Water Bill 2024-25

The Water Bill was introduced in the House of Commons on 16 October 2024, and its second reading took place on 28 March 2025.

The Water Bill is a private member’s bill (PMB), and was introduced by Clive Lewis MP (Labour).

The second reading debate was adjourned, and is scheduled to continue on 5 July 2025, if there is time in the sitting.

Why has the bill been introduced?

Clive Lewis has criticised the current regulation and governance of the water sector, and has advocated for “public ownership, not just nationalisation” to “rebuild trust in the government’s commitment to the common good.” In an article published in Labour List, he set out that he intends for his private member’s bill to serve “as a blue print for economic democracy and climate adaptation”.

What would the bill do?

The Water Bill focuses on introducing new objectives and targets for both the Secretary of State and the economic regulator, Ofwat, on clean water, climate change, affordability and governance. It makes provisions for a strategy to achieve these objectives and targets, which would be informed by both an Independent Commission and a Citizens’ Assembly.

The long title of the bill is:

“A Bill to set targets and objectives relating to water, including in relation to the ownership of water companies and to climate mitigation and adaptation; to require the Secretary of State to publish and implement a strategy for achieving those targets and objectives; to establish a Commission on Water to advise the Secretary of State on that strategy; to make provision about the powers and duties of that Commission, including a requirement to establish a Citizens’ Assembly on water ownership; and for connected purposes.”

This bill has a broad scope, and touches on a range of issues across the water sector. It proposes a new approach to address some of these issues, with a strategy developed through multi-level stakeholder engagement of both those working in or involved with the water sector and civil society (though an independent commission and citizens’ assembly). It would extend to England and Wales.