Recommendations & Conclusions
29 items
1
Conclusion
Fourth Report - Water quality in rivers
Acknowledged
Improving the quality of the water in rivers in England should be considered a principal objective through which the Government and public bodies can deliver on the legally binding duty, established in the Environment Act 2021, to halt the decline in domestic species by 2030.
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Improving the quality of the water in rivers in England should be considered a principal objective through which the Government and public bodies can deliver on the legally binding duty, established in the Environment Act 2021, to halt the decline in domestic species by 2030.
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Government response AI summary
The government agrees that improving river water quality is a principal objective for meeting the legally binding duty to halt the decline in domestic species by 2030, recognising its vital role for biodiversity and habitat restoration.
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2
Conclusion
Fourth Report - Water quality in rivers
Acknowledged
A ‘chemical cocktail’ of sewage, agricultural waste, plastic and persistent chemicals is polluting rivers. River water quality has improved by some measures in recent decades, but in others it appears to be getting worse. The establishment of a complete overview of the health of rivers in England and the pollution …
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A ‘chemical cocktail’ of sewage, agricultural waste, plastic and persistent chemicals is polluting rivers. River water quality has improved by some measures in recent decades, but in others it appears to be getting worse. The establishment of a complete overview of the health of rivers in England and the pollution affecting them is hampered by outdated, underfunded and inadequate monitoring regimes. Many harmful pollutants are not routinely monitored, and the Environment Agency has reduced the number of monitoring sites.
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Government response AI summary
The government states it is already taking action through research projects, developing a chemicals strategy and a Prioritisation and Early Warning System (PEWS) for chemicals of emerging concern. They are also developing non-target screening in water, biota and sediment allowing the detection of the presence …
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4
Recommendation
Fourth Report - Water quality in rivers
Acknowledged
The current range of pollutants being monitored is too narrow. The Environment Agency must begin work to extend the number of substances it is regularly monitoring in rivers. Existing datasets do not provide a comprehensive picture of risks to human health, aquatic life nor microplastic contamination in rivers.
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The current range of pollutants being monitored is too narrow. The Environment Agency must begin work to extend the number of substances it is regularly monitoring in rivers. Existing datasets do not provide a comprehensive picture of risks to human health, aquatic life nor microplastic contamination in rivers.
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Government response AI summary
The government agrees on engaging stakeholders and expanding the evidence base regarding pollutants and antimicrobial resistance, referencing ongoing programs, but does not explicitly commit to the Environment Agency extending its regular monitoring of substances in rivers.
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8
Recommendation
Fourth Report - Water quality in rivers
Acknowledged
We welcome the Environment Act’s inclusion of a requirement on water companies to reduce the impact on public health of sewage discharges. We recommend that this includes consideration of antimicrobial resistance.
Government response AI summary
The government agrees it is important bathers have access to timely information on water quality and refers to existing signage requirements and pollution risk forecasting services. They will make use of learning from existing trials such as sensor technology to indicate water quality.
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10
Recommendation
Fourth Report - Water quality in rivers
Acknowledged
We recommend that the Government actively encourage the designation of at least one widely used stretch of river for bathing in each water company area by 2025 at the latest. In their Business Plans for Ofwat’s Price Review 24, each water and sewerage company should set out how they intend …
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We recommend that the Government actively encourage the designation of at least one widely used stretch of river for bathing in each water company area by 2025 at the latest. In their Business Plans for Ofwat’s Price Review 24, each water and sewerage company should set out how they intend to work with stakeholders to support further applications for the designation of river bathing waters in their area, and to continue the process in subsequent Price Reviews.
