Source · Select Committees · Public Accounts Committee
Recommendation 30
30
Acknowledged
Water regulators are increasing inspection capacity and enhancing operational cooperation and information sharing.
Conclusion
The regulators told us about operational changes they were making now. The EA told us it has increased its capacity to carry out inspections, and expects to do 10,000 a year from next year, including returning to areas where issues were found this year.99 We asked the regulators if there was more they could co-operate on. Ofwat told us that enforcement teams across the two regulators work together, and bring intelligence together on company performance. The EA also told us it and Ofwat are building a platform for sharing information, to be able to join up better.100 92 Qq 48, 95 93 C&AG’s Report, para 25 94 Q 95 95 Q 48 96 C&AG’s Report, para 3.32 97 Qq 91, 107 98 Qq 29, 85 99 Q 75 100 Qq 111, 113 19
Government Response Summary
The government welcomes the operational changes that the regulators are making to improve their oversight of the water sector and notes that the EA has increased its capacity to carry out inspections of water company sites and assets, and Ofwat is working with the EA to improve data sharing and intelligence gathering.
Government Response
Acknowledged
HM Government
Acknowledged
The Government welcomes the operational changes that the regulators are making to improve their oversight of the water sector. The Environment Agency has increased its capacity to carry out inspections of water company sites and assets, and Ofwat is working with the Environment Agency to improve data sharing and intelligence gathering.