# Water in brief — Thursday 5 November 2026

> Eight regional water councils announced for England, Scottish Water's outputs slip, social tariff numbers jump, and Thames Water marks 100 days in drought.

Published Thursday, 5 November 2026 by The Water Wire (The Current). Canonical: https://waterwire.co.uk/brief/2026-11-05

## 1. Eight regional water councils to give communities a say over billions of investment

Topic: Regulation & policy

Councils of up to 15 members will set regional priorities that feed into water planning, and mayors get new powers in the Water Bill. Proposals for how they run are due by the end of the year.

Full story: https://waterwire.co.uk/story/eight-regional-water-councils-announced

Original source: [GOV.UK](https://www.gov.uk/government/news/communities-to-get-a-stronger-say-over-billions-of-pounds-of-water-investment)

## 2. Scottish Water: spending on track, outputs slipping

Topic: Investment & infrastructure

WICS found 32 of 82 output categories behind forecast and the company off track on its sewage discharge and carbon commitments.

Full story: https://waterwire.co.uk/story/wics-scottish-water-investment-slippage

Original source: [Water Magazine](https://www.watermagazine.co.uk/2026/11/05/wics-flags-slippage-in-scottish-water-investment-and-environmental-commitments/)

## 3. 380,000 more households on water social tariffs

Topic: Company & finance

About 2.3 million customers were helped in 2025-26, up 19%. CCW wants one national tariff to end the 'postcode lottery'.

Full story: https://waterwire.co.uk/story/ccw-social-tariffs-380000-more-households

Original source: [WaterBriefing](https://waterbriefing.org/home/water-issues/item/26320-ccw-says-380000-more-households-turn-to-social-tariffs-to-ease-water-bill-pressures)

## 4. Thames Water marks 100 days in drought

Topic: Environment & performance

London reservoirs are at 56% against a normal 77%. The hosepipe ban stays, and leak repairs are running 20% above normal.

Full story: https://waterwire.co.uk/story/thames-water-100-days-of-drought

Original source: [New Civil Engineer](https://newcivilengineer.com/latest/thames-water-records-100-days-of-drought-as-reservoir-levels-remain-below-average-05-11-2026)

## 5. NI Water switches on £2.3m of hydro turbines

Topic: Investment & infrastructure

Three sites will generate about 900 MWh a year from water already moving through the network.

Full story: https://waterwire.co.uk/story/ni-water-hydro-turbines

Original source: [Water Magazine](https://www.watermagazine.co.uk/2026/11/05/2-3m-hydro-investment-powers-greener-future-for-ni-water/)