Policy paper
Water (Special Measures) Act: policy statement
Sets out the details of the provisions in the Water (Special Measures) Act and how they are intended to apply.
Applies to England and Wales
Documents
Details
This policy statement sets out how the Water (Special Measures) Act will drive meaningful improvements in the performance and culture of the water industry. This is an important first step in enabling wider, transformative change across the water sector more broadly.
The policy statement includes details on provisions which enable government and the regulators to:
- block bonuses for executives who pollute our waterways
- bring criminal charges against persistent law breakers
- enable automatic and severe fines for wrongdoing
- ensure monitoring of every sewage outlet
Updates to this page
Published 5 September 2024
Last updated 24 February 2025
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The Water (Special Measures) Act received royal assent on 24 February 2025. Updated the page to reflect changes made to the act during passage through parliament.
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First published.