While sewage is pumped into our waterways and water infrastructure is leaky and outdated, water firms are handing out large profits to overseas investors and bonuses to their CEOs.

Liberal Democrats want to see immediate action from this government to show they are serious about clearing up our rivers and waterways.

I am campaigning to replace Ofwat with a new water regulator called the Clean Water Authority which would take the environmental regulatory powers – including for river health – away from the Environment Agency (EA) and work with Natural Resources Wales (NRW). Ofwat has failed to:

• Regulate sizable profits given to water bosses and shareholders.
• Ensure water companies reduce water lost through leaks and replace old, faulty, Victorian pipe work.
• Secure investment from water companies to improve and build new infrastructure.
• Set ambitious targets to protect and improve water quality for the environment.

Further, an FOI by the Liberal Democrats found that Ofwat did not issue any fines to water companies in connection to how they manage sewage treatment since 2021.

Protecting our natural environment is at the heart of Liberal Democrat policy. Liberal Democrat Environment Spokesperson, Tim Farron MP’s recently held a Westminster Hall Debate on Water Company Regulation, which you can read here.

People in Sussex deserve better.