Environmental regulation and the delivery of a reliable and safe water must be the first priorities of water companies and regulators. Effective regulation, strongly prioritised towards environmental and customer targets, is needed to make these a core part of the culture amongst water companies; it will also need to cover all actors that have the potential to harm water resources. It is important for regulations to be comprehensive and predictable to close any gaps that can allow pollution, and to ensure a stable investing environment. This should not just be about protection, but also about encouraging water companies, as major landowners, to actively improve the environment. (Conclusion, Paragraph 52) 50