Active Announced in the King's Speech on 13 May 2026. 68 of 154 events
Threads / Clean Water Bill / Timeline
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68 days in stage

Clean Water Bill

The King's Speech 2026 bill for long-term water sector reform, stronger oversight, and action to clean up rivers, lakes and seas following the Cunliffe review and earlier water special measures.

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Family: Scrutiny and evidence

2026

16 events
27 Apr 2026 | Written question Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs linked direct

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what funding her Department has made available for the upgrade of ageing water and sewer infrastructure.

Why linked: PQ on funding for water and sewer infrastructure upgrades (April 2026); relevant to water company investment and oversight mechanisms within scope

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what funding her Department has made available for the upgrade of ageing water and sewer infrastructure.

▤ View document · ↗ GOV.UK
13 Apr 2026 | Written question Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs linked direct

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what timeline her Department expects for upgrades to infrastructure to prevent further sewage discharges into the River Wriggle.

Why linked: PQ on sewage discharge infrastructure upgrade timelines - directly relevant to CSO reduction and discharge quality standards

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what timeline her Department expects for upgrades to infrastructure to prevent further sewage discharges into the River Wriggle.

▤ View document · ↗ GOV.UK
26 Mar 2026 | Written question Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs linked direct

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, if she will publish the list of Working Groups cited in A New Vision for Water (2026).

Why linked: PQ asking Defra to publish working groups behind A New Vision (water reform plan) — direct grounding for pre-legislative scrutiny.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, if she will publish the list of Working Groups cited in A New Vision for Water (2026).

▤ View document · ↗ GOV.UK
26 Mar 2026 | Written question Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs linked direct

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what steps she is taking to ensure that Ofwat's successor regulator has sufficient powers to place a failing water company into Special Administration on grounds of environmental non-c

Why linked: Direct PQ on Ofwat's successor regulator powers, directly relevant to regulatory oversight reform in Clean Water Bill scope

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what steps she is taking to ensure that Ofwat's successor regulator has sufficient powers to place a failing water company into Special Administration on grounds of environmental non-c

▤ View document · ↗ GOV.UK
26 Mar 2026 | Written question Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs linked direct

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, whether she plans to maintain bathing water quality standards in line with international benchmarks, including those of the World Health Organisation and the Blue Flag programme.

Why linked: Direct PQ on bathing water quality standards, which is explicitly in scope as part of drinking water quality standards and environmental standards

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, whether she plans to maintain bathing water quality standards in line with international benchmarks, including those of the World Health Organisation and the Blue Flag programme.

▤ View document · ↗ GOV.UK
25 Mar 2026 | Committee report linked direct

Defra will also introduce a single water regulator, which will take on the water-related regulatory functions of Natural England, the Environment Agency, Ofwat and the Drinking Water Inspectorate.59 Government intends to publish a transition plan for the reforms in 2026.60 Farmers will need to engage with this regulator in addition to the ones it currently interacts with, which risks increasing complexity further.

Why linked: Document describing creation of single water regulator consolidating functions - confirms key structural reform mechanism for the Bill

Defra will also introduce a single water regulator, which will take on the water-related regulatory functions of Natural England, the Environment Agency, Ofwat and the Drinking Water Inspectorate.59 Government intends to publish a transition plan for the reforms in 2026.60 …

▤ View document · ↗ GOV.UK
24 Mar 2026 | Written question Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs linked direct

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what assessment her Department has made of the adequacy of current levels of investment in wastewater infrastructure.

Why linked: PQ on adequacy of wastewater infrastructure investment - directly relevant to water company investment plans and discharge standards

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what assessment her Department has made of the adequacy of current levels of investment in wastewater infrastructure.

▤ View document · ↗ GOV.UK
24 Mar 2026 | Written question Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs linked direct

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what her long-term strategy is for reducing sewage discharges from storm overflows; and what targets, timelines and investment requirements have been set for water companies to deliver

Why linked: PQ on long-term strategy for reducing sewage discharges from storm overflows - core in-scope policy area

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what her long-term strategy is for reducing sewage discharges from storm overflows; and what targets, timelines and investment requirements have been set for water companies to deliver

▤ View document · ↗ GOV.UK
23 Mar 2026 | Written question Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs linked direct

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, if her Department will make an assessment of alternative governance for water utilities, including public ownership and mutual structures.

