Project3 2/7/09 10:15 am Page 1
Water – it’s not a dry issue.
© Getty Images
T
he water and sewerage sectors in England and Wales have come a long way in almost 20 years.
At privatisation polluted beaches and rivers and neglected infrastructure meant we were seen as
the ‘dirty man of Europe’.
Since then, the water companies have invested almost £80 billion in maintaining and improving
services for consumers and the environment. Today, for example, the amount of water lost through
leaks is down by more than a third since the mid-1990s. In addition, salmon have returned to the River
Mersey, once considered one of the most polluted in Europe. All of this has been delivered efficiently
too – a litre of tap water, supplied and taken away, costs less than half a penny.
But the world is changing. The water and sewerage sectors face new problems and very different
challenges. In the future, climate change may mean we get more droughts and more floods, making it
harder to manage water services. Our population is growing and is forecast to become the biggest in
the EU by 2050. Lifestyle changes have increased our appetite for water in our homes, our work
places and our place of leisure. The current financial crisis also means we need to reconsider how
business operates.
We need sustainable solutions to these problems, which is why our approach to regulation is changing.
We need to be flexible in finding new ways of doing things – but also resilient in ensuring the water and
sewerage sectors meet the challenges effectively and efficiently. We want sustainable services for
consumers now and for future generations.
To find out more, go to www.ofwat.gov.uk
Ofwat – Protecting consumers, promoting value and safeguarding the future
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