Proper Regulation on Water

It’s hard to ignore the broken water system here in Cornwall, especially when the sea turns brown after rain. Poor water quality is not only bad for our health and environment, but also our local economy. Change is overdue.

This month, we launched the new Water White Paper to tackle the broken water system head-on. It marks the most significant reform of the system in a generation.

The Paper will replace the weak, fragmented regulatory framework with a single, powerful regulator supported by a Chief Engineer, unannounced inspections, and dedicated supervisory teams. It will introduce open monitoring of sewage discharges, major investment in storm overflow and wastewater upgrades, and stronger measures to address farming runoff.

Since taking office, the Government has:

• secured £104 billion in private investment to upgrade infrastructure,

• banned unfair bonuses for water executives,

• criminalised pollution cover-ups,

• passed the Water (Special Measures) Act 2025 to strengthen accountability.

Together, these reforms will create a more reliable water system, and Cornwall will benefit.