Last week Peers were joined by experts from the water sector for a briefing on the drivers of water pollution, the wider regulatory landscape and how measures proposed in the Water (Special Measures) Bill, could be improved.
Whilst recognising that the Bill is part of a broader process to address water pollution and regulatory failures through a government review, contributors outlined a number of proposals to strengthen provisions in the Bill.
Peers heard that more can be done to deliver nature-based solutions rather than prioritising ‘hard engineering’ solutions. Speakers at the session also suggested a clear environmental duty for Ofwat is needed, that there should be a duty to implement pollution incident reduction plans, and that all fines paid by water companies should be ringfenced in the Water Restoration Fund to be used for nature and water recovery, rather than going into general Treasury coffers.
Peers heard that it was important to understand more about the detail and terms of the Government’s wider water review and that it will need to examine all of the different pressures on the water environment (such as agriculture, road run off, housing development and veterinary medicine).
Contributors said that there have been serious regulatory failures in the sector, with a lack of regulatory implementation and a self-monitoring regime that isn’t working. This includes a need for compliance with and implementation of existing legislation – such as the Water Framework Directive - and the Secretary of State could deliver a revised Strategic Policy Statement to give clearer guidance to Ofwat. It was also suggested that Ofwat’s growth duty had led to an imbalance between delivering economic growth, keeping bills for consumers down and environmental considerations.
Peers were joined by representatives from Wildlife and Countryside Link, the Office for Environmental Protection and Wildfish.
The Second Reading of the Water (Special Measures) Bill too place in the House of Lords on the 09 October 2024
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