Water industry

This page highlights some of the current parliamentary material available on the water industry and water supply. This includes select committee reports, briefing papers on current legislation and other subjects produced by the parliamentary research services, and the latest Early Day Motions put down by MPs.

Standard Notes

Date	Description
24.05.2013	Water bills - are they affordable to all?
	Water affordability problems have grown with real-term increases in water bills of around 50% since privatisation in 1989. Current UK Government policy might not ensure that water bills are affordable to all those on low incomes, although support is available for some vulnerable households.
24.05.2013	Water bills and rateable values
	Members of the public often contact their water company or MP complaining that their water bill is much higher than their neighbour's because of differences to the rateable value of the properties. However, rateable values cannot be changed. Opting for a water meter might be the best option for households seeking to reduce their water bill.
17.05.2013	Water bills in the south-west
	This note provides information on water bills in the south-west, which are significantly higher than in other parts of England. It describes the Government's solution to the problem: a payment allowing a £50 reduction of South West Water customer bills from April 2013.
15.05.2013	The Water Bill
	The Government plans to introduce a Water Bill in this parliamentary session. It will probably focus on increasing competition in the water sector, and it will also aim to deliver other objectives including the provision of flood insurance, the better management of water supplies and more sustainable water abstraction.
08.11.2012	Sewer flooding

Research Papers

Date	Description
10.12.2009	Flood and Water Management Bill. Bill 9 2009-10.
	There has been growing pressure to introduce legislation to address the threat of flooding and water scarcity-both are predicted to increase with climate change. The Government published a draft Flood and Water Management Bill in April 2009, and the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Select Committee undertook pre-legislative scrutiny of the document. The Committee welcomed a number of the proposals, but it was concerned that a lack of parliamentary time would undermine the introduction of a comprehensive Bill. The Government introduced a slimmed-down version of the Bill on 19 November 2009. Key features include measures to: require the Environment Agency to create a National Flood and Coastal Erosion Risk Management Strategy, which a number of organisations will have to follow; require lead local flood authorities to create Local Flood Risk Management Strategies; enable the Environment Agency and local authorities more easily to carry out flood risk management works; introduce a more risk-based approach to reservoir management; change the arrangements that would apply should a water company go into administration; enable water companies more easily to control non-essential uses of water, such as the use of hosepipes; enable water companies to offer concessions to community groups for surface water drainage charges; require the use of sustainable drainage systems in certain new developments; and, introduce a mandatory build standard for sewers.
04.09.2003	Water Bill (HL) (Bill 149 2002/03)
	Water Bill (HL) (Bill 149 2002/03). House of Commons Library Research Paper 03/67.
10.12.1998	Water Industry Bill: Bill 1 1998/99
	Water Industry Bill: Bill 1 1998/99. House of Commons Library Research Paper 98/117. (Supersedes Research Paper 98/110).

Early Day Motions

Date	Description
01.11.2011	THAMES TUNNEL
	That this House is concerned that the recent report by Lord Selborne, instigated by the London Borough of Hammersmith and Fulham, long-standing opponents of the Thames Tunnel, fails ...
16.07.2009	SURFACE WATER DRAINAGE CHARGES
	That this House is extremely concerned by the impact of changes to the way surface water drainage is charged that allows water companies to base the charge for processing rainwater ...
14.07.2009	SURFACE WATER DRAINAGE CHARGES AND THE VOLUNTARY SECTOR
	That this House notes the impact of increased charges by some water companies for surface water drainage on places of worship, scout and guide associations and community amateur sports ...
22.04.2009	UTILITY COMPANIES' BUSINESS PRACTICES
	That this House notes the importance of utility companies exercising socially responsible and sustainable business practices; congratulates the staff and directors of Northumbrian Water ...
04.03.2009	WATER CHARGES FOR SCOUT GROUPS
	That this House notes the enormous contribution scout groups and other voluntary organisations make in helping local communities; notes with dismay the water regulator Ofwat's decision ...

POST Papers

Date	Description
15.09.2011	Water in production and products
	This POSTnote examines how virtual water use is calculated and its application within the global economy.
01.10.2010	Resilience of UK infrastructure
	This POSTnote outlines efforts to improve the resilience of infrastructure to the risks of natural hazards and any effects of future climate change.
01.04.2007	Energy and sewage, April 2007
	Energy and sewage, April 2007. POSTnote 07/282.