Source · Select Committees · Public Accounts Committee
Recommendation 12
12
Acknowledged
Wastewater asset inspection responsibilities are unclear, lacking a dedicated inspectorate function.
Conclusion
The UK has one of the highest standards of drinking water quality in the world, and the Drinking Water Inspectorate (DWI) does inspect water supply assets.28 But the responsibility for wastewater is much less clear. The EA’s responsibility is to conduct inspections only to assess compliance with environmental permits. Ofwat is not an inspectorate, and Defra told us that regulation had moved away from direct regulation and inspections since 2011.29 Water UK told us that Ofwat has not had a chief engineer in place since 2005. The EA says it is getting back into the business of doing significant inspections, having conducted 4,600 last year and planning to carry out 10,000 this year.30 Long-term planning
Government Response Summary
The government recognises the importance of robust regulation to ensure water companies are meeting their obligations to protect the environment and provide high-quality drinking water and is committed to ensuring that regulators have the powers and resources they need to hold water companies to account.
Government Response
Acknowledged
HM Government
Acknowledged
The Government recognises the importance of robust regulation to ensure water companies are meeting their obligations to protect the environment and provide high-quality drinking water. The Drinking Water Inspectorate (DWI) is responsible for regulating drinking water quality in England and Wales, and the Environment Agency (EA) is responsible for regulating wastewater treatment and discharges. Ofwat also has a role in regulating the environmental performance of water companies, and can take enforcement action against companies that fail to meet their environmental obligations. The Government is committed to ensuring that these regulators have the powers and resources they need to hold water companies to account.