From 23 June 2025, water companies in England and Wales are
required to be more transparent about how they tackle pollution.
Under the Water (Special Measures) Act, two major changes
are now in force:
1. Pollution Incident Reduction Plans (PIRPs): water companies
must now publish annual PIRPs. These plans will explain how they
identify, respond to, and reduce sewage pollution in their
networks.
The first PIRPs must be published annually, from 1 April 2026.
The Environment Agency will review the PIRPs to ensure progress is
being made. Failure to comply may result in fines.
2. Nature-Based Solutions in Drainage Plans: from 23 June 2025,
companies must now show how they are using nature-based solutions
in their Drainage and Wastewater Management Plans. For example,
companies now must consider nature-based solutions, such as
construction of wetlands or riparian buffers to help improve water
quality, rather than water recycling centres.