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Government response AI summary
The government agrees that designating river bathing waters to protect public health is important and complements ecological status, but highlights the distinction between public health measures and those that improve ecological health. It does not commit to actively encouraging specific designations or requiring water companies …
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12
Recommendation
Fourth Report - Water quality in rivers
Acknowledged
When deciding on areas for designation, the costs and benefits for local stakeholders should be carefully assessed, with consideration given to the potential impact on land adjacent to bathing waters. We recommend that DEFRA ensure its Environmental Land Management Scheme supports action by farmers with land adjacent to designated waters …
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When deciding on areas for designation, the costs and benefits for local stakeholders should be carefully assessed, with consideration given to the potential impact on land adjacent to bathing waters. We recommend that DEFRA ensure its Environmental Land Management Scheme supports action by farmers with land adjacent to designated waters to minimise the risk of any faecal contamination from livestock which might pose a risk to bathing water quality.
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Government response AI summary
The government discusses its ongoing package of support for farmers to manage nutrients sustainably through environmental land management schemes, but does not specifically commit to ensuring ELMS targets support for farmers adjacent to designated waters to minimise faecal contamination.
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13
Conclusion
Fourth Report - Water quality in rivers
Acknowledged
Designation of stretches of river as bathing waters will help to drive coordinated action to improve water quality: but achieving rivers safe to swim in is only one aspect of securing an overall improvement in water quality. Designation of bathing waters must therefore go hand in hand with further measures …
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Designation of stretches of river as bathing waters will help to drive coordinated action to improve water quality: but achieving rivers safe to swim in is only one aspect of securing an overall improvement in water quality. Designation of bathing waters must therefore go hand in hand with further measures to preserve and improve riverine biodiversity. (Paragraph 72) Agricultural pollution
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Government response AI summary
The Government agrees that minimum standards for mitigating water pollution from agriculture should evolve over time to improve water quality. They state they are already taking action to improve the effectiveness of the regulatory framework, referencing guidance on the Farming Rules for Water and the …
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20
Recommendation
Fourth Report - Water quality in rivers
Acknowledged
The sewage sludge currently spread on agricultural land contains microplastics which have been caught in the wastewater treatment process. It may also contain e-coli, antibiotics, biocides, persistent chemical pollutants and pharmaceuticals. This practice appears to be the principal means of disposal of biosolids from such processes. If it is to …
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The sewage sludge currently spread on agricultural land contains microplastics which have been caught in the wastewater treatment process. It may also contain e-coli, antibiotics, biocides, persistent chemical pollutants and pharmaceuticals. This practice appears to be the principal means of disposal of biosolids from such processes. If it is to continue, a means must be found to ensure that the microplastics 122 Water quality in rivers which find their way in to waste water are disposed of safely and not spread over food-growing farmland thereby polluting productive soils. The Government should commission an independent evaluation of the potential risks to human health and the environment of spreading sewage sludge, with all the pollutants it contains, on farmland.
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Government response AI summary
The government is exploring the best way to make data generated by the Environment Act duties available to the public. Ofwat agrees that reporting needs to be suitably detailed, accessible and transparent to all, and note companies have existing obligations in relation to environmental information …
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21
Recommendation
Fourth Report - Water quality in rivers
Acknowledged
We recommend that the water industry work urgently with the Environment Agency and the farming sector to assess and mitigate the clear risk of microplastic pollution from this practice, and to develop a comprehensive plan for the separation of microplastics from biosolids at wastewater treatment works. (Paragraph 129) Sewage pollution
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We recommend that the water industry work urgently with the Environment Agency and the farming sector to assess and mitigate the clear risk of microplastic pollution from this practice, and to develop a comprehensive plan for the separation of microplastics from biosolids at wastewater treatment works. (Paragraph 129) Sewage pollution
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Government response AI summary
Ofwat wants to see serious pollution incidents reduced to zero by 2030 and the Government’s revised Strategic Policy Statement for Ofwat includes an expectation for Ofwat to ‘challenge water companies to demonstrate how they will achieve zero serious pollution incidents by 2030’.
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25
Recommendation
Fourth Report - Water quality in rivers
Acknowledged
We recommend that the Environment Agency either develop the in-house capacity or tender for external assistance necessary for the analysis of the volume of data generated by EDMs and for the establishment of techniques to identify discharges which are likely to breach permit conditions.
