Water companies have been asked by the information watchdog to proactively release data on the sewage they discharge into waterways. The UK information commissioner John Edwards wrote to the utility firms in England, Wales and Northern Ireland asking them to publish information on the number and duration of sewage outflows every month, instead of waiting for members of the public to request information. At present, data is often requested through environmental information regulations.
Mr Edwards also said proactive and timely publication of the information would be more cost-effective for the firms and easier than replying to individual requests. Read more:Compensation for boil notices among new rules announcedWater bills: Thames closer to end game Water regulator Ofwat also agreed with the ICO's calls to restore trust. 'One of the pre-requisites for building public trust is a culture of openness,' said Ofwat chief executive David Black.