The water sector is set to invest £2.8 billion in environmental projects to help the country build back greener. Ofwat, in collaboration with Defra, the Environment Agency, the Drinking Water Inspectorate, and CCW, wrote to water companies last year and challenged them to identify ways to support the country’s green economic recovery from COVID-19.
Companies were asked to deliver new proposals and accelerate existing ones to deliver an innovative and more resilient future for customers, society, and the environment.
Following that, Ofwat set out plans to support £850 million of new, green investment projects. A further £1.9 billion of future planned environmental projects will be brought forward to contribute to a green recovery.
Severn Trent Water, South Staffs Water, South West Water, Thames Water, and United Utilities have received initial backing from Ofwat for new proposals collectively worth more than £850 million which will benefit the environment and create jobs.
As part of this new package of investment, companies will commit over £157 million to help eliminate the harm caused by storm overflows and trial the creation of two new bathing rivers.
The new projects will also see companies collaborating with local partners to reduce the risk of flooding, protect habitats, and cut pollution by investing £89 million in catchment management and nature-based solutions. There are also innovative improvements in drinking water treatment and supply which will reduce energy and chemical usage and there will be up to £172 million for measures to help customers save water, including in areas that currently abstract water from chalk streams. These proposals will help to restore and create a natural environment that current and future generations can be proud of.
These new schemes will be delivered alongside £1.9 billion of planned expenditure which has been brought forward by twelve water companies across England to further accelerate the green recovery and deliver hundreds of extra environmental schemes. These include measures to improve river quality and protect endangered species.
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