Source · Select Committees · Public Accounts Committee
Recommendation 19
19
Regulators lack power to impose enforcement undertakings on water companies
Conclusion
Both the EA and Ofwat told us they would like to encourage companies into ‘enforcement undertakings’, whereby companies are obliged to take action to fix an issue, or return money to bill-payers. The EA told us that at present, only 12% of its cases get an offer of undertakings. Both Ofwat and EA told us they do not have the legal power to impose undertakings, although the EA told us it is hoping to use civil penalties as a lever to get more companies to volunteer.55
Government Response
A response document is linked to this report, dated 15 October 2025. Response attribution to this conclusion has not been verified. Read the response document ↗