United Utilities welcomes plan for regional water councils

United Utilities has welcomed Government plans to give communities more say over how water companies invest in local areas.

The Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs announced on Thursday that eight new regional water councils would be set up to help shape investment in water and flood infrastructure.

Louise Beardmore, Chief Executive of United Utilities, said: "We strongly support the principle of bringing decision-making on water infrastructure closer to the communities we serve. In the North West, we've shown that when we work alongside local partners who understand the needs of their communities, we can deliver better solutions than through a one-size-fits-all national approach. 

“Our work with a coalition of local stakeholders to develop the Only Rainwater solution for Windermere is a great example of this place-based, collaborative model. 

“The same principle underpins our Integrated Water Management Plan with local authorities across Greater Manchester, and we are developing similar partnerships in the Liverpool City Region and beyond. 

“We look forward to deepening these relationships with local leaders and communities across the North West as the regional water councils take shape."

United Utilities operates through dedicated county-based teams across Cheshire, Cumbria, Greater Manchester, Lancashire and Merseyside, enabling closer collaboration with local authorities, businesses, community groups and environmental partners. The model is designed to strengthen local accountability, ensure investment reflects local priorities and support place-based solutions tailored to the needs of communities and catchments.

Examples of this place-based approach include:

Only Rainwater into Windermere is the coalition which has developed a solution for removing wastewater and highway runoff from England’s largest lake. Alongside United Utilities, the coalition includes local authorities (Lake District National Park Authority and Westmorland and Furness Council), local partners (Love Windermere), environmental campaigners (Save Windermere), and regulators (the Environment Agency).

Integrated Water Management Planning in Greater Manchester: United Utilities is working in partnership with the Greater Manchester Combined Authority, the Environment Agency and local authorities to develop a long-term, integrated approach to water, wastewater, drainage and flood resilience. The programme brings together organisations responsible for different parts of the water system to identify joined-up, place-based solutions that support growth, climate adaptation and environmental improvement.

Sustainable Drainage, Liverpool City Region: United Utilities and local partners have launched a £30 million programme to use sustainable drainage and nature-based solutions to slow, store and absorb rainfall before it enters the sewer network. The approach aims to reduce flood risk, improve water quality, create greener public spaces and help communities adapt to increasingly extreme weather driven by climate change.