Resetting our water industry can be done with the right approach
A s a young civil servant, I was once sharply corrected for referring to a difficult policy problem as a 'puzzle'. A puzzle, I was told in no uncertain terms, is 'solved' with one completely correct answer. Policy problems, on the other hand, can rarely be solved by single correct answers. Addressing them requires a range of responses, all of which have costs as well as benefits.
I have been reminded of this wise advice repeatedly since I took on the task of leading the independent commission reviewing the troubled water sector in England and Wales seven months ago.
What has become increasingly clear as we have listened to the views — and heard the anger — on all sides of the debate is that there is no simple, single change, no matter how radical, that will deliver the safe, plentiful water and clean water environment that we need now and in the future.
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