Why linked: PQ on alternative governance for water utilities assessment (March 2026); water company licensing and ownership models in scope

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, if her Department will make an assessment of alternative governance for water utilities, including public ownership and mutual structures.

▤ View document · ↗ GOV.UK
11 Mar 2026 | Written question Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs linked direct

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, how many incidents of sewage discharges occurred in Sherwood Forest constituency in (a) 2024 and (b) 2025; and which rivers and bodies of water were most affected.

Why linked: PQ on sewage discharge incidents - sewage discharge data relevant to CSO reduction strategies and water quality

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, how many incidents of sewage discharges occurred in Sherwood Forest constituency in (a) 2024 and (b) 2025; and which rivers and bodies of water were most affected.

▤ View document · ↗ GOV.UK
5 Mar 2026 | Written question Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs linked direct

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, when she plans to stop operator self monitoring of the water industry.

Why linked: PQ on ending operator self-monitoring of water industry (March 2026); Environment Agency regulatory oversight and enforcement mechanisms in scope

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, when she plans to stop operator self monitoring of the water industry.

▤ View document · ↗ GOV.UK
5 Mar 2026 | Written question Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs linked direct

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, whether her department plans to establish the public health task force recommended by the Independent Water Commission prior to the introduction of the Water Reform Bill.

Why linked: PQ on whether Defra plans to establish a public health task force in connection with water reform — directly engages Bill scope.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, whether her department plans to establish the public health task force recommended by the Independent Water Commission prior to the introduction of the Water Reform Bill.

▤ View document · ↗ GOV.UK
5 Mar 2026 | Written question Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs linked direct

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, whether citizen science will be embedded in the (a) Water Reform Bill and (b) Transition Plan.

Why linked: PQ asking whether citizen science will be embedded in the Water Reform Bill — direct grounding of Bill scope question.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, whether citizen science will be embedded in the (a) Water Reform Bill and (b) Transition Plan.

▤ View document · ↗ GOV.UK
26 Feb 2026 | Written question Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs linked direct

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, whether her Department is considering regulatory changes to help improve water infrastructure provision in Buckinghamshire.

Why linked: PQ on regulatory changes for water infrastructure provision (Feb 2026); water company licensing and regulatory mechanisms in scope

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, whether her Department is considering regulatory changes to help improve water infrastructure provision in Buckinghamshire.

▤ View document · ↗ GOV.UK

2025

22 events
1 Dec 2025 | Committee report Department of Health and Social Care linked direct

Letter from the Chair to the Permanent Secretary at the Department for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs relating to a follow up to the Committee’s Forty-second Report on Water sector regulation, 01 December 2025

Why linked: Committee chair correspondence to Defra Permanent Secretary on follow-up to a water-sector inquiry, December 2025 — directly related to pre-legislative scrutiny of the Bill.

Direction: to_committee

▤ View document · ↗ GOV.UK
23 Oct 2025 | Committee report Department of Health and Social Care linked direct

Letter from the Chief Executive of the Environment Agency relating to the Committee’s Forty-Second Report of Session 2024–26 on Water sector regulation – Water company environmental performance, 21 October 2025

Why linked: Environment Agency CEO letter on water sector regulation and water company environmental performance - directly relevant to regulatory mechanisms

Direction: to_committee

▤ View document · ↗ GOV.UK
18 Jul 2025 | Committee report linked direct

Customer trust is at its lowest level since monitoring began in 2011.14 The Consumer Council for Water told us that, according to its survey, environmental performance was the biggest driver of dissatisfaction amongst customers.15 Committee members also drew attention to problems experienced by our constituents, including poor company responses to issues with burst pipes, and sewer flooding in particular.16 Company performance on key metrics, such as supply interruptions and 9 C&AG’s Report, ...

