Overview

• David Black, who became Ofwat’s permanent chief executive in April 2022, will leave at the end of August as ministers move to abolish the regulator by around 2027.
• Ministers plan to merge Ofwat with the Drinking Water Inspectorate, Environment Agency and Natural England functions into a single integrated water regulator.
• Anglian Water, Northumbrian Water and Southern Water have formally challenged Ofwat’s price determinations for the 2026–30 period.
• The Competition and Markets Authority is now reviewing roughly £104 billion in investment proposals submitted by water companies.
• A white paper due this November will outline the legislative framework for the transition, reinforce consumer protections and set pollution reduction targets.