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
11 results
24
Recommendation
Deferred
Fourth Report - Water quality in r…
Independent analysis of publicly available monitoring data, using machine learning techniques, has produced insights into...
Independent analysis of publicly available monitoring data, using machine learning techniques, has produced insights into the performance of the sewerage network which appears to have been beyond the current capacity of the Environment Agency to achieve, let alone water companies. …
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Government Response
The government states that the independent Sentencing Council will consider the recommendation on improving the capacity to handle large volumes of data.
29
Recommendation
Deferred
Fourth Report - Water quality in r…
We recommend that water companies take immediate steps to install volume monitors at all points...
We recommend that water companies take immediate steps to install volume monitors at all points where overflows may discharge from their sewerage networks, so as to provide continuous real-time monitoring of the volume of discharges consistent with the provisions of …
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Government Response
The government states the Government will examine the main options for reducing pressures on existing infrastructure as part of the overall ambition to progressively reduce the harm caused and this will be consulted on in Spring 2022 and will include ambitious targets to reduce storm overflow discharges.
41
Recommendation
Deferred
Fourth Report - Water quality in r…
We recommend that Ofwat examine the scope of its existing powers in respect of water...
We recommend that Ofwat examine the scope of its existing powers in respect of water company remuneration, with a view to limiting the awards of significant annual bonuses to water company senior executives in the event of major or persistent …
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Government Response
The government is undertaking a review of whether to implement Schedule 3 of the Flood and Water Management Act 2010, and states that it can address separate surface water and foul sewers as part of mandatory standards.
42
Conclusion
Deferred
Fourth Report - Water quality in r…
It is clear that there are no quick fixes to decades of under-investment in the...
It is clear that there are no quick fixes to decades of under-investment in the sewerage network in England. Successive administrations, water companies and regulators have grown complacent and have sometimes appeared resigned to maintaining the antiquated practice of dumping …
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Government Response
The government redirects responsibility to the Office for Environmental Protection (OEP), stating that the OEP will make independent decisions about prioritisation of its resources and exercise of its functions, including considering the committee's conclusions.
45
Recommendation
Deferred
Fourth Report - Water quality in r…
We recommend that Ofwat prioritise the long-term investment in wastewater assets as an essential outcome...
We recommend that Ofwat prioritise the long-term investment in wastewater assets as an essential outcome of its price review process. We further recommend that Ofwat incentivise the use of nature-based solutions in wastewater management, including ongoing funding for maintenance and …
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Government Response
Response provided at paragraph 26, which discusses Ofwat's responsibilities.
56
Recommendation
Deferred
Fourth Report - Water quality in r…
Highways authorities at the national and local level must place a greater priority on preventing...
Highways authorities at the national and local level must place a greater priority on preventing pollution from the strategic road network and from major roads maintained by local authorities in England. Solutions are available. These need to be rolled out …
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Government Response
The Department for Transport and National Highways will examine the feasibility of using existing funds in the current road period (2020–2025) to support increased ambition in this area, and the Department for Transport is currently developing the third Road Investment Strategy (2025–2030) which provides an opportunity to set out our performance requirements and the associated funding required, but cannot make a commitment at this time.
58
Recommendation
Deferred
Fourth Report - Water quality in r…
We recommend that National Highways accelerate its programme of installation of improvements to highways drainage...
We recommend that National Highways accelerate its programme of installation of improvements to highways drainage in England, particularly at the 1,326 outfalls and soakaways considered to be high risk, to capture and filter polluting run-off before it enters watercourses and …
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Government Response
The Department for Transport and National Highways agree that a level of increased ambition and delivery in this area should be supported and they will examine the feasibility of using existing funds in the current road period (2020–2025) to support this where possible. The Department for Transport is currently developing the third Road Investment Strategy (2025–2030).
61
Conclusion
Deferred
Fourth Report - Water quality in r…
We welcome the announcement that Ministers are to review whether Schedule 3 to the Flood...
We welcome the announcement that Ministers are to review whether Schedule 3 to the Flood and Water Management Act 2010 is to be implemented in England. Implementation would end the current automatic right to connect to sewerage systems, and mitigate …
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Government Response
The government is conducting a review that covers the points raised, to inform a consultation in due course.
62
Recommendation
Deferred
Fourth Report - Water quality in r…
We recommend that the review consider the optimum arrangements for maintenance and adoption of sustainable...
We recommend that the review consider the optimum arrangements for maintenance and adoption of sustainable drainage systems, and that it should propose an end to the automatic right to connect to the sewer in new developments as soon as possible …
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Government Response
The Government is currently conducting a review which covers these points, to inform a consultation in due course.
64
Recommendation
Deferred
Fourth Report - Water quality in r…
We further recommend that Non-Statutory SuDS Standards should be improved, taking into account the findings...
We further recommend that Non-Statutory SuDS Standards should be improved, taking into account the findings of the DEFRA review, so as to include water quality alongside other wider benefits, and should be made mandatory.
Government Response
The Government is currently undertaking a review of whether to implement Schedule 3 of the Flood and Water management Act 2010, and states that the current non-statutory standards will be reviewed and become mandatory if the Schedule is implemented.
65
Recommendation
Deferred
Fourth Report - Water quality in r…
New housing developments must be used to set the standard for the sustainable sewerage networks...
New housing developments must be used to set the standard for the sustainable sewerage networks required in the 21st century. It is unacceptable for developers to increase the pressure on overloaded combined sewerage systems and not to contribute to improvements. …
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Government Response
The government is undertaking a review of whether to implement Schedule 3 of the Flood and Water Management Act 2010, and states that it can address separate surface water and foul sewers as part of mandatory standards.
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