Why linked: Committee evidence on environmental performance and water company accountability; customer trust and company oversight in scope

Customer trust is at its lowest level since monitoring began in 2011.14 The Consumer Council for Water told us that, according to its survey, environmental performance was the biggest driver of dissatisfaction amongst customers.15 Committee members also drew attention to …

▤ View document · ↗ GOV.UK
18 Jul 2025 | Committee report linked direct

We asked the witnesses about water companies’ current environmental performance. Ofwat and the EA are taking enforcement action against every wastewater company for their management of combined sewer overflows. Water quality pollution incidents have increased.47 WildFish highlighted failures in regulation in its written submission, while in its written submission the Office for Environmental Protection set out failures to comply with environmental law by Defra, the EA and Ofwat.48 The EA told...

Why linked: Witness evidence on water companies' environmental performance and Ofwat/EA enforcement action against wastewater companies (July 2025) - substantive scrutiny evidence on regulatory enforcement in scope

We asked the witnesses about water companies’ current environmental performance. Ofwat and the EA are taking enforcement action against every wastewater company for their management of combined sewer overflows. Water quality pollution incidents have increased.47 WildFish highlighted failures in regu

▤ View document · ↗ GOV.UK
18 Jul 2025 | Committee report linked direct

On the basis of a report by the Comptroller and Auditor General, we took evidence from the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra), the Environment Agency (the EA) and the Water Services Regulation Authority (Ofwat) on regulating the water sector.1 We also took evidence from the Chief Executive of Water UK, David Henderson; the Chief Executive of the Consumer Council for Water, Dr Mike Keil; and John Earwaker, Director of First Economics.

Why linked: PAC report with evidence from DEFRA, Environment Agency, and Ofwat on water sector regulation - substantive scrutiny of regulatory framework

On the basis of a report by the Comptroller and Auditor General, we took evidence from the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra), the Environment Agency (the EA) and the Water Services Regulation Authority (Ofwat) on regulating the …

▤ View document · ↗ GOV.UK
18 Jul 2025 | Committee report linked direct

In 2020, the previous Public Accounts Committee recommended that Defra provide an update on how it planned to accelerate the pace of infrastructure improvement, to address the gap between future water supply and demand in England, which was estimated to be 3.6 billion litres per day by 2050.31 Five years later, that gap is now estimated to be 5 billion litres a day by 2050. The regulators have come together to form the Regulators’ Alliance for Progress for Infrastructure Development (RAPID), ...

Why linked: PAC analysis of infrastructure improvement acceleration - relevant to water company investment and sector reform

In 2020, the previous Public Accounts Committee recommended that Defra provide an update on how it planned to accelerate the pace of infrastructure improvement, to address the gap between future water supply and demand in England, which was estimated to …

▤ View document · ↗ GOV.UK
18 Jul 2025 | Committee report linked direct

We asked whose responsibility it is to balance environmental need with affordability. Ofwat told us that there is no formal basis for making trade-offs between affordability and making improvements, nor was there in previous price reviews.87 Defra acknowledged that there had been “deep under-investment” leading to a big jump up now.88 Water UK told us that a former minister had turned down a reservoir application in the past on the basis of “no immediate need”. It also told us that it would h...

Why linked: PAC evidence on balance between environmental need and affordability in regulation - relevant to regulatory powers and company conditions

We asked whose responsibility it is to balance environmental need with affordability. Ofwat told us that there is no formal basis for making trade-offs between affordability and making improvements, nor was there in previous price reviews.87 Defra acknowledged that there …

▤ View document · ↗ GOV.UK
16 Jun 2025 | Committee report linked direct

Environmental regulation and the delivery of a reliable and safe water must be the first priorities of water companies and regulators. Effective regulation, strongly prioritised towards environmental and customer targets, is needed to make these a core part of the culture amongst water companies; it will also need to cover all actors that have the potential to harm water resources. It is important for regulations to be comprehensive and predictable to close any gaps that can allow pollution, ...

