Your invitation to change water company policy
Fresh ideas needed on water sector reforms plus the latest environmental news from the North East and North Yorkshire
Good morning! I’m Sarah Hartley and this is The Northern Eco weekly update. As you’ve received this newsletter then either you subscribed, or someone forwarded it to you. If the latter, then you can click on this handy little button below.
It’s been a long time coming but the big eco news this week is that the Independent Water Commission has launched its public consultation. Read on to find out how to have your say on that plus:
How much of your electricity bill is really down to net zero?
The latest solar farm applications
Why windfarms are being painted black
Public invited to have say on water sector fit for the future
The public, environment groups, investors and others can now share their views from on future changes to the water sector.
Everything from how customer bills are set, environmental regulation, the financial resilience of water companies and how to attract long-term investment in the sector are among the areas where the Independent Water Commission is seeking views.
In welcoming the move, campaign group Surfers Against Sewage said it was preparing further guidance for people on how to complete the call for evidence in the consultation.
“So far this year, we've seen 84,000 sewage discharges already. Bills are going up, shareholders are taking huge payments and infrastructure is crumbling.
“This Independent Commission is our chance to change the system that pollutes for profit. Water companies must deliver for the people of this country and end sewage pollution.
“We’re stoked to see that the public will be allowed to share their views in this review. People power works. We won’t take anything less than ending sewage pollution now.”
The wide-ranging Call for Evidence is open for views from all interested parties until 23 April. The Independent Water Commission will make its final recommendations to both UK and Welsh Governments this summer.
Sir Jon Cunliffe, Chair of the Independent Water Commission and Former Deputy Governor of the Bank of England, said:
“The Commission’s initial work has highlighted a range of serious and often interlocking concerns. Ambitious changes will be needed to address these concerns and rebuild the trust in the system that has broken down on all sides – customers, environmental groups, investors and companies.
“The Call for Evidence will play a key role in shaping the Commission’s thinking going forward and I welcome input from all those who want to contribute to our work.”
There are six key areas where the Commission is seeking views. These are:
The strategic management of water. This seeks views on how to manage the many competing pressures and demands on the water system, and how strategic direction and management can be set at both national and regional levels.
The overarching regulatory system. This covers the volume and complexity of legislation in the water sector, and the overall functions and responsibilities of the four regulators (Ofwat, Environment Agency, Drinking Water Inspectorate, Natural Resources Wales).
Economic regulation. This seeks views on the five-yearly Price Review process and the weight placed upon industry-wide benchmarking. It also covers customer protections, financial resilience and investor returns. This includes how to attract the necessary finance for future investment, with a fair balance between risk and reward.
Environmental and drinking water regulation. This covers how regulation can better protect the environment, public health and the country’s finite water resources. It seeks views on how water companies are held to account for non-compliance.
Water company ownership models. This includes the impact of public listing versus private ownership and how to ensure financial resilience.
Asset health and supply chains. This seeks views on improving the resilience of water company infrastructure – its pipes, water treatment plants, reservoirs and pumping stations. It also covers the capacity and robustness of water industry supply chains.
The Independent Water Commission was announced by the UK and Welsh governments in October 2024. It is operating independently of UK and Welsh Ministers.
It is supported by an advisory panel, with leading voices from areas including the environment, public health and investment.
All responses to the Call for Evidence must be received by midnight on Wednesday 23 April 2025. Read the full press release here.
More river news
💦 “I’m old – I'm 80 – but this is about what we want to leave to our grandchildren. The aim is to maintain the river’s beauty, but also to maintain people’s interest in it, because it’s a community resource.” The Stray Ferret reports on the Nidd Action Group’s public consultation meeting.
💦 Major legislation to crack down on water bosses polluting Britain’s rivers, lakes and seas has now been signed into law. The Water (Special Measures) Act 2025 will give regulators new powers to take tougher and faster action to crack down on water companies damaging the environment and failing their customers. [Government press release]
The three most clicked links from last week were:
The strange case of a meeting for house builders, dumped sensitive documents and ‘What3Words’
In other news
⚡️ Ryedale's MP says the decision to approve plans for solar farm near Malton is 'deeply flawed' and represents a blow to British farming and food security, reports Karen Darley at the York Press.
🌏 The North East's net zero economy is now worth £2.3 billion, according to the national CBI Economics report. The sector, which employs 31,800 full-time workers, representing 2.8 per cent of the North East workforce also grew by 10 per cent in the past year, matching the national average growth, writes Ellen Morris at The Northern Echo.
🌏 FACT CHECK: While we’re on the topic of net zero, if you’ve been on Facebook recently you may have been duped by some misinformation. We’re always on the look out for nonsense postings and so are happy to put the record straight and report that net zero policy costs do not account for 25% of an electricity bill. Hannah Smith at Full Fact explains more about this.
💨 Offshore windfarms are to be painted black in an effort to reduce the number of birds that die after flying into them, reports Rachel Keeenan at The Guardian in this week’s most unlikely story!
What's on: Eco Events for March
Welcome to the 124th edition of The Northern Eco. Here’s a round-up of events coming up across North Yorkshire and the North East this month for those with a greener heart. It exists thanks to our brilliant paying subscribers. 🙏
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