Nature coalition calls for reform of regulation for the water environment

UK regulators are struggling to effectively advise, monitor and enforce regulations to protect the water environment, according to nature coalition Wildlife and Countryside Link.

In a briefing on reforming regulation for the water environment, it argued this is driving poor environmental, social, and economic outcomes, that the performance of regulated sectors is not improving, and non-compliance is commonplace.

WCL said to deliver stronger, more effective regulation for the water environment, the Government must: 

• Establish a clearer, more strategic regulatory framework that sets out the long-term vision for regulated sectors, and how this will contribute towards the achievement of environmental targets and outcomes. 

• Remove the Growth Duty and set clearer duties and purposes for UK regulators, such as Ofwat and the Environment Agency, that are explicitly tied to delivering legally binding environmental targets.

• Ensure Ofwat and the Environment Agency have the necessary funding, resources, and capacity to deliver a robust and comprehensive advisory, monitoring, and enforcement regime; this should be sufficient to end reliance on industry self-reporting.

• Give stronger direction on the types of solutions needed, and ensure this is reflected in the regulatory framework, to enable greater uptake and use of catchment and nature-based solutions. 

• Ahead of the general election, campaign group Save Windermere has published a “ten point plan to save England’s largest lake from sewage”. This contains short and long term measures and can be viewed here: https://www.savewindermere.com/