'How is replacing one quango with another going to clean our rivers?'

Fear over plans for new water watchdog

- By Katie Harris

LABOUR is set to launch a new water watchdog as part of a major overhaul of the crisis-hit industry.

Environment Secretary Steve Reed will today commit to setting up an ombudsman with legal powers to resolve disputes.

It follows the publication of a review into it amid fury over the state of the UK’s waterways and a 26% increase in bills this year for householders.

The key recommendation from the report is expected to involve replacing Ofwat with a new regulator.

Mr Reed will say: “The water industry is broken. Our rivers, lakes and seas are polluted with record levels of sewage.

“Water pipes have been left to crumble into disrepair. Soaring water bills are straining family finances.