Fourth Report - Water quality in rivers
Select Committee
Environmental Audit Committee
HC 74
13 January 2022
Government Response (AI assessment · 82 of 82 classified)
Accepted
22
Acknowledged
29
Deferred
11
Rejected
3
Government response
First Special Report - Water quality in rivers: Government Response to the Committee’s Fourth Report of Session 2021–22 · published 16 May 2022
Recommendations & Conclusions
11 results
24
Recommendation
Deferred
Para 168
Independent analysis of publicly available monitoring data, using machine learning techniques, has produced insights into...
Recommendation
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 Summary
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
Para 173
We recommend that water companies take immediate steps to install volume monitors at all points...
Recommendation
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 Summary
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
Para 207
We recommend that Ofwat examine the scope of its existing powers in respect of water...
Recommendation
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 Summary
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
Para 231
It is clear that there are no quick fixes to decades of under-investment in the...
Conclusion
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 Summary
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
Para 234
We recommend that Ofwat prioritise the long-term investment in wastewater assets as an essential outcome...
Recommendation
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 Summary
Response provided at paragraph 26, which discusses Ofwat's responsibilities.
56
Recommendation
Deferred
Para 286
Highways authorities at the national and local level must place a greater priority on preventing...
Recommendation
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 Summary
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
Para 288
We recommend that National Highways accelerate its programme of installation of improvements to highways drainage...
Recommendation
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 Summary
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
Para 310
We welcome the announcement that Ministers are to review whether Schedule 3 to the Flood...
Conclusion
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 Summary
The government is conducting a review that covers the points raised, to inform a consultation in due course.
62
Recommendation
Deferred
Para 311
We recommend that the review consider the optimum arrangements for maintenance and adoption of sustainable...
Recommendation
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 Summary
The Government is currently conducting a review which covers these points, to inform a consultation in due course.
64
Recommendation
Deferred
Para 313
We further recommend that Non-Statutory SuDS Standards should be improved, taking into account the findings...
Recommendation
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 Summary
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
New housing developments must be used to set the standard for the sustainable sewerage networks...
Recommendation
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 Summary
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.