Water Special Measures Bill September 2024 – UK Government
Robert White
Plantwork Systems is currently involved in helping several of the main UK wastewater utility companies to bring some of the under achieving STWs within the required consent levels. Our wide range of affordable and sustainable stand-alone or add-on solutions are often ordered as an extension to current plants which need increased or additional process refinement.
Given that the new Labour Government has introduced a new ‘Water Special Measures Bill’, introduced in September 2024, Plantwork Systems is well positioned to help with a range of innovative products which use sustainable technology employing gravity and biology in place of electricity and chemicals.
The new bill aims to tighten the regulation of water companies and address the pollution of UK waterways, responding to growing concerns about sewage discharges into rivers, lakes, and seas, a critical issue in recent years.
Key provisions of the bill include:
1. Blocking executive bonuses: The regulator, Ofwat, would gain powers to block bonuses for water company executives if they fail to meet environmental standards.
2. New reporting requirements: Water companies will be required to publish annual pollution reduction plans and improve transparency about sewage discharges.
3. Stronger penalties: The bill introduces harsher penalties for companies that impede regulatory investigations, potentially including prison sentences.
4. Special administration: It would give regulators more power to oversee struggling water companies and improve the handling of companies in financial distress.
This legislation reflects Labour’s commitment to improving the UK’s water quality, increasing accountability in the water sector, and ensuring environmental protection by holding water companies to stricter standards.
Read more here Water (Special Measures) Bill: policy statement – GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)
Please get in touch with us for more information on how we might help you to meet the new targets.
PWS technology combines new wastewater treatment design with existing processes to offer the industry ground-breaking solutions to all wastewater treatment needs.
Combining biological engineering with mechanical and electrical design, our team delivers first class results in biological wastewater treatment.
The Company has developed a range of proprietary products and processes which are PROVEN to produce higher water quality at lower cost.
Article by Robert White, PWS Managing Director