Source · Select Committees · Environmental Audit Committee
Recommendation 2
2
Paragraph: 39
A ‘chemical cocktail’ of sewage, agricultural waste, plastic and persistent chemicals is polluting rivers.
Conclusion
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establishment of a complete overview of the health of rivers in England and the pollution affecting them is hampered by outdated, underfunded and inadequate monitoring regimes.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.
Paragraph Reference:
39
Government Response
Acknowledged
HM Government
Acknowledged
The Government is already taking action through research projects as part of the Natural Capital Ecosystem Assessment to confirm suitable monitoring and assessment methodologies for water quality, sediment and ground water samples. We are also currently developing a chemicals strategy which will set out our immediate priorities, alongside any actions we will need to take to achieve safer and more environmentally sustainable management of chemicals for present and future generations. We recognise the important links between this work and restoring water quality. We have also developed a Prioritisation and Early Warning System (PEWS) for chemicals of emerging concern to ensure consideration of the potential risks of emerging chemicals to surface waters (both freshwater and saline waters), groundwater, soils, biota and sediments. The system allows us to sift and screen any chemical substance nominated using, where available, hazard data and environmental monitoring data to prioritise whether a substance may be a possible chemical of concern in England. Through the Environment Agency, we are investing in cutting edge analytical techniques and are planning to scan for over 1,500 specific chemicals in the surveillance network across watercourses, and continually review and add to the list of chemicals to look for. To supplement this targeted analysis, we are developing non-target screening in water, biota and sediment allowing the detection of the presence of more than 65,000 different chemicals. Water quality is a devolved matter and there is existing, strong coordination in this area across the UK administrations, not least because river basin management planning covers cross border river basin districts. At the working level, the UK Technical Advisory Group (UKTAG) comprises experts drawn from UK environment agencies and conservation agencies. The UKTAG develops guidance and makes recommendations to the UK’s administrations on technical aspects of implementation of the water quality regulations and river basin management planning. It operates through a series of technical task teams established for specific subjects including chemicals, marine waters, water resources, groundwater and fresh water. Through this work, we have a good picture of the UK’s water environment overall.