Our Regulation

The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) sets the overall and sewerage policy framework in England. On 4 June 2014 Defra published the Thames Tideway Tunnel Project Specification Notice, which required Thames Water to put the project out to tender for it to be delivered by an Infrastructure Provider, as well as the Thames Tideway Tunnel Preparatory Work Notice, which requires Thames Water to carry out certain works. Defra has also provided contingent financial support to Tideway pursuant to Section 154B of the Water Industry Act 1991.

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Tideway operates under a Licence granted by Ofwat, the economic regulator of the water sector in England and Wales. Ofwat regulates 32 companies in the water and sewerage sector, including Tideway. Amongst other things, Tideway’s licence sets out its principal duties and the building blocks of Tideway’s allowed revenue. In addition to the licence, Tideway is also subject to Ofwat guidance and other requirements. Tideway will report annually to help its stakeholders understand how it is performing.

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The Environmental Agency is the environmental regulator of the water and sewerage sector. They are the principal adviser to the government on the environment, and the leading public body protecting
and improving the environment of England and Wales. 

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