UK Nature and Environment

Lib Dems provide more details on manifesto pledge to tackle sewage crisis and reform water industry by axing Ofwat in favour of new 'Clean Water Authority'

The Liberal Democrats have set out plans to launch a "tough new regulator" to replace current water industry watchdog Ofwat, as part of renewed efforts to tackle sewage pollution and reform the water sector across England and Wales.

After unveiling a raft of green pledges in its manifesto earlier this week, Lib Dem leader Ed Davey this morning unveiled further plans to tackle the well-publicised crisis of polluted rivers, waterways, and beaches, arguing Ofwat should be scrapped in favour of a Clean Water Authority.

The proposed new body would be given powers to ban bonuses for water company bosses, revoke the licence of poorly performing water companies, force water firms to publish the full scale of their sewage spills, reform water companies to put local environmental experts on their boards, and set legally binding targets on sewage discharges.