Independent Water Commission report – more infrastructure proposals needed

CPRE Sussex welcomes call for the existing water regulatory system to be replaced but says new proposals don’t go far enough to fix failing sewage and water infrastructure ahead of government housing plans.

CPRE Sussex has welcomed a report which recognises that planning processes need to be overhauled across the water infrastructure system, with the existing regulator Ofwat to be scrapped.

The new report from the Independent Water Commission published today (July 21) doesn’t go far enough in tackling water companies themselves, but correctly identifies that the government’s plan to build 1.5 million new homes and connect them to an already failing sewage system is a problem.

“We welcome the recommendation that planning processes be overhauled to provide greater join-up between local plans for development and water infrastructure investment,” said CPRE Sussex Director Paul Steedman.

“In particular we welcome the recommendation that the ‘right to connect’ – which entitles new homes to be connected to water supplies and sewage pipes – be reviewed.

“But the report has dodged the question of whether the water companies are fit to run our water system. Southern Water was identified last week as having one of the worst records for serious pollution incidents; this cannot continue.

“We need the government to come forward quickly to ensure that the necessary changes are put in place so that upgrades to sewers and water treatment works take place before new homes can be occupied.”

CPRE Sussex was one of 50,000 organisations and individuals to previously submit evidence for the commission’s interim report, published in June.

Read to full report here – Independent Water Commission Final Report – Summary