Water watchdog to be abolished as part of overhaul of 'broken system'

WATER watchdog Ofwat will be abolished as part of an overhaul of a “broken” water regulation system that “failed customers and the environment”.

- EMILY BEAMENT and HOLLY MORGAN

The move comes following a damning independent review by Sir Jon Cunliffe commissioned by the UK Government to answer public fury over pollution in rivers, lakes and seas, soaring bills, shareholder payouts and bosses’ bonuses.

The landmark review advised that the system for regulating water companies in England and Wales should be overhauled and replaced.

Sir Jon's final report outlined 88 recommendations to the UK and Welsh governments to turn around the ailing industry.

The government-commissioned review was tasked to carry out the largest review of the sector since privatisation and it has said that in Wales there should be an independent economic regulator, which could be Natural Resources Wales (NRW) or could be a new body.

Huw Irranca-Davies, deputy first minister and cabinet secretary for climate change and rural affairs, welcomed the recommendations.

He said: “Working closely with the UK Government, I intend to progress the commission’s recommendation for a separate, independent economic regulator for Wales.