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
14 results
3
Conclusion
Not Addressed
Fourth Report - Water quality in r…
Poor monitoring arrangements mean that river users cannot currently make informed decisions about when it...
Poor monitoring arrangements mean that river users cannot currently make informed decisions about when it is safe or not to use rivers. The prevalence of plastic pollution, the presence of persistent chemicals and spread of antimicrobial resistant pathogens in rivers …
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Government Response
The government acknowledges the need for urgent action and highlights existing plans and efforts related to salmon populations and general water quality, but does not specifically address the committee's concerns about poor monitoring arrangements for public safety or the prevalence of specific pollutants for river users.
7
Recommendation
Not Addressed
Fourth Report - Water quality in r…
We have heard disturbing evidence that sewage treatment works and the rivers that they discharge...
We have heard disturbing evidence that sewage treatment works and the rivers that they discharge into are becoming breeding grounds for antimicrobial resistance. There will need to be cross-sector collaboration to reduce the growth of antimicrobial resistance genes in rivers. …
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Government Response
The Government states that it is already working closely with the Environment Agency, the Storm Overflows Taskforce and the water industry on relevant proposals to enable this and ensure accountability, mentioning water company commitments to full event duration monitoring and a duty to monitor water quality upstream and downstream.
11
Recommendation
Not Addressed
Fourth Report - Water quality in r…
Most river users cannot currently make informed decisions about when it is safe or not...
Most river users cannot currently make informed decisions about when it is safe or not to use rivers downstream of storm overflows and wastewater treatment works. We recommend as a matter of urgency that the Environment Agency work with water …
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Government Response
The response discusses modelling and monitoring of the water environment to detect nutrient flows across catchments, as well as concerns about the stalling effect of nutrient neutrality on new housebuilding, which is irrelevant to the recommendation about real-time sewage discharge information.
16
Recommendation
Not Addressed
Fourth Report - Water quality in r…
We further recommend that planning authorities in England establish a presumption against granting planning permission...
We further recommend that planning authorities in England establish a presumption against granting planning permission for new intensive poultry or other intensive livestock units in catchments where the proposed development would exceed the catchment’s nutrient budget, unless evidence is presented …
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Government Response
The government's response discusses microplastics and wastewater treatment, failing to address the recommendation concerning planning permission for intensive livestock units and their impact on catchment nutrient budgets.
17
Recommendation
Not Addressed
Fourth Report - Water quality in r…
The agricultural sector has a responsibility for improving water quality in rivers, just as the...
The agricultural sector has a responsibility for improving water quality in rivers, just as the water industry and other stakeholders do. The Farming Rules for Water ought to be amended over time so as to reduce phosphorus surpluses in land …
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Government Response
The government response discusses the Environment Agency developing systems to analyze data from Event Duration Monitors, but does not address the recommendation to amend the Farming Rules for Water or the need for cooperation with farmers.
18
Recommendation
Not Addressed
Fourth Report - Water quality in r…
In order to drive down further the excess levels of phosphate and nitrates on agricultural...
In order to drive down further the excess levels of phosphate and nitrates on agricultural land, annual chemical assessments will be required. Where appropriate, farmers ought to be supported to assess the existing phosphorus and nitrogen status of their land …
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Government Response
The government states that the water industry is required to install continuous monitors upstream and downstream of all its sewage discharges and the Environment Agency will supplement this, and that the development of sensors is largely a matter for manufacturers.
31
Recommendation
Not Addressed
Fourth Report - Water quality in r…
The statutory requirements on monitoring and transparency introduced by the Environment Act 2021 establish a...
The statutory requirements on monitoring and transparency introduced by the Environment Act 2021 establish a welcome baseline. There is nevertheless scope to improve the nature of data which water companies collect about the operation of their sewerage networks, and to …
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Government Response
The government discusses reforms to improve recycling consistency and roll out universal separate food waste collections, which is irrelevant to the recommendation about water company data publication.
33
Recommendation
Not Addressed
Fourth Report - Water quality in r…
We recommend that Ofwat require water companies, as a condition of their continued licensing, to...
We recommend that Ofwat require water companies, as a condition of their continued licensing, to deliver year-on-year reductions in the number of pollution incidents, with a target of zero serious incidents by 2030.
Government Response
The Government is committed to reviewing and consulting on Extended Producer Responsibility schemes for five important waste streams, including tyres, by 2025. A two and a half year research project was commissioned in February 2021 to better understand brake and tyre wear emissions. Work is soon to begin within the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe to develop an internationally harmonised method for measuring the abrasion rate of tyres.
35
Recommendation
Not Addressed
Fourth Report - Water quality in r…
We note that the Environment Agency does not consider any use of storm overflows to...
We note that the Environment Agency does not consider any use of storm overflows to be a pollution incident: discharges from overflows are classed as permitted discharges as long as they comply with the terms of the relevant permit. This …
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Government Response
The government's response from the Department for Transport and National Highways addresses road funding and sustainability strategy, completely failing to engage with the recommendation about reclassifying storm overflow sewage spills.
36
Conclusion
Not Addressed
Fourth Report - Water quality in r…
Public confidence in the regulatory structures currently in force is understandably low.
Public confidence in the regulatory structures currently in force is understandably low. It is vital that the public can trust regulators to ensure that high levels of water quality in rivers are achieved and maintained.
Government Response
The Department for Transport and National Highways agree that the mitigation of high risk outfalls will support Government objectives to halt species decline, but it is a non-sequitur to the committee's conclusion.
38
Conclusion
Not Addressed
Fourth Report - Water quality in r…
We welcome the investigation recently launched by the Environment Agency and Ofwat into permit compliance...
We welcome the investigation recently launched by the Environment Agency and Ofwat into permit compliance at sewage treatment works, following evidence presented to us indicating that the numbers of permit breaches may be far higher than disclosed by water companies …
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Government Response
The government states it is conducting a review to inform a future consultation on these points, but does not directly address the committee's welcome of the existing Environment Agency and Ofwat investigation.
40
Recommendation
Not Addressed
Fourth Report - Water quality in r…
We further recommend that, in the interests of promoting public confidence in the criminal justice...
We further recommend that, in the interests of promoting public confidence in the criminal justice system and reducing the likelihood of reoffending, the Sentencing Council review the sentencing guidelines for water pollution offences. In our view, penalties for such offences …
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Government Response
The Government is currently undertaking a review of whether to implement Schedule 3 of the Flood and Water management Act 2010, which introduces mandatory standards for new SuDS.
46
Recommendation
Not Addressed
Fourth Report - Water quality in r…
We intend to invite the regulator to appear before this Committee routinely to discuss Ofwat’s...
We intend to invite the regulator to appear before this Committee routinely to discuss Ofwat’s progress against the objectives of the new Strategic Policy Statement for the regulator which is shortly to be published by Ministers.
Government Response
The government response discusses increases to the Environment Agency's budget for inspections and enforcement, but does not address the committee's intention to invite the regulator to appear before them routinely.
74
Recommendation
Not Addressed
Fourth Report - Water quality in r…
Responsibility for improving water quality in rivers cannot be laid solely at the door of...
Responsibility for improving water quality in rivers cannot be laid solely at the door of the water industry. The project to restore all rivers in England to good health will require the engagement and collaboration of a wide range of …
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Government Response
The government welcomes the report, outlines its broader priorities and existing actions for water quality improvement, and commits to a comprehensive approach in the 25 Year Environment Plan update in January 2023, but does not address the specific recommendation to examine increased funding for Catchment Based Approach partnerships.
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