Water (Special Measures) Act 2025 (2025 Ch. 5)

The Water (Special Measures) Act 2025 amends the Water Industry Act 1991, Water Resources Act 1991, and to the Environment Act 1995 under several sections to what concern water companies to ensure they are better held to account where they have failed to deliver for the environment and customers. The Act introduces a number of changes to the regulation and governance of water companies and represents a significant shift in the power of water industry regulators to influence the governance of water and sewerage companies and to reduce pollution. Amendments include rules about remuneration and governance; provisions regarding pollution incident reduction plans; emergency overflows, sanctions and civil penalties; Regulation of abstraction and impounding; Consumer charges; and special administrative orders. The Act is also about financial transparency of water companies and schemes for those who cannot afford payment of water charges.