Future challenges
This section outlines the work that we are carrying out to prepare the water and sewerage sectors for the challenges we now face.
The water and sewerage sectors have made significant progress since they were privatised two decades ago. Then, a neglected infrastructure, along with polluted beaches and rivers, meant we were seen by many as the ‘dirty man of Europe’. Today we have world-class drinking water and a cleaner environment. Services are also safer, better and more secure than ever before.
However, looking ahead we now face a number of major challenges that threaten not only the progress we have made but also our long-term water security. These include:
- climate change mitigation
- climate change adaptation
- affordability
- rising environmental standards
- rising consumer expectations
- population growth and lifestyle changes
These challenges mean that simply relying on the solutions of the past will not be enough to contribute to deliver the services of the future. We need to consider better, more sustainable ways of doing things, and we need to do this now, because new solutions may take a long time to deliver.
That is why we are carrying out a number of key projects as part of a ‘future regulation’ programme. Through these projects, we are developing fresh ideas for regulating the sectors that build on past successes. And we think that they will have a number of benefits for consumers, the environment, companies and investors.
- Safe, reliable and sustainable water, sewerage and drainage services
- More efficient use of water resources – from source to tap
- Choice and more customer-focused services
- Appropriate protection for all customers
- Fair and transparent charges
- Flexible and dynamic businesses
- Continued investment opportunities
- Innovation in the financing and delivery of services
- Proportionate and targeted regulation
Strategic projects
Enabling projects
To inform and advise on our future regulation programme, we are consulting an expert advisory panel. It comprises respected professionals from a number of key fields of study.
Focus reports
Alongside our programme, we will be publishing a series of ‘Focus reports’. These are aimed at informing customers and other stakeholders about different areas of our work – or our latest thinking around a particular issue.
For example, our ‘A drain on society – what can be done about water debt?’ report looked at the problem of customer debt within the water and sewerage sectors and what we think should be done about it.
By publishing these reports we hope to provoke discussion – and possible action – amongst our stakeholders, to help us all find the right long term, sustainable solutions.