Why linked: Parliamentary statement on environmental regulation and water company delivery priorities is relevant to Bill policy intent on oversight and company regulation

Environmental regulation and the delivery of a reliable and safe water must be the first priorities of water companies and regulators. Effective regulation, strongly prioritised towards environmental and customer targets, is needed to make these a core part of the …

▤ View document · ↗ GOV.UK
16 Jun 2025 | Committee report linked direct

The Independent Water Commission should assess how effectively the regulators audit companies, monitor the water environment, and enforce breaches of licences and permits. It should consider whether regulators are leveraging enough fees from the sector to ensure robust, fair and quick monitoring and enforcement of environmental protections. To bring about greater trust in the regulatory system, the Commission should consider whether public standards for monitoring are needed, including a full...

Why linked: Evidence calling for independent water commission assessment of regulator effectiveness and enforcement; regulatory oversight mechanisms in scope

The Independent Water Commission should assess how effectively the regulators audit companies, monitor the water environment, and enforce breaches of licences and permits. It should consider whether regulators are leveraging enough fees from the sector to ensure robust, fair and …

▤ View document · ↗ GOV.UK
13 Jun 2025 | Committee report linked direct

Mismanagement of wastewater and sewage is a serious public health concern and heightens the threat of AMR. Storm overflows involve sewage getting into waterways such as rivers. They increase the prevalence and diversity of resistant pathogens in the environment and are a serious public health concern. In 2016, 862 storm overflow sites were monitored for spills, and they averaged 15 spill events in the year each. By 2023, the number of storm overflow sites monitored had increased to around 14,...

Why linked: Report on wastewater and sewage mismanagement including storm overflows; sewage discharge and CSO reduction strategies in scope

Mismanagement of wastewater and sewage is a serious public health concern and heightens the threat of AMR. Storm overflows involve sewage getting into waterways such as rivers. They increase the prevalence and diversity of resistant pathogens in the environment and …

▤ View document · ↗ GOV.UK
30 Apr 2025 | Written question Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs linked direct

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, with reference to the press notice by Ofwat entitled Ofwat approves £104bn upgrade to accelerate delivery of cleaner rivers and seas and secure long-term drinking water supplies for cu

Why linked: PQ on Ofwat's approval of company business plans — directly engages PR24 envelope and regulator architecture.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, with reference to the press notice by Ofwat entitled Ofwat approves £104bn upgrade to accelerate delivery of cleaner rivers and seas and secure long-term drinking water supplies for …

▤ View document · ↗ GOV.UK
29 Apr 2025 | Written question Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs linked direct

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, if he will bring forward legislative proposals to prevent overseas private equity investment in Thames Water.

Why linked: PQ on legislative proposals for water company ownership regulation (April 2025); water company licensing and governance mechanisms in scope

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, if he will bring forward legislative proposals to prevent overseas private equity investment in Thames Water.

▤ View document · ↗ GOV.UK
29 Apr 2025 | Written question Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs linked direct

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what plans he has to improve enforcement powers against water companies that repeatedly discharge untreated sewage.

Why linked: PQ on enforcement powers against water companies — direct Bill-scope question.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what plans he has to improve enforcement powers against water companies that repeatedly discharge untreated sewage.

▤ View document · ↗ GOV.UK
29 Apr 2025 | Written question Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs linked direct

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, if he will bring forward legislative proposals to criminalise the failure to prevent dumping of sewage into public waterways by water companies.

Why linked: PQ on legislative proposals to criminalise specified failures by water companies — direct Bill-scope question.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, if he will bring forward legislative proposals to criminalise the failure to prevent dumping of sewage into public waterways by water companies.

▤ View document · ↗ GOV.UK
29 Apr 2025 | Written question Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs linked direct

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, if he will bring forward legislative proposals to improve (a) public access, (b) environmental protections and (c) biodiversity enhancement for (i) rivers, (ii) lakes and (iii) other i

Why linked: PQ on legislative proposals to improve public oversight — direct Bill-scope question.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, if he will bring forward legislative proposals to improve (a) public access, (b) environmental protections and (c) biodiversity enhancement for (i) rivers, (ii) lakes and (iii) other i

▤ View document · ↗ GOV.UK
28 Mar 2025 | Written question Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs linked direct

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what steps his Department is taking to reduce sewage discharges into the river Severn.

