Water watchdog reform in pipeline

STEVE Reed is set to announce tougher protections for consumers amid declining trust in the water industry.

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The Environment Secretary will commit to setting up a new water ombudsman with legal powers to resolve disputes, rather than the current voluntary system that is thought to lack teeth.

The changes, which will expand the role of the Consumer Council for Water (CCW), will bring the sector into line with other utilities by creating a legally-binding consumer watchdog.

It will also provide a single point of contact for consumer complaints, instead of leaving them uncertain about where to go.

It comes after Mr Reed yesterday pledged to halve the number of times sewage is discharged into waterways in England and Wales by 2030.