships within and outside the water sector - Congratulations to the winners!
Find out more:
Today, we've announced that we're opening enforcement cases into five water and wastewater companies as part of our investigation into wastewater treatment works.
National Energy Action and the Northumbrian Water Group are working together on a new, innovative programme to eradicate water poverty by 2030. Read the article and watch the full video here Use
#WaterStories
to join the conversation
Water supply is under increased demand.
When it's going to rain, transfer the water in your water butts to watering cans or buckets - and save even more water.
Discover more ways to save water via
@Waterwise
:
#WatersWorthSaving
Save water by watering your plants at cooler times of the day.
Your plants will retain more moisture so won't need watering as much.
Discover more tips to save water via
@Waterwise
:
#WatersWorthSaving
This Wednesday, we’re holding our
#Future30
event, where we’re looking forward to having some insightful and important conversations about the future of the sector. We'll be announcing speakers soon - stay tuned!
#WaterStories