Mayors to get new powers over water companies in ‘public control’ push

Mayors will get new powers over how water companies are run under new “regional water councils”, the government has announced. The government has said that mayors have been asked to “submit proposals” on how they want the new water councils to be run within the next two months, with plans then drawing out pressures on regional water systems and investment levels needed to improve performances.  According to the government, local leaders will be able to hold private water operators accountable for failures under changes that could lead to radical reforms at beleaguered companies such as Thames Water, which covers 16m customers in London and parts of the South East. Prime Minister Andy Burnham said he wanted to tackle sewage and pollution in rivers, lakes and seas, adding that it was “not right” for decisions to be taken by officials in Whitehall. “For the first time, local people will have a real say over what they need from their water company, whether that is cleaning u