When I attended the launch of the new government’s Water (Special Measures) Bill hosted by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs on 5 September 2024, it was encouraging to see representation from both the water and investment sectors as well as central Government and campaigners.
The Rt hon Steve Reed OBE, Secretary of State gave the keynote address, as I listened with Kate Jennings, CEO of the Association for Consultancy and Engineering and the Environmental Industries Commission.
The Secretary of State highlighted the engineering brilliance of our water systems that date back to the Victorian era while pointing out the sense of urgency to get essential remedial and upgrade work underway as well as promised new infrastructure so that both sewerage and water supply needs are met now and for the foreseeable future.
Measures included in the bill to tighten up governance and performance were generally welcomed by the audience.
The EIC water task force also recognises the need for action to address the condition of our water resources and views this bill as a first step in the right direction as perhaps for too long we have taken clean water for granted. We note two specific aspects of the new Bill:
- There is a risk that the promise of additional resources for regulators (particularly the Environment Agency (EA)) to apply these new powers will be stymied by a lack of human resources in the water and environmental industries to meet the existing challenge. Consideration should be given to how the EA will be able to recruit and train this valuable, skilled resource.
- Focusing on water companies and water quality is only part of the challenge we face with our water resources. What is particularly interesting in last week’s speech is the recognition that we need to review how we manage this precious resource at a catchment level. The third stage of the government’s plan is a full review of the water system. It should not focus solely on water companies but also consider future water supply and flood risk challenges we face and how they will be exacerbated by our changing climate, to consider how we maintain this resource from sky to sea.
Kate Jennings also said, “This is highly significant for ACE and EIC members as we need to work in partnership with Government to deliver the infrastructure for now and the future with nature and water supply at the heart of any new developments. A prosperous and thriving society is dependent on a truly integrated approach with an overarching national infrastructure strategy and certainty of investment to realise the best outcomes.”
The Secretary of State added that the Government intends to outline further legislation to fundamentally transform how the nation’s water system operates to tackle pollution and deliver a resilient water supply, boost investment and speed up infrastructure upgrades to clean up the nation’s waterways. The EIC water taskforce will continue to pro-actively engage with DEFRA and the Secretary of State so that we can share the expertise and represent the needs of our sector.
For more information about the EIC water task force contact: agladstone-heighton@acenet.co.uk
For the official Government Water Bill press release click here.
