CCW statement on Green Paper: Shaping the Future of Water Governance in Wales

Proposals to reshape the water sector in Wales can be the catalyst to restore public confidence in water companies, according to the Consumer Council for Water (CCW).

CCW has joined partners from across the water sector and beyond in marking the official launch of the Welsh Government’s Green Paper – Shaping the Future of Water Governance in Wales.

The consultation paper sets out a series of proposals to improve the way water companies in Wales are regulated, invest in services for customers and the environment and are held to account.

Responding the the Green Paper publication, Rhodri Williams, Wales Board Member at the Consumer Council for Water (CCW), said:

Many people in Wales are impatient for change and the Green Paper can be the catalyst to restore public trust and confidence in the water sector. Fewer than half of consumers in Wales are satisfied with their water company’s efforts to protect the environment, so we’re encouraged to see proposals to increase transparency around environmental performance. People are already feeling the pain in their pocket through higher water bills and they need to see evidence their money is making a difference to the things they care about.

We’re also really pleased to see a commitment to improve redress for customers that are let down by their water company. Over the past year CCW has seen more than a 50% rise in customers turning to us for help resolving complaints about their water company and it’s vital they receive even more robust, mandatory protection.

Transforming the water sector is possible but regulatory reform must come hand-in-hand with changes to the culture and accountability of water companies.

Meddai Rhodri Williams, Aelod o Fwrdd Cymru y Cyngor Defnyddwyr Dŵr (CCW):

Mae llawer o bobl yng Nghymru yn hen barod am newid, a gall y Papur Gwyrdd fod yn gyfrwng i adfer ymddiriedaeth a hyder y cyhoedd yn y sector dŵr. Ychydig llai na hanner y defnyddwyr yng Nghymru sy’n fodlon ag ymdrechion eu cwmni dŵr i warchod yr amgylchedd, felly mae’n galondid gweld cynigion a fydd yn cynyddu tryloywder ar gyfer perfformiad amgylcheddol. Mae pobl eisoes wedi bod yn talu’r pris yn sgil y biliau dŵr uwch – nawr mae angen iddyn nhw weld tystiolaeth bod eu harian yn cael effaith go iawn ar y pethau maen nhw’n poeni amdanynt.

Hefyd, rydyn ni’n hynod falch o weld ymrwymiad i wella cyfiawnder i’r cwsmeriaid hynny sy’n cael eu gadael i lawr gan eu cwmni dŵr. Yn y flwyddyn ddiwethaf mae CCW wedi gweld cynnydd mwy na 50% yn y cwsmeriaid sy’n troi atom am gymorth i ddatrys cwynion am eu cwmni dŵr, ac mae’n hanfodol bod ganddyn nhw amddiffyniad gorfodol sydd hyd yn oed yn fwy cadarn.

Mae trawsnewid y sector dŵr yn bosibl, ond rhaid i ddiwygiadau rheoliadol ddod law yn llaw â newid yn niwylliant ac atebolrwydd y cwmnïau dŵr.