Why linked: PQ on reducing sewage discharges into River Severn - specific application of sewage discharge reduction policy

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what steps his Department is taking to reduce sewage discharges into the river Severn.

▤ View document · ↗ GOV.UK
27 Mar 2025 | Written question Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs linked direct

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, if he will make an assessment of the potential merits of reinvesting fines collected from water companies in reducing water bills.

Why linked: PQ on reinvesting water company fines in environmental improvement (March 2025); water company enforcement and compliance mechanisms in scope

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, if he will make an assessment of the potential merits of reinvesting fines collected from water companies in reducing water bills.

▤ View document · ↗ GOV.UK
27 Mar 2025 | Written question Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs linked direct

To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the potential merits of using special administration measures to address governance and environmental compliance issues in the water sector.

Why linked: Lords PQ on the potential merits of using special administration measures — directly engages the SAR architecture the Bill inherits.

To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the potential merits of using special administration measures to address governance and environmental compliance issues in the water sector.

▤ View document · ↗ GOV.UK
11 Mar 2025 | Written question Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs linked direct

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, pursuant to the Answer of 13 February to Question 31562 on Sewage: Waste Disposal, what his planned timeline is for the conclusion of the commission to recommend reforms to reset the w

Why linked: PQ on sewage waste disposal timeline - relevant to CSO reduction strategies

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, pursuant to the Answer of 13 February to Question 31562 on Sewage: Waste Disposal, what his planned timeline is for the conclusion of the commission to recommend reforms …

▤ View document · ↗ GOV.UK
28 Feb 2025 | Committee report linked direct

In January 2025, the government announced that it will look to change how infrastructure projects meet their environmental obligations as part of its forthcoming Planning and Infrastructure Bill. It set out that this would include a Nature Restoration Fund which will pool contributions from developers to fund larger strategic interventions by, for example, Natural England. In many cases this should enable infrastructure builders to make a single payment to enable development to proceed. The g...

Why linked: Document on government plans to change environmental obligations for infrastructure projects via Planning and Infrastructure Bill (linked to water sector reform)

In January 2025, the government announced that it will look to change how infrastructure projects meet their environmental obligations as part of its forthcoming Planning and Infrastructure Bill. It set out that this would include a Nature Restoration Fund which …

▤ View document · ↗ GOV.UK
27 Feb 2025 | Written question Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs linked direct

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what steps his Department can take to ensure (a) existing drainage infrastructure is maintained and cleaned to appropriate levels to deal with high water volumes and (b) that future dr

Why linked: PQ on drainage infrastructure maintenance - relevant to water quality and discharge management

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what steps his Department can take to ensure (a) existing drainage infrastructure is maintained and cleaned to appropriate levels to deal with high water volumes and (b) that …

▤ View document · ↗ GOV.UK

2024

8 events
9 May 2024 | Written question Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs linked direct

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment he has made of the impact of sewage discharges into waterways on the health of those using the waterways for water sports between 2019 and 2024.

Why linked: PQ on impact of sewage discharges on water health - relevant to environmental quality and statutory duties

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment he has made of the impact of sewage discharges into waterways on the health of those using the waterways for water sports between 2019 and 2024.

▤ View document · ↗ GOV.UK
23 Apr 2024 | Written question Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs linked direct

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what steps he plans to take to help ensure that Thames Water continues to (a) operate, (b) provide services and (c) keep bills low for customers.

Why linked: PQ on Thames Water operational continuity and service provision (April 2024); water company financial resilience and oversight in scope

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what steps he plans to take to help ensure that Thames Water continues to (a) operate, (b) provide services and (c) keep bills low for customers.

▤ View document · ↗ GOV.UK
2 Apr 2024 | Written question Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs linked direct

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what steps he is taking to improve the quality of water in the River Mersey.

Why linked: PQ on improving water quality in River Mersey - specific application of water quality improvement objectives

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what steps he is taking to improve the quality of water in the River Mersey.

