Other stories from last week

Defra has issued a Call for Evidence on expanding the role of the private sector in nature recovery. It sought views on how Government can work with business sectors operating in England to: use the most effective policy measures; secure the economic benefits of a healthy natural environment and of business innovation in environmental protection and improvement; and identify and manage any risks for businesses, communities or consumers arising from increased business investment in the natural environment. Defra also asked for views on increasing investment in specific environmental outcomes: clean and plentiful water, nature-based carbon reductions, access to nature, flood management, sustainable land use and food production, and global nature. 

British Water has opened the 2025 iteration of its annual Water and Wastewater Company Performance Survey. Supply chain companies have until 11 July to rate their clients’ performance in 12 areas, including innovation, professionalism, contractual approach and communication. Complete the survey here: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/BW2025WaterCompanyPerformanceSurvey

There was further coverage last week of the pollution risk of spreading sludge to land after Greenpeace’s investigative arm, Unearthed, released documents indicating water sector concern about the sustainability of the practice. This is in light of increasing public concern about sludge contaminants, including micro plastics and PFAS, as well as the contribution fertiliser use on land  makes to river pollution. 

The industry’s concern is no secret and has been long standing, given alternative sludge use routes are either experimental or have downsides of their own. However, the story positioned the practice as water industry neglect. Reshima Sharma, political campaigner for Greenpeace UK, said: “This investigation is yet more proof that we can’t trust the privatised water companies to deal with waste responsibly. So long as they can get away with it, they will just pass any problems on to our countryside and pocket the money they should be investing in solutions. In addition to the national scandal of river pollution, their negligence has led to a cocktail of toxic contaminants being spread on the soil that grows our food. The Government must stop toxic sludge from being spread on farmland immediately and water companies must be made to pay for disposing of it safely, without passing the buck to bill payers.”

The Rivers Trust, National Trust, Woodland Trust and Beavers Trust have launched the Making Space for Water campaign (http://www.makingspaceforwater.com/), which is lobbying MPs to support landowners to create and maintain a network of nature-rich river corridors. The campaign, which is widely supported by additional environmental groups, argues natural waterways would meet multiple objectives including managing flood and drought, supporting wildlife, improving water quality and boosting climate resilience.