Jurisdiction(s):
United Kingdom

Related legal acts

Key definition

Authority definition

What does Authority mean? In practice, Authority refers to the public sector client that procures and manages a project or service and is the named counterparty in the contract. In public procurement, PFI/PPP, DBFM/DBFOM and outsourcing documents, it is a contractual shorthand for the “contracting authority” defined in legislation (England & Wales and Northern Ireland: Public Contracts Regulations 2015; Scotland: Public Contracts (Scotland) Regulations 2015; Ireland: European Union (Award of Public Authority Contracts) Regulations 2016). Typical Authorities include a local authority, an NHS trust or health board, a central government department or minister, a non‑departmental public body or agency, or another body...

Ofwat and water regulation in England and Wales: legal framework, enforcement, markets and price controls, with 2024–2026 reforms and the proposed Clean Water Authority

Published by a LexisNexis Environment expert

Practice notes

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This Practice Note outlines key legal considerations relating to the Water Services Regulation Authority (Ofwat) and oversight of water and sewerage in England and Wales.

Roadmap for reform of water industry

In October 2024 an Independent Commission into the water sector and its regulation, the IWC, chaired by Sir Jon Cunliffe, was established. The IWC was mandated to report to the UK and Welsh governments with proposals to address structural problems in the sector so as to ‘restore rivers, lakes and seas to good health, to meet the challenges of the future and drive economic growth’. In July 2025 the IWC issued its Final Report, setting out 88 recommendations to the UK and Welsh governments to reshape the industry. At the same time, Defra confirmed, via press release, the abolition of Ofwat in what is expected to be the most significant overhaul of the water sector since privatisation. Ofwat is to be succeeded by a new, unitary and powerful regulator to be created to ‘cut water pollution in England’s rivers, lakes and seas, and protect families from massive bill hikes’. The new watchdog will assume responsibility for water functions spanning Ofwat, the Environment Agency, Natural England and the Drinking Water...

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Web page updated on 21/05/2026

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