Ofwat launches review after Beast from the East disrupts water supplies

The regulator will examine if water companies planned ahead sufficiently in the run up to the recent severe weather conditions

Water suppliers are to be questioned by Ofwat after the recent severe weather conditions disrupted supplies.

The regulator has launched a review of the water supply issues experienced by customers across England and Wales and evaluate companies’ preparedness in the run up to the recent Beast from the East, including whether they planned ahead sufficiently.

It will also examine the quality of support provided to customers, particularly those in vulnerable situations as well as how water suppliers communicated with affected householders and businesses.

Ofwat is seeking input from a wide range of groups, including household and business customers, public representatives, community organisations and local authorities.

Chief Executive Rachel Fletcher said: “To be left without a vital public service like water – in some cases for several days – is deeply distressing, particularly for those in vulnerable circumstances. Through this review, we are aiming to get to the bottom of why this happened and to identify what lessons can be learned so customers experience minimum disruption in these kinds of circumstances in the future.”

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