A new proposal currently under consideration suggests shifting some regulatory authority over water companies to regional mayoral offices. The plan involves the creation of nine distinct regional bodies, which would be responsible for long-term infrastructure planning, setting service objectives, and monitoring the performance of water providers.

Proponents of the plan argue that localizing oversight could lead to more direct accountability, as mayors would be better positioned to address regional water issues compared to centralized national regulators. By giving local leaders the power to set specific objectives, the government hopes to improve the responsiveness of water companies to the needs of their specific service areas.

While the proposal is framed as a way to improve utility management, it remains in the early stages of development. There is currently no consensus on how these regional bodies would interact with existing national regulators like Ofwat, or whether mayors would have the necessary technical resources to effectively oversee complex utility operations. The move follows increasing public and political pressure regarding water quality and infrastructure investment, though the specific mechanisms for how these powers would be exercised remain subject to further government review.