Like all UK water companies, we're regulated by several Government bodies which monitor and compare our performance each year.
We work closely with all our regulators, sharing our progress and our plans, to make sure we meet stringent UK and European legislation.
Each of our regulators below oversees different aspects of South East Water, how we operate and our drinking water supply service.
Ofwat
Ofwat is the economic regulator of the water sector, whose role is to protect the interests of consumers, including agreeing the prices that can be charged by water companies. Ofwat also scrutinises the services provided to customers to ensure that companies meet the conditions of their licences.
Defra
Defra (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs) deals with all aspects of policy relating to the water industry and we operate under a licence granted by the Secretary of State. It also approves water companies’ 25 year Water Resources Management Plans.
DWI
The Drinking Water Inspectorate (DWI) is the independent organisation that ensures the legal standards for drinking water quality are met, and oversees the quality of tap water, making sure water is safe to drink when it reaches your home.
Natural England
Natural England is responsible for the protection of designated sites for nature conservation, helping to protect England’s nature and landscapes for people to enjoy and for the services they provide.
www.gov.uk/government/organisations/natural-england(opens in a new tab)
Environment Agency
The Environment Agency is responsible for regulating how much water we can abstract from the environment, and protecting and improving the quality of rivers,estuaries and coastal waters. It is also responsible for pollution control, flood defence and fisheries.
https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/environment-agency(opens in a new tab)
Consumer Council for Water(opens in a new tab)(CCW) is not a regulator, but rather an independent consumer body that represents water consumers in England and Wales.