Ofwat is proposing to approve the accelerated delivery of 31
investment schemes to deliver benefits for customers and the
environment. The total investment will be around £1.6bn with work
beginning in the next two financial years, from 2023 to
2025.
The investments will deliver benefits in three areas:
- £1.1bn to improve over 250 storm
overflows and reduce the annual average of spills by 10,000. This
includes work to improve water quality at the bathing water site
at Ilkley on the River Wharfe and significantly reduce spills
into Lake Windermere;
- £400m for water resilience schemes
including installation of 462,000 smart meters, and new water
resource and water quality projects. In total these projects will
deliver and protect 159Ml/d of water supply, helping to increase
drought resilience; and
- £160m to help reduce nutrient
pollution and support nutrient neutrality at 14 locations
–protecting natural ecosystems while facilitating housing and
economic development.
In October 2022, Ofwat and Defra invited companies to propose
schemes to accelerate investment in water resilience (supply and
demand); storm overflows; and nutrient neutrality. Early approval
of schemes will help the sector to gear up for a larger
investment programme over the coming years and will help deliver
benefits for customers and the environment sooner.
These are Ofwat's draft decisions for consultation. All projects
must be started prior to April 2025 and completed by 2030. Ofwat
has also identified a further 37 schemes, totalling £376m of
investment in the 2023-25 period and £1.5bn overall, that
companies can accelerate if they are included in final company
environmental plans and address concerns that Ofwat has
raised.
, Chief Executive, Ofwat,
said:
"Substantial investment is needed to address the challenges to
our water system of storm overflows, river and bathing water
quality and drought resilience. We are pleased that we've been
able to work with companies and identify significant investments
which companies can start well before the next price control
period. This will bring substantial benefits for customers and
the environment and bring them faster. We want to see companies
making more rapid progress in delivering improvements, and will
hold them to account if they fall short”.
Water Minister said:
“These new schemes will help accelerate the delivery of the
urgent improvements we need to protect our environment. It
includes £1.1 billion of new investment to stop sewage discharges
at sites across the country and will deliver a reduction of
10,000 discharges per year in places like Lake Windermere, the
River Wharfe, Falmouth and Sidmouth.
“The investment set out here will also provide an important boost
for regional jobs, businesses and local communities.
“It builds on the key commitments in our five-year strategy – our
Environmental Improvement Plan - as well as our upcoming Plan for
Water to tackle pollution, reduce water consumption and protect
our waters”.
Notes: Information on the schemes
and the assessment process
