<p>Companies are being held to strict requirements by the regulators, demanding significantly higher spend on environmental enhancement than in the previous price review.</p><p> </p><p>On 11 July, the Secretary of State met with water company bosses to set out our expectations for the sector, just six days after my Cabinet appointment. Alongside this, this Government announced a series of <a href="https://www.gov.uk/government/news/government-announces-first-steps-to-reform-water-sector" target="_blank">initial steps</a> towards ending the crisis in the water sector.</p><p> </p><p>The Water (Special Measures) Bill will give Ofwat further powers to hold water companies to account where they do not deliver for customers and the environment.</p><p>This Bill is just the start of the fundamental and much broader transformation that this Government will lead for the water industry.</p><p> </p><p>The Government will launch a review to shape further legislation that will fundamentally transform how our water system works and clean up our rivers, lakes and seas for good.</p>