To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what steps water companies are required to take to ensure that pumping stations for the drainage of low-lying areas are protected against flooding. (303293)

It is for individual water and sewerage companies to decide how best to protect their infrastructure from the effects of flooding. Companies have a duty to provide safe and secure water and sewerage services to their customers.

In its final determinations Ofwat has allowed water companies to invest £414 million on improving the resilience of their water and sewerage services against external hazards such as flooding.