Published by Michele Maatouk on 15th January 2026
(Sharecast News) - South East Water could lose its operating licence after residents across Kent and Sussex faced up to a week without water. The environment secretary, Emma Reynolds, has called for the regulator to review the company's operating licence. If it were to lose it, the company would fall into a special administration regime until a new buyer was found. If the regulator, Ofwat, decides the company has breached its licence but decides not to revoke it, penalties include a fine of 10% of the company's annual turnover. Ofwat in 2024 decided Thames Water was in breach of its licence but decided to avoid forcing it into special measures and instead insisted on a turnaround plan. - Guardian