The deadline for applications to the DWI – one of three regulators in water sector, alongside Ofwat and the Environment Agency – is noon on Wednesday 25 March.
The job advertisement states: “Candidates will need to command the confidence of stakeholders including the water industry, other regulators and Ministers.
“They will have professional credibility in a relevant technical discipline and will, ideally, bring knowledge of water supply and drinking water quality.”
Colbourne, who took up the role in 2003 and has served three terms in office, is a highly respected scientist who has not been afraid to court controversy when she deemed it necessary. In an interview with Utility Week in December, Colbourne said that opening up the retail market “for business customers creates “a lot of risk” for water supplies and consumers.
A spokesperson from the DWI said there will be an “announcement in due course” on the new chief inspector.