Water Quality in Rivers
Environmental Audit Committee
Closed
Inquiry
The Environmental Audit Committee (EAC) is holding an inquiry into water quality in rivers. The EAC has previously inquired into nitrate pollution so this inquiry intends to focus on the water industry and urban diffuse pollution. For more information about this inquiry read the call for evidence . Read the …
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51
Recommendations
31
Conclusions
1
Report
6
Oral sessions
15
Letters
6
Events
Activity timeline 23 events
23 Oct
2023
2023
22 Sep
2022
2022
16 May
2022
2022
13 Jan
2022
2022
Report published
6 Jan
2022
2022
6 Jan
2022
2022
25 Nov
2021
2021
25 Nov
2021
2021
4 Nov
2021
2021
4 Nov
2021
2021
26 Oct
2021
2021
Oral evidence sessions 6 sessions
13 Oct 2021
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Heidi Mottram CBE · Northumbrian Water
Ian McAulay · Southern Water
Liv Garfield · Severn Trent Water
Sarah Bentley · Thames Water
Susan Davy · South West Water
15 Sep 2021
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Panel 1; Panel 2
Kirstin Green · Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
Rebecca Pow · Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
Richard Bramley · National Farmers Union (NFU)
Simon Gallagher · Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government
Susan Twining · CLA (Country Land and Business Association)
23 Jun 2021
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Panel 1
David Black · Ofwat
Nick Harris · National Highways
Sir James Bevan · Environment Agency
26 May 2021
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Panel 1; Panel 2
Alastair Chisholm · Chartered Institution of Water and Environmental Management
Bronwyn Buntine · Kent Council
Daniel Johns · Anglian Water Services Ltd
Ian Titherington · Cardiff Council
Jo Bradley · Stormwater Shepherds
Lila Thompson · British Water
21 Apr 2021
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Panel 1; Panel 2
Feargal Sharkey · Amwell Magna Fishery
Jane Nickerson · Swim England
Mr Ben Seal · British Canoeing
Pete Lloyd · Environment Agency
Professor Peter Hammond · University College London (UCL)
Professor Rebecca Malby · Ilkley Clean River Group
10 Mar 2021
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Panel 1; Panel 2
Amy Slack · Surfers against Sewage
Dr Michelle Jackson · Oxford University
Dr Rob Collins · The Rivers Trust
Guy Linley-Adams · Salmon and Trout Conservation
Professor Nigel Watson · Lancaster University
Professor Steve Ormerod · Cardiff University
Reports 1 report · click to expand
| Title | HC No. | Published | Items | Response |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fourth Report - Water quality in rivers | HC 74 | 13 Jan 2022 | 82 | Responded |
Recommendations & Conclusions
22 results
5
Recommendation
Accepted
Fourth Report - Water quality in r…
We recommend that the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs commission, in...
We recommend that the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs commission, in conjunction with the devolved administrations, a UK-wide survey of emerging pollutants and microplastic pollution of river environments, including an assessment of their potential impact on …
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Government Response
The government states they recognise the threat of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) and are already working to expand their evidence base and understanding via the £19m Pathogen Surveillance in Agriculture, Food and the Environment project and engagement with the water companies’ Chemicals Investigation Programme.
6
Conclusion
Accepted
Fourth Report - Water quality in r…
Wild salmon are iconic and important species.
Wild salmon are iconic and important species. It should ring alarm bells that wild salmon are classed as ‘at risk’ or ‘probably at risk’ in almost every river in England they traverse. Protecting rivers where important species such as the …
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Government Response
The government states that anyone can apply for a new bathing water designation and the Government then considers those applications, and that it encourages applications annually and is actively exploring ways to make the application process more accessible.
9
Conclusion
Accepted
Fourth Report - Water quality in r…
Every community in the country should have access to waters—whether coastal or inland—that are safe...
Every community in the country should have access to waters—whether coastal or inland—that are safe for people to swim in without running the risk of falling ill. Regulators and water companies have made a great deal of progress since the …
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Government Response
The government outlines ongoing and planned actions through environmental land management schemes and an expanded Catchment Sensitive Farming partnership to incentivise farmers to reduce agricultural pollution and improve water quality, particularly in areas draining into bathing waters.
14
Conclusion
Accepted
Fourth Report - Water quality in r…
Intensive livestock and poultry farming appears to be putting enormous pressure on particular catchments, such...