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We recommend that the Environment Agency either develop the in-house capacity or tender for external assistance necessary for the analysis of the volume of data generated by EDMs and for the establishment of techniques to identify discharges which are likely to breach permit conditions.
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Government response AI summary
Ofwat expects performance-related executive pay to be linked to stretching performance delivery for customers, including environmental performance, and notes that it has written to remuneration committees underscoring its expectations. It will continue to examine this issue.
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26
Recommendation
Fourth Report - Water quality in rivers
Acknowledged
The technology for continuous monitoring of water quality is evolving rapidly. We recommend that the Environment Agency invite manufacturers to submit products for evaluation so that the Agency can rapidly introduce cost-efficient and effective sensors at an increased number of locations.
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The technology for continuous monitoring of water quality is evolving rapidly. We recommend that the Environment Agency invite manufacturers to submit products for evaluation so that the Agency can rapidly introduce cost-efficient and effective sensors at an increased number of locations.
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Government response AI summary
The government states that Ofwat continues to prioritise long-term investment and will continue to focus their regulatory approach to support long term customer and environmental outcomes.
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27
Conclusion
Fourth Report - Water quality in rivers
Acknowledged
We note with concern the evidence we have received which suggests that Environment Agency sampling practice at wastewater treatment works may not adequately take into account regular variations in the composition of effluent. (Paragraph 171) Water quality in rivers 123
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We note with concern the evidence we have received which suggests that Environment Agency sampling practice at wastewater treatment works may not adequately take into account regular variations in the composition of effluent. (Paragraph 171) Water quality in rivers 123
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Government response AI summary
The government highlights its Strategic Policy Statement for Ofwat, which supports increased use of nature-based solutions and references funding and initiatives already in place to promote them, including the WINEP taskforce. However, it makes no specific commitment to action regarding the Environment Agency's sampling practice.
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28
Conclusion
Fourth Report - Water quality in rivers
Acknowledged
We welcome the statutory provisions in the Environment Act 2021 to monitor water quality upstream and downstream of sewer outflows, and for annual reporting on storm overflow discharges. We also welcome the requirement for water companies to report on the volume where information is available, but we regret that there …
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We welcome the statutory provisions in the Environment Act 2021 to monitor water quality upstream and downstream of sewer outflows, and for annual reporting on storm overflow discharges. We also welcome the requirement for water companies to report on the volume where information is available, but we regret that there is as yet no timetable for the roll-out of volume monitors across wastewater treatment works, especially to those works which have a history of spills.
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30
Conclusion
Fourth Report - Water quality in rivers
Acknowledged
We were dismayed to learn that some water companies have been slow to respond to formal requests by campaigners and citizen scientists under the Environmental Information Regulations 2004 to secure information about EDM use and permit conditions on the sewerage network. Given the overwhelming public concern about water quality in …
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We were dismayed to learn that some water companies have been slow to respond to formal requests by campaigners and citizen scientists under the Environmental Information Regulations 2004 to secure information about EDM use and permit conditions on the sewerage network. Given the overwhelming public concern about water quality in rivers in England, greater transparency in this respect should become the norm. We welcome the commitments on improved transparency which we received directly from the chief executives of several water companies.
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Government response AI summary
The Government welcomes the recommendation, notes that the Strategic Policy Statement makes clear that the current number of discharges is unacceptable and water companies must significantly reduce the discharge of sewage from storm overflows, and that outcomes will be set out in the Storm Overflows …
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32
Conclusion
Fourth Report - Water quality in rivers
Acknowledged
The water industry has failed to achieve the target, set by the Environment Agency, of a 50% reduction in serious pollution incidents from their 2012 level by 2020. This is not an acceptable position.
Government response AI summary
The Government acknowledges the water industry's failure to meet the pollution reduction target and describes actions being taken regarding wet wipes and disposable nappies, including a call for evidence and ongoing research, but does not directly address the target.
