Water companies in England and Wales will face more rigorous oversight, including unannounced inspections and regular MOT-style checks, as part of a government overhaul of the water industry. Environment Secretary Emma Reynolds announced the changes, describing them as the most significant reform since privatization, designed to address public concerns over pollution incidents, leaks, and water outages.

The new measures aim to hold water companies accountable for their performance and ensure they meet environmental standards. Reynolds stated that the current system, where companies essentially self-regulate, has failed. "We've had a system whereby water companies are marking their own homework," she told the BBC, adding, "This has been a whole system failure," encompassing regulation, regulators, and the water companies themselves.

The Water White Paper outlines the creation of company-specific teams dedicated to monitoring, supervising, and supporting individual firms, addressing their unique challenges. This approach replaces the previous "desk based, one size fits all" method. Compulsory water efficiency labels on appliances are also part of the overhaul, intended to promote responsible water usage among consumers.

The reforms come in response to growing public dissatisfaction with the water industry's performance. In recent years, numerous pollution incidents, leaks, and water outages have disrupted service for thousands of customers. The government hopes the increased scrutiny and targeted support will lead to improved environmental performance and more reliable service delivery.

The government has not yet released a detailed timeline for the implementation of these changes, but Reynolds indicated that the reforms would be phased in over the coming months. The industry and regulatory bodies are expected to provide feedback on the proposals, which will likely be refined before final implementation. The success of the overhaul will depend on the effective collaboration between the government, regulators, and water companies in achieving the shared goal of a more sustainable and reliable water system.