Intensive livestock and poultry farming appears to be putting enormous pressure on particular catchments, such as those feeding the river Wye running through Wales and the south-west Midlands. The number of chickens being reared there appears Water quality in rivers …
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Government Response
The Government is committed, in the Agricultural Transition Plan, to make funding available for farmers to improve their slurry infrastructure (including storage and covers) from autumn 2022. Funding is currently offered for separation, scraping and precision-spreading techniques, enabling farmers to start making upgrades and improvements to their slurry systems.
15
Recommendation
Accepted
Fourth Report - Water quality in r…
Development of catchment sensitive farming will require calculations of the overall nitrogen and phosphorous load...
Development of catchment sensitive farming will require calculations of the overall nitrogen and phosphorous load for farmland and river catchments. We therefore recommend that DEFRA commission a periodic (five yearly) appraisal of catchment-wide nutrient flows across each of the major …
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Government Response
The government states that work is already underway to improve understanding of emerging risks of sewage, citing microplastics studies and the Chemical Investigations Programme, and that they are working with the Environment Agency on policies for safe and sustainable sludge use.
22
Conclusion
Accepted
Fourth Report - Water quality in r…
The public are rightly shocked when they discover that untreated or partially treated sewage is...
The public are rightly shocked when they discover that untreated or partially treated sewage is regularly dumped into rivers and streams in England. We have heard that the rainwater washing into storm sewers can contain microplastics, industrial chemicals and hydrocarbons. …
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Government Response
The Environment Agency already records storm overflows operating in dry weather as pollution incidents.
23
Conclusion
Accepted
Fourth Report - Water quality in r…
We therefore found the claim made by the chief executive of Severn Trent that its...
We therefore found the claim made by the chief executive of Severn Trent that its sewer overflow discharges were ‘pretty much already rainwater’ to be disingenuous. As water companies do not routinely test the quality of the discharges from storm …
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Government Response
The government agrees and states that the Environment Agency is reviewing its practices in the auditing of self-monitoring of wastewater treatment works by water companies through the Improving Water Company Performance Taskforce.
39
Recommendation
Accepted
Fourth Report - Water quality in r…
We recommend that the Environment Agency urgently review its practices in auditing the self-monitoring of...
We recommend that the Environment Agency urgently review its practices in auditing the self-monitoring of wastewater treatment works by water companies. The Agency should also review its approach to enforcement and seek to reduce the interval between detection of permit …
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Government Response
The government states that the National Planning Policy Framework already makes clear that major developments should incorporate sustainable drainage systems and that they will ensure that the Planning Practice Guidance reflects the position on the use of porous or permeable surfaces and prior approval requirement in relation to flood risk where relevant.
43
Conclusion
Accepted
Fourth Report - Water quality in r…
Ofwat’s regulatory approach to date appears to have placed insufficient emphasis on facilitating the investment...
Ofwat’s regulatory approach to date appears to have placed insufficient emphasis on facilitating the investment necessary to ensure that the sewerage system in England is fit for the challenges of the 21st century, and able to cope with housing growth …
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Government Response
Government supports the use of natural capital in decision making and accepts that Ofwat should take natural capital into account in economic decision making, noting that it is already part of water company planning processes.
48
Recommendation
Accepted
Fourth Report - Water quality in r…
There is nevertheless no reason not to seek rapid and sustained action towards achieving the...
There is nevertheless no reason not to seek rapid and sustained action towards achieving the Act’s requirement for progressive reductions in discharges, through incorporating capital projects into a whole-systems approach which seeks to reduce the overall pressures being placed on …
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Government Response
Defra has maintained Grant-in-Aid funding for catchment partnerships and will continue to evaluate funding sources to enable coordination of all stakeholders across river catchments. The government highlights existing funding for catchment partnerships and their success in attracting additional funding.
49
Conclusion
Accepted
Fourth Report - Water quality in r…
We welcome the duty which the Environment Act 2021 places on water companies in England...
We welcome the duty which the Environment Act 2021 places on water companies in England to secure a progressive reduction in the adverse impact of discharges from their storm overflows. This is a positive first step towards cleaning up the …
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Government Response
The Government states that much of the detailed information and tools required are already available nationally and at a catchment level, and that they are working with Local Planning Authorities to help them calculate nutrient budgets and identify nutrient mitigation.
50
Recommendation
Accepted
Fourth Report - Water quality in r…
We recommend that Ministers and the Environment Agency should set challenging improvement targets and timetables...
