Its investigation found the merger would likely result in higher cost or lower quality services for councils, with knock-on effects for taxpayers, as well as businesses across the UK

The deal is aimed at resolving anti-trust concerns

Veolia and Suez have reportedly been awarded contracts that will allow them to ‘incinerate’ unused PPE at their sites

It believes the merger could create a loss of competition and hike in costs for waste management services

It is conditional on the divestment of Suez’s lightweight packaging sorting business in the Netherlands

The technology produces satellite images covering 3,500km which are sent directly to the water company’s field staff, who can then investigate the area and pinpoint the leak