MPs debate public ownership of water companiesThe future of the private companies that run England's water industry has been debated in Westmins...

MPs debate public ownership of water companies
The future of the private companies that run England's water industry has been debated in Westminster after more than 200,000 people signed a petition calling for change.

Created by Oxfordshire-based Ash Smith, from Windrush Against Sewage Pollution, the e-petition called for a national referendum on whether the water industry should be returned to public ownership.

The debate did not have the power to grant a referendum, but did give MPs the opportunity to put forward their opinions on the current ownership model.

The water minister said the government was "bringing in tougher regulation, stronger enforcement and greater accountability".

Online e-petitions can be used as a call for action from the government.

Once published, it stays open for six months with Parliament considering a discussion on the petition once it has reached 100,000 signatures.

The water petition, debated on Monday, reached this figure within a month of being published.

It described water as a "basic human necessity" and called for "the people to decide who owns and controls it".