Big win for Lib Dems as Ofwat set to be scrapped

After years of Lib Dem campaigning, including from local MP, Alex Brewer, the Government has finally accepted calls to replace water regulator Ofwat with a new, more powerful body, capable of holding water companies to account.

The new regulator will combine Ofwat’s former functions with key parts of the Environment Agency and other bodies, something that Alex and the Lib Dems have long called for, to end regulator confusion.

For years, companies like Thames Water have been polluting British waterways while facing minimal penalties from Ofwat, despite continued poor service. As a result, the Lib Dems have been campaigning for Ofwat to be replaced with a regulator with real teeth.

In Parliament, Alex has voted 4 times to amend the Water (Special Measures) Act to overhaul our system, signed 5 Early Day Motions to Parliament, attended 6 Water All Party Parliamentary Group meetings, and supported numerous Lib Dem amendments pushing for real change.

Commenting, Alex said: “I’m glad to see that the Government has finally listened to us, to our constituents, and to all the organisations who are just as outraged as we are at how broken our water system has become.

“However, there is still more work to do, especially given the Government’s continued refusal to introduce special protection for chalk stream rivers, which matter so much in our area and across the South of England.”