Responding to the programme’s findings, Water UK said: “Companies have put forward proposals for a record investment of £96 billion, to ensure the security of our water supply in the future and reduce spills into rivers and seas as quickly as possible. »
The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs told the program it was “conducting the largest infrastructure program in the water company’s history to upgrade the network”.
The Environment Agency said it “takes the management of conflicts of interest very seriously”, adding that none of its most senior officials have an interest in a water company.
Ofwat said employees “with plans to leave” were removed from projects where there was a “potential for a conflict of interest”.