Recommendation P2-39: Establish water undertaker communication protocols
From Grenfell Tower Inquiry: Phase 2 Report, published 4 September 2024.
Recommendation
We therefore recommend that all fire and rescue services establish and periodically review an agreed protocol with the statutory water undertakers in their areas to enable effective communication between them in relation to the supply of water for firefighting purposes. (113.63)
In brief (written by this site)
The Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government reported in September 2026 that the recommendation was complete and had been fully discharged (Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government, Sep 2026). In February 2026, the department explained that the National Fire Chiefs Council had surveyed fire and rescue services, engaged with Ofwat, and updated national guidance on water provision for firefighting alongside Water UK (Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government, Feb 2026). The Council had accepted the recommendation on behalf of all services in February 2025 (National Fire Chiefs Council response, Feb 2025).
Sources
AI-generated summary of the record on this page, checked by a second model and automatic checks, 26 Sep 2026. The record below is the sources' own words.
About this summary
This recommendation applies across many organisations. The record reflects central policy activity; adoption in individual organisations may vary.
Government response
The National Fire Chiefs Council (NFCC) accepts this recommendation on behalf of all fire and rescue services. NFCC and fire service lead officers for water are discussing with water undertakers how to strengthen existing arrangements and with Ofwat to identify potential improvements to the interactions between services and water undertakers. The NFCC will produce a delivery plan by the end of April 2025 to set out what actions it will take as a result.
How this response relates to the recommendation
Site note: This is the government's response to the Phase 2 report (CP 1248, published 26 February 2025). It prints each recommendation and then the response to it. Where the recommendation is addressed to a body outside government, the response prints that body's own acceptance (the Architects Registration Board and RIBA, HMICFRS, London Fire Brigade, the National Fire Chiefs Council, the British Standards Institution, the National Police Chiefs' Council), and the row is filed under that body.
Delivery
Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government says completed (10 September 2026)
This recommendation is now complete and has been fully discharged.
Site note: This is the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government's progress report of September 2026 on the Grenfell Tower Inquiry recommendations. Where the passage describes work by another body, such as the National Fire Chiefs Council, London Fire Brigade, fire and rescue services, the British Standards Institution or the Cabinet Office, it is the Ministry's account of that body's progress, and the row is filed under the Ministry.
Earlier statement on delivery (1)
Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (25 February 2026)
The National Fire Chiefs Council (NFCC)
The National Fire Chiefs Council (NFCC) began developing an action and delivery plan to address the recommendations. This work was informed by a survey of fire and rescue services to understand current arrangements and identify where further support might be needed. The plan was subsequently shared with key stakeholders, including MHCLG.
We published in September 2025 that the NFCC had worked with Water UK to update the National Guidance on the Provision of Water for Firefighting, with all proposed changes accepted and published. The NFCC also shared survey findings with Ofwat, submitted evidence to inquiries on water sector reform, and raised fire and rescue service concerns through the Environment Agency’s consultation.
By the end of 2025, further discussions had taken place on the need for a more comprehensive review of the guidance, particularly around accessibility and readability. The NFCC continued engagement with Ofwat and other stakeholders, including responding to consultations and planning further work following the Water Reform White Paper.
The recommendation is now complete and has been fully discharged.
The London Fire Brigade (LFB)
Engagement with water companies increased following the London Fire Commissioner’s correspondence in early 2025. Discussions were held with Thames Water, Affinity Water, and Essex & Suffolk Water, with ongoing collaboration to support operational arrangements.
Water companies were also involved in reviewing and contributing to London Fire Brigade’s (LFB) training, and data provided by Affinity Water and Thames Water is being used through LFB systems to help operational teams identify water supply zones. A revised National Guidance Document on water provision for firefighting was published, setting out clearer protocols and training expectations.
Later in the year, this engagement continued with water undertakers across the London area, working alongside other fire and rescue services and the National Fire Chiefs Council. Work focused on standardising protocols, sharing information, and embedding best practice to support continuous improvement.
The use of shared data tools remains in place, and the revised national guidance continues to underpin stronger operational and training arrangements between LFB and water companies.
Site note: This is the annex of the government's Phase 2 annual report (CP 1512, published 25 February 2026) as GOV.UK publishes it, one page per theme: the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government's account. Where the passage describes work by another body, such as the National Fire Chiefs Council, London Fire Brigade, the British Standards Institution, the Health and Safety Executive or the Cabinet Office, it is the report's account of that body's progress, and the row is filed under the Ministry. The status is what the passage says: completed only where it says the recommendation is complete or closed.
Responsible bodies
Themes and tags
Who has spoken
- National Fire Chiefs Council
Response - Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government
Delivery statement