▤ View document · ↗ GOV.UK
25 Mar 2024 | Written question Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs linked direct

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, if he will make an assessment of the potential merits of establishing an independent reporting mechanism for assessing sewage pollution by water companies.

Why linked: PQ on independent reporting mechanism for water sector (March 2024); regulatory oversight and reporting mechanisms in scope

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, if he will make an assessment of the potential merits of establishing an independent reporting mechanism for assessing sewage pollution by water companies.

▤ View document · ↗ GOV.UK
11 Mar 2024 | Written question Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs linked direct

To ask His Majesty's Government what plans they have to direct the Environment Agency to revise all permits issued in respect of water company sewage discharges under the Environmental Permitting (England and Wales) Regulations 2016, so that those permits

Why linked: Parliamentary written question on Environment Agency permits for water company sewage discharges – directly relevant to CSO reduction and water company enforcement in scope

To ask His Majesty's Government what plans they have to direct the Environment Agency to revise all permits issued in respect of water company sewage discharges under the Environmental Permitting (England and Wales) Regulations 2016, so that those permits

▤ View document · ↗ GOV.UK
8 Mar 2024 | Written question Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs linked direct

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, if he will (a) take steps to set targets for water companies to end sewage releases and (b) ensure that water companies invest in infrastructure.

Why linked: PQ on setting targets for water companies to end sewage discharges — core policy commitment under the Bill.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, if he will (a) take steps to set targets for water companies to end sewage releases and (b) ensure that water companies invest in infrastructure.

▤ View document · ↗ GOV.UK
26 Feb 2024 | Written question Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs linked direct

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, if he will publish the (a) attendance at and (b) minutes of his meeting with water company executives on 23 January 2024.

Why linked: PQ on DEFRA meetings with water executives (2024); water company oversight and regulatory engagement in scope

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, if he will publish the (a) attendance at and (b) minutes of his meeting with water company executives on 23 January 2024.

▤ View document · ↗ GOV.UK
22 Feb 2024 | Written question Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs linked direct

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what steps he is taking to help improve water quality in (a) Enfield North Constituency, (b) the London Borough of Enfield, and (c) London.

Why linked: PQ on improving water quality in specific areas - relevant to environmental standards and quality objectives

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what steps he is taking to help improve water quality in (a) Enfield North Constituency, (b) the London Borough of Enfield, and (c) London.

▤ View document · ↗ GOV.UK

2023

2 events

2022

17 events
14 Dec 2022 | Written question Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs linked direct

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, if she will bring forward proposals to increase the Environment Agency's minimum civil fine for each breach of the rules by water companies to £250 million.

Why linked: PQ on increasing Environment Agency civil fines for breaches - relevant to regulatory enforcement mechanisms

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, if she will bring forward proposals to increase the Environment Agency's minimum civil fine for each breach of the rules by water companies to £250 million.

▤ View document · ↗ GOV.UK
2 Dec 2022 | Written question Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs linked direct

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, if he will make it his policy to introduce additional penalties for water companies that miss pollution incident reduction targets consistently over 5 years.

Why linked: PQ on penalties for water companies missing pollution incident targets - relevant to regulatory enforcement and company conditions

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, if he will make it his policy to introduce additional penalties for water companies that miss pollution incident reduction targets consistently over 5 years.

▤ View document · ↗ GOV.UK
3 Oct 2022 | Written question Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs linked direct

To ask Her Majesty's Government what discussions they have had with (1) Ofwat, and (2) the Environment Agency, in 2022 about (a) leakages of potable water, (b) sewage discharge into rivers and seas, (c) shareholder dividends, (d) executive bonuses, and (e

Why linked: PQ on government discussions with Ofwat and EA on leakage and sewage discharge (2022); water company oversight and environmental compliance in scope

To ask Her Majesty's Government what discussions they have had with (1) Ofwat, and (2) the Environment Agency, in 2022 about (a) leakages of potable water, (b) sewage discharge into rivers and seas, (c) shareholder dividends, (d) executive bonuses, and …

▤ View document · ↗ GOV.UK
13 Jan 2022 | Committee report linked direct

We have heard disturbing evidence that sewