The issue of water quality is no longer a niche concern; it's a mainstream demand heard loud and clear.

The topic of water, from a burst pipe flooding a street, a hosepipe ban, to sewage on a beach, in all of its complexity, has been in the mainstream of public and political attention over the past year more than ever before. ?

Growing environmental consciousness and a collective thirst for clean, reliable water are just some of the catalysts that drive change in our water infrastructure. What was once a niche concern has become a mainstream demand, echoing the public's desire to see substantial investment in clean and plentiful water.??

Reflecting on history, we find that pivotal moments often drive innovation. The Great Stink of 1858, closing the Houses of Parliament, led to Joseph Bazalgette's revolutionary sewer system in London. However, every innovation leads to new challenges. This cycle has characterised the last 150 years of water management globally.?

The 1989 privatisation of the water industry marked another landmark, offering a new way to raise investment for water infrastructure. For example, comparing Blackpool in 1990 with Blackpool today shows how innovation, investment and partnership have played a crucial part in cleaning up our rivers, seas, and estuaries. We have planned, regulated, and invested to reduce organic pollution, ammonia, and nutrients with evidenced success.?? In London the Thames, biologically dead in living memory, now supports 125 species of fish, 400 types of invertebrates, seahorses and seals. But the story, the pressures, the expectations have moved on.?

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As we stand on the edge of the next wave of challenges, it's evident that one generation's innovation brings on the next generation's challenges. Bazalgette’s grand innovation of combined sewer networks now cannot cope with population increase and changing weather patterns.?So, planning the next round of investment requires a long-term perspective.?

Last year the Environment Agency announced plans to transform the way we regulate the water industry. Acknowledging the criticisms faced by both the water industry and its regulators, there is a collective effort to transform regulation for a more effective, efficient, and resilient system. These efforts include expanding and specialising our workforce, investing in training and digital tools, and significantly increasing our inspection and compliance activities.?

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Between April 2024 and March 2025, the Environment Agency will quadruple the amount of water company inspections to deliver 4,000 inspections. We have new tools allowing us to speed up our enforcement such as Variable Monetary Penalties that don't require us to go to court, enabling our enforcement to be timely and proportionate.??But perhaps most importantly, we will increase our collaborative working with industry to drive the investment required to address regulatory failures.??

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There is no quick fix or magic button to halt pollution overnight. Whilst the news here in England is all about storm overflows, they account for only 7% of waterbody ecological failures. Other more significant sources of pollution include:?

• 35% from the wider water industry??
• 40% from agriculture??
• 18% from urban and transport.??

We need to act on all of this if we are to secure clean and plentiful water. So, what’s next? The next Price Review period promises unprecedented investment in water infrastructure, demanding wise decisions for long-term solutions. There is no one-size-fits-all approach; solutions must be tailored, innovative, and well-funded. We’ll need to ensure maintenance of assets gets the funding and attention it needs too. Most importantly, we’ll need an eye to the long term – putting in place solutions that are fit for the future.??

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As we navigate these waves of change, let us draw inspiration from our past successes. England has transformed its water management before, and with collaborative efforts, innovation, and sustained investment, we can shape a future where clean and plentiful water is a reality.