Water utility news covering municipal water systems, infrastructure investment, drought response, rates, and drinking water quality.
A consumer council report found South East Water's biggest failure during winter outages was inadequate communication, with fewer than one in 10 customers satisfied. The crises affected 24,000 in Tunbridge Wells and 69,000 in January 2026, and half of vulnerable customers did not receive expected support.
The Corpus Christi City Council voted 7-2 to postpone a decision on reviving a desalination plant until September 1, 2026, following a 15-hour meeting. Fitch downgraded the city's water bond rating from AA- to A- due to delays in key water supply projects.
This commentary argues that Cape Town's free basic water policy is inadequate and anti-poor, highlighting systemic racism and sexism. It contends that the 15,000 liters per month is insufficient for large households, and that the city's debt collection practices, such as deducting water arrears from prepaid electricity, further punish poor communities.
The Corpus Christi City Council will discuss reviving the Inner Harbor Desalination Project, rejected nine months ago. The plant would produce 30 million gallons daily at $978.8 million, 25% cheaper than before. The city faces emergency water restrictions by December 2026.