We recommend that Ministers and the Environment Agency should set challenging improvement targets and timetables for this progressive reduction to inform the drainage and sewage management plans to be drawn up by each water company. The first round of these …
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Government Response
The Government states that it has already committed to prioritize water quality in the new environmental land management schemes, citing the Secretary of State's statement in December 2021 and ongoing work with Natural England and the Environment Agency.
53
Conclusion
Accepted
Fourth Report - Water quality in r…
Wet wipes and other ‘unflushables’ are a major constituent of sewer blockages.
Wet wipes and other ‘unflushables’ are a major constituent of sewer blockages. Many householders are unaware that flushing anything other than the ‘3Ps’ (‘pee, poo and paper’) risks blocking sewers and could lead to a pollution incident. Better product labelling, …
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Government Response
The government indicates this is already being addressed through the Guiding Principles for Drainage and Wastewater Management Plans, published in February 2022, which require water companies to work collaboratively with other Risk Management Authorities in developing solutions to drainage issues.
54
Recommendation
Accepted
Fourth Report - Water quality in r…
The use of plastic in single use sanitary products should be prohibited, with exemptions only...
The use of plastic in single use sanitary products should be prohibited, with exemptions only provided for medical requirements. We urge the Government to adopt the measures outlined in the Plastics (Wet Wipes) Bill to prohibit the manufacture and sale …
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Government Response
The government claims to already support the use of blue green infrastructure, such as sustainable drainage systems and grey water recycling, and cites existing flood defence schemes and funding for nature-based solutions.
55
Recommendation
Accepted
Fourth Report - Water quality in r…
Tyre, motor vehicle and fashion manufacturers, among many others, must take greater responsibility for the...
Tyre, motor vehicle and fashion manufacturers, among many others, must take greater responsibility for the contribution their products make to microplastic pollution in waterways. We recommend that Ministers examine how the proposed Extended Producer Responsibility scheme for tyre manufacturers could …
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Government Response
The government claims Ofwat encourages companies to put forward retrofit proposals for SuDS and is looking at how they can provide incentives for SuDS to encourage the extra benefits that they provide.
63
Recommendation
Accepted
Fourth Report - Water quality in r…
We further recommend that the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities update its planning...
We further recommend that the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities update its planning practice guidance on sustainable drainage to ensure that sustainable drainage schemes are considered in all developments, including improvements under permitted development rights, and that it …
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Government Response
The National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) already makes clear that major developments should incorporate sustainable drainage systems, unless there is clear evidence that this would be inappropriate.
71
Recommendation
Accepted
Fourth Report - Water quality in r…
Ofwat’s economic regulation of the sector through previous price reviews does not appear to have...
Ofwat’s economic regulation of the sector through previous price reviews does not appear to have given sufficient priority to the preservation of natural capital. We recommend that, when it publishes its review methodology in 2022, Ofwat set out how it …
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Government Response
Ofwat agrees to fully reflect a natural capital approach in PR24, outlining how it will strive to integrate it into WINEP proposals and introduce other metrics like biodiversity performance commitments, working with the Environment Agency and Defra.
72
Conclusion
Accepted
Fourth Report - Water quality in r…
Delivering the step change in action on water quality that is demanded will require DEFRA...
Delivering the step change in action on water quality that is demanded will require DEFRA to set a strong strategic direction and clear targets. Regulators must be empowered and funded adequately to implement and enforce the relevant provisions of the …
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Government Response
Defra has increased the Environment Agency's budget for inspections and enforcement of the farming sector and water companies, inspections and increased funding to enable the Environment Agency to modernise and digitise their water quality monitoring system.
77
Recommendation
Accepted
Fourth Report - Water quality in r…
Adequate support needs to be made available for farmers to achieve progressive reductions in those...
Adequate support needs to be made available for farmers to achieve progressive reductions in those nutrient inputs which risk negatively affecting water quality in a catchment, or to mitigate the risk. We recommend that DEFRA examine how the Environmental Land …
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Government Response
The Government agrees and has committed to prioritise water quality in the delivery of the new environmental land management schemes, for example, the Sustainable Farming Incentive will focus on actions to reduce nutrient leaching and protect soils.
80
Recommendation
Accepted
Fourth Report - Water quality in r…
It is important that communities who engage in citizen science receive a meaningful response to...
It is important that communities who engage in citizen science receive a meaningful response to their work. We recommend that the Government consider whether a requirement should be placed on water companies to respond to citizen science research undertaken by …
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Government Response
The government states that its Guiding Principles for Drainage and Wastewater Management Plans, published in February 2022, already require water companies to work collaboratively with other Risk Management Authorities in developing solutions to drainage issues.
81
Conclusion
Accepted
Fourth Report - Water quality in r…
Drainage and sewerage management plans, as currently conceived, appear to be the preserve of the...
Drainage and sewerage management plans, as currently conceived, appear to be the preserve of the water industry. For these plans to be successful they must be designed so as to ensure active and continued engagement with the full range of …
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Government Response
The government reviewed and made changes to partnership funding rules for flood grant in aid in 2020, promoting more nature-based solutions and surface water schemes such as sustainable drainage systems. Through drainage and wastewater management plans they expect sewerage companies to fully assess wastewater network capacity and develop collaborative solutions with local authorities and other bodies to manage the challenges of a changing climate and extreme weather events.
82
Recommendation
Accepted
Fourth Report - Water quality in r…
Retrofitting urban areas with sustainable drainage systems can deliver multiple benefits in terms of nature...
Retrofitting urban areas with sustainable drainage systems can deliver multiple benefits in terms of nature recovery, air quality and flooding prevention. We recommend that Ministers review and, where appropriate, revise the criteria for the award of funds intended for flooding …
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Government Response
The government states it already reviewed and made changes to partnership funding rules for flood grant in aid, promoting nature-based solutions and surface water schemes. They expect sewerage companies to assess wastewater network capacity and develop collaborative solutions with local authorities to manage climate change and extreme weather events, including retrofitting sustainable drainage systems where appropriate.
Government Response AI assessment · 82 of 51 classified
Accepted
22
Acknowledged
29
Deferred
11
Rejected
3
Total
51 recs + 31 conclusions
Correspondence 15 letters
23 Oct 2023
To committee
Letter from the Chief Executive of Ofwat regarding their Water Company Performance Report 2022-23, dated 26 September
Parliament page
22 Sep 2022
To committee
Letter from the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, relating to the Storm Overflows Discharge Reduction Plan, dated 26 August 2022
Parliament page
6 Jan 2022
To committee
Letter from the Leader of Chichester District Council, relating to the Water Quality in Rivers inquiry, dated 10 December 2021
Parliament page
6 Jan 2022
To committee
Letter from National Highways, relating to the Water Quality in Rivers inquiry, dated 15 December 2021
Parliament page
25 Nov 2021
To committee
Letter from the Interim Chief Executive of Ofwat, relating to the Water quality in rivers inquiry, dated 18 November 2021
Parliament page
25 Nov 2021
To committee
Letter from the Wastewater Director of Northumbrian Water Limited, relating to the Water quality in rivers inquiry, dated 19 November 2021
Parliament page
4 Nov 2021
To committee
Letter from the Northumbrian Water Chief Executive, relating to the 13 October Water quality in rivers evidence session, dated 22 October 2021
Parliament page
4 Nov 2021
To committee
Letter from the Severn Trent Plc Chief Executive, relating to the 13 October Water quality in rivers evidence session, dated 18 October 2021
Parliament page
26 Oct 2021
To committee
Letter from the Chair to the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, concerning DEFRA's consultation on the draft Strategic Priority Statement for Ofwat, dated 21 October 2021
Parliament page
14 Oct 2021
To committee
Letter from the Leader of Herefordshire Council, concerning water quality in rivers, dated 5 October 2021
Parliament page
16 Sep 2021
To committee
Letter from the Minister of State for Housing, relating to the Water quality in rivers inquiry, dated 7 September 2021
Parliament page
9 Sep 2021
To committee
Letter from the Environment Agency Chief Executive, relating to the Water quality in rivers inquiry, dated 1 September 2021
Parliament page
9 Sep 2021
To committee
Letter from the Acting CEO of Highways England, relating to the Water quality in rivers inquiry, dated 13 August 2021
Parliament page
9 Sep 2021
To committee
Letter from the Interim Chief Executive of Ofwat, relating to the Water quality in rivers inquiry, dated 1 September 2021
Parliament page
21 Jul 2021
To committee
Letter from the Acting CEO of Highways England, relating to the Water quality in rivers inquiry, dated 12 July
Parliament page