The UK government has announced plans for eight new regional water councils across England, intended to give communities a stronger voice over how water companies invest in their areas. The Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs said the councils would bring local leaders, customers and businesses together to set regional priorities for spending on water and flood infrastructure.

The announcement, published on 5 November 2026, said decisions about the water system are currently taken nationally even though communities face different challenges, citing sewage discharge affecting tourism at Lake Windermere and drought-related constraints on growth in Cambridge. Mayors would also receive new powers through a strengthened Water Bill to hold water companies to account. Local leaders have been asked to submit proposals on running the new bodies by the end of the year, after which each council will draw up a plan on regional pressures, choices and investment.

Environment Secretary Dame Angela Eagle said the public should be at the heart of decision-making. The government said further details would come in a 10-year plan to be published later this year.