Recommendation 29

Defra acknowledged that some issues were too pressing to wait until it implemented the Commission’s recommendations. Defra told us that it took some of the actions needed in the Water (Special Measures) Act. However, EA told us that its power to take action when storm overflows are used on days without rain will not come into force until 1 January 2026.97 Ofwat also told us it was consulting on the approach for the fit and proper test over next two to three months. Defra told us that the Act also establishes new customer panels and other measures to make companies more directly accountable to customers, but did not tell us when they would be in operation.98