The Water Bill

The Draft Water Bill was published on 10 July 2012, followed almost 12 months to the day by the Water Bill, which had its first reading in the House of Commons on 27 June 2013.

The Draft Bill consists of 34 clauses and 7 schedules, the Bill of 57 clauses and 10 schedules. The Department for Environment Food & Rural Affairs (DEFRA) describes the Bill as improved and strengthened, albeit with a simplified approach to market reform. It states that Government is pursuing an ambitious agenda for a sustainable, resilient and customer-focused water sector, as well as delivering substantial improvements to rivers. DEFRAalso claims that it has taken on board points raised on the Draft Bill, to which it has made changes in order to focus on growth and resilience as well as improving the market reform proposals.

Further information is available:

http://www.businessgreen.com/bg/opinion/2281018/a-water-bill-overflowing-with-wasted-opportunity

https://www.gov.uk/government/policies/reforming-the-water-industry-to-increase-competition-and-protect-the-environment/supporting-pages/reform-of-the-water-market-the-new-water-bill