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34
Conclusion
Fourth Report - Water quality in rivers
Acknowledged
We nevertheless welcome the reductions in serious pollution incidents which water companies have achieved and which the Environment Agency has acknowledged.
Government response AI summary
While the government will encourage Textiles 2030 to consider what the textiles industry can realistically do to reduce microplastic pollution, it is not appropriate to introduce a new target, especially as evidence on the impact, sources, and potential preventive measures are not conclusive.
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44
Recommendation
Fourth Report - Water quality in rivers
Acknowledged
The Secretary of State has the opportunity to set strategic direction for Ofwat. Now is the time for the Government to act in encouraging Ofwat to increase materially the proportion of each company’s capital investment devoted to improving water quality.
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The Secretary of State has the opportunity to set strategic direction for Ofwat. Now is the time for the Government to act in encouraging Ofwat to increase materially the proportion of each company’s capital investment devoted to improving water quality.
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Government response AI summary
The Government highlights Ofwat's efforts to incorporate a natural capital approach in their decision-making for the next Price Review (PR24) and the introduction of this approach to assess the environmental implications of Water Industry National Environment Programme (WINEP) proposals.
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47
Conclusion
Fourth Report - Water quality in rivers
Acknowledged
The Government acknowledges that reductions in discharges from the sewerage network will require significant investment across the water estate. The price estimate made by the Storm Overflows Taskforce of the cost of full separation of the entire sewerage network should be carefully scrutinised by the Government as it produces its …
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The Government acknowledges that reductions in discharges from the sewerage network will require significant investment across the water estate. The price estimate made by the Storm Overflows Taskforce of the cost of full separation of the entire sewerage network should be carefully scrutinised by the Government as it produces its plan, required by September 2022 under the Environment Act, on the actions required to reduce discharges from storm overflows in England.
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Government response AI summary
Defra and HM Treasury are engaging in discussions in 2022 about reviewing the Environment Agency’s ability to recover costs through charges for permits and related activities.
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51
Conclusion
Fourth Report - Water quality in rivers
Acknowledged
Fats, oils and greases and cleaning and hygiene products containing plastic are causing huge problems for drainage systems when they are poured away in sinks or flushed down the toilet. The disposal of FOG by takeaways and other food service establishments is currently unregulated. Grease management solutions exist, but awareness …
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Fats, oils and greases and cleaning and hygiene products containing plastic are causing huge problems for drainage systems when they are poured away in sinks or flushed down the toilet. The disposal of FOG by takeaways and other food service establishments is currently unregulated. Grease management solutions exist, but awareness appears to be low. The food service industry needs clear guidance and standards to be established, failing which firmer regulation is likely to be 126 Water quality in rivers required, to ensure it begins to take responsibility for addressing an issue which is costly for water company customers and detrimental to sewerage systems and the environment. There could be potential circular economy benefits for businesses that can utilise these harmful waste products as biofuels.
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Government response AI summary
The government agrees citizen science can play an important role, including assisting the Environment Agency with monitoring, particularly through Catchment Partnerships. They state that this is already happening through the Catchment Monitoring Cooperative and the CaSTCo initiative.
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52
Recommendation
Fourth Report - Water quality in rivers
Acknowledged
The water and grease management industry must develop standards for the sectors which use FOG routinely to collect and dispose of such responsibly without it entering the drainage network. We further recommend that Ministers work with the water industry to consider whether fats, oils and greases should be classed as …
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The water and grease management industry must develop standards for the sectors which use FOG routinely to collect and dispose of such responsibly without it entering the drainage network. We further recommend that Ministers work with the water industry to consider whether fats, oils and greases should be classed as a trade effluent and all takeaways and food outlets required to install grease management systems.
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Government response AI summary
The Government welcomes the focus on citizen science and CaBA partnership monitoring and encourages water companies to engage with CaBA partnerships, expecting the Environment Agency's links to ensure that citizen science data is taken into account.
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57
Conclusion
Fourth Report - Water quality in rivers
Acknowledged
National Highways mitigated risks of pollution from 23 drainage points in 2020/21. At this rate it will take over 55 years to address the 1,326 outfalls and soakaways it has identified as high risk, not to mention the thousands of other potentially polluting drains on the strategic road network. This …
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National Highways mitigated risks of pollution from 23 drainage points in 2020/21. At this rate it will take over 55 years to address the 1,326 outfalls and soakaways it has identified as high risk, not to mention the thousands of other potentially polluting drains on the strategic road network. This is unacceptably slow progress. We are sceptical that the company will be able to achieve its target of no net loss of biodiversity without working at a much faster rate to neutralise the direct risks to water quality from those outfalls it manages. (Paragraph 287) Water quality in rivers 127
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Government response AI summary
The Department for Transport and National Highways agree that increased ambition and delivery should be supported and will examine the feasibility of using existing funds in the current road period to support this where possible.
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66
Recommendation
Fourth Report - Water quality in rivers
Acknowledged
The new Office for Environmental Protection, established under the Environment Act 2021, is empowered to make highly significant contributions to the achievement 128 Water quality in rivers of the Government’s environmental objectives in general, and to the improvement of water quality in rivers in particular. We encourage the Office for …
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The new Office for Environmental Protection, established under the Environment Act 2021, is empowered to make highly significant contributions to the achievement 128 Water quality in rivers of the Government’s environmental objectives in general, and to the improvement of water quality in rivers in particular. We encourage the Office for Environmental Protection to take account of the relevant conclusions and recommendations of this report when planning the Office’s work on water quality, and to use the powers granted by Parliament to drive improvement of the regulation and enforcement regimes which govern the state of England’s rivers.
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Government response AI summary
The government acknowledges the OEP's independence and states that it will be up to the OEP to decide how to prioritise its work, including considering the committee's recommendations.
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67
Conclusion
Fourth Report - Water quality in rivers
Acknowledged
In the Committee’s recent report on biodiversity in the UK we argued that action to protect biodiversity needed to be stepped up in scale, ambition, pace, and detail. Our conclusions from this inquiry show that this step change in approach is vital to protect freshwater biodiversity.
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In the Committee’s recent report on biodiversity in the UK we argued that action to protect biodiversity needed to be stepped up in scale, ambition, pace, and detail. Our conclusions from this inquiry show that this step change in approach is vital to protect freshwater biodiversity.
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Government response AI summary
The government agrees with the committee's conclusion, affirming that a significant shift in approach to improve water quality is essential for protecting freshwater biodiversity and achieving the target to halt species decline by 2030.
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68
Recommendation
Fourth Report - Water quality in rivers
Acknowledged
Changes in regulatory action, cross-catchment collaboration and water company investment are urgently required to restore rivers to good ecological health, protect biodiversity and adapt to a changing climate. We expect to see far more assertive regulation and enforcement from Ofwat and the Environment Agency, with the provision of funding and …
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Changes in regulatory action, cross-catchment collaboration and water company investment are urgently required to restore rivers to good ecological health, protect biodiversity and adapt to a changing climate. We expect to see far more assertive regulation and enforcement from Ofwat and the Environment Agency, with the provision of funding and resources to match.
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Government response AI summary
The Government acknowledges the need for action and refers to existing measures like the Environment Act 2021 and targets to reduce pollution, and plans to improve water quality in the update of the 25 Year Environment Plan in January 2023.
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70
Conclusion
Fourth Report - Water quality in rivers
Acknowledged
The biodiversity crisis requires public agencies, regulators and water companies to adopt new decision-making methodologies. The idea, for instance, that pollution can be tolerated in areas with low ‘amenity value’ belongs to a different era. Pollution of rivers must be addressed wherever it occurs because of the impact of such …
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The biodiversity crisis requires public agencies, regulators and water companies to adopt new decision-making methodologies. The idea, for instance, that pollution can be tolerated in areas with low ‘amenity value’ belongs to a different era. Pollution of rivers must be addressed wherever it occurs because of the impact of such pollution has on freshwater ecosystems and ultimately the health of the oceans.
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Government response AI summary
The Government acknowledges the need for action and refers to existing measures like the Environment Act 2021 and targets to reduce pollution, and plans to improve water quality in the update of the 25 Year Environment Plan in January 2023.
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75
Conclusion
Fourth Report - Water quality in rivers
Acknowledged
Local authorities have a key role to play in restoring rivers to good ecological status across the country. Their engagement in Catchment Based Approach partnerships is crucial, while their work on Local Nature Recovery Strategies must engage with the development of drainage and sewerage management plans. It is essential that …
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Local authorities have a key role to play in restoring rivers to good ecological status across the country. Their engagement in Catchment Based Approach partnerships is crucial, while their work on Local Nature Recovery Strategies must engage with the development of drainage and sewerage management plans. It is essential that they be given powers sufficient to enable them to retrofit sustainable drainage systems on outfalls from major roads and housing estates.
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Government response AI summary
The Government agrees with the intention behind this recommendation and says there is information available nationally and at a catchment level as part of the Environment Agency’s River Basin Management Planning process and that they are working with Local Planning Authorities (LPAs) to help them …
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76
Recommendation
Fourth Report - Water quality in rivers
Acknowledged
Pollution across river catchments must be progressively reduced from all sources in the catchment until it does not exceed the capacity of the land and the rivers to handle the nutrients. We therefore recommend that DEFRA direct the Environment Agency and Natural England to calculate nutrient budgets for each river …
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Pollution across river catchments must be progressively reduced from all sources in the catchment until it does not exceed the capacity of the land and the rivers to handle the nutrients. We therefore recommend that DEFRA direct the Environment Agency and Natural England to calculate nutrient budgets for each river catchment in England.
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Government response AI summary
The government agrees on the need to incentivise action for water body improvement through existing and future agri-environment schemes, with a focus on water quality and reducing nutrient leaching, but does not commit to calculating nutrient budgets for each river catchment.
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78
Conclusion
Fourth Report - Water quality in rivers
Acknowledged
Policymakers across Government should aim to cultivate a culture of water citizenship to foster greater awareness and change behaviour that risks causing blockages in the sewer network and increasing levels of water pollution. Awareness of what should not be disposed of down toilets and drains appears to be low. Many …
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Policymakers across Government should aim to cultivate a culture of water citizenship to foster greater awareness and change behaviour that risks causing blockages in the sewer network and increasing levels of water pollution. Awareness of what should not be disposed of down toilets and drains appears to be low. Many householders are still unaware that flushing anything other than the ‘three Ps’ (‘pee, poo and paper’) can create a risk of blocking sewers leading to a pollution incident.
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Government response AI summary
The government agrees that citizen science can play an important role, including in assisting the Environment Agency with monitoring, particularly through Catchment Partnerships. They highlight the Catchment Monitoring Cooperative which obtained £1.7 million in funding from Ofwat’s Breakthrough Water Challenge fund last year to kickstart …
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79
Recommendation
Fourth Report - Water quality in rivers
Acknowledged
Citizen science should not be seen as an alternative to adequately funded environmental monitoring by regulators but it should be encouraged and recognised. We recommend that the Environment Agency explore how best to support the contribution of citizen science to environmental regulation and to incorporate citizen science analysis in its …
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Citizen science should not be seen as an alternative to adequately funded environmental monitoring by regulators but it should be encouraged and recognised. We recommend that the Environment Agency explore how best to support the contribution of citizen science to environmental regulation and to incorporate citizen science analysis in its work wherever possible and appropriate. The Environment 130 Water quality in rivers Agency should, for instance, consider how best to provide a publicly-available platform for citizen scientists to enter water quality readings in a way that would allow results to be verified by other users, regulators or companies.
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Government response AI summary
The Government welcomes the focus on citizen science and CaBA partnership monitoring and encourages water companies to engage with CaBA partnerships. They expect the Environment Agency's links to the water industry and catchment partnerships should ensure citizen science data is taken into account.
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