Sustainability
Resources and environmental systems such as water, land and air are under increasing stress. Sustainable development is about understanding the true value of our resources. It is also about joining up economic, social and environmental goals.
Our strategy sets out our vision for sustainable water.
A sustainable cycle that allows us to meet our needs for water and sewerage today while enabling future generations to meet their own needs.
This is expanded in Water today, water tomorrow – Ofwat and sustainability.
We also have a duty under the Water Industry Act 1991 (as amended) to 'exercise and perform powers and duties...in the manner...best calculated to contribute to the achievement of sustainable development'.
We encourage the water companies to take responsibility for the wider social, economic and environmental impacts of their activities. They must meet today’s consumer needs, without compromising quality of life for future generations. The companies set out their long-term plans including their approach to climate change and sustainability in their strategic direction statements.
Find out more about our projects to meet sustainability challenges:
Our sustainability principles
- A safe and reliable water and sewerage service for consumsers that minimises the impacts on the environment now and in the future.
- Consumers continue to get a fair deal and receive a level of service that consistently meets their needs.
- Financially robust sectors that are able to meet consumers' needs at a fair cost, into the future
- Companies that remain accountable to their customers
- Using the best available information to support decision making
You can see how we implement our sustainability principles in the following case studies.
- Achieving a sustainable level of leakage
- Financing investment in services
- Driving improvements in customer services
