Water issues
We deal with all aspects of water policy in England, including water supply and resources, and the regulatory systems for the water environment and the water industry. These include drinking water quality; the quality of water in rivers, lakes and estuaries, coastal and marine waters; sewage treatment; and reservoir safety.
We work closely with the Environment Agency (which manages water resources and enforces water quality standards), the Drinking Water Inspectorate (which regulates the quality of drinking water), and Ofwat (which is responsible for economic regulation of the water industry).
Water strategy - Future Water
The Government launched its new water strategy for England, Future Water on 7 February 2008. The strategy sets out a framework for water management in England. This includes:
- sustainable delivery of secure water supplies
- an improved and protected water environment
- fair, affordable and cost-reflective water charges
- reduced water sector greenhouse gas emissions
- more sustainable and effective management of surface water
Accompanying the strategy is a full public consultation on draft statutory Social and Environmental Guidance to Ofwat, which will be one of the ways of delivering the strategy, and consultations on surface water drainage and phosphates.
Latest news
- 29 June 2009 - Interim report of Walker Review of Charging published.
- 25 June 2009 - Government publishes six-month Pitt progress report
- 12 May 2009 - Consultation on Proposals for Time Limiting of Water Abstraction Licences
- 29 April 2009 - Consultation on implementing the abstraction elements of the Water Act 2003
- 22 April 2009 - final report of Professor Martin Cave's independent review of competition and innovation in water markets is published.
- 2 March 2009 - Launch of 2009-10 England Catchment Sensitive Farming Delivery Initiative Capital Grant Scheme
- 22 December 2008 - Consultation on Water Protection Zones
- 29 October 2008 - News release - Water friendly farming initiative targets new catchments
- 22 September 2008 - Statutory Social and Environmental Guidance to Ofwat
Contacts
External sites
Page last modified: 29 June 2009