Source · Select Committees · Environmental Audit Committee
Recommendation 10
10
Paragraph: 69
We recommend that the Government actively encourage the designation of at least one widely used...
Recommendation
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.
Paragraph Reference:
69
Government Response
Accepted
HM Government
Accepted
The Government agrees that protecting public health through designating bathing waters, in particular rivers, should complement ecological status. We believe that measures to reduce bacterial load in the water to meet bathing water classifications should have a positive impact on ecology (for example reduction in spills from storm overflows and reduction in diffuse agricultural pollution; both of which lead to nutrient loading). As the committee’s report acknowledges, however, these are different targets and public health measures which are important to meet bathing water microbial standards (e.g. UV disinfection of treated waste water), do not necessarily improve the ecological health of rivers. For example, sewage effluent treated with UV disinfection for public health reasons can still contain high levels of phosphorus, which can damage habitats. mutual benefits in achieving this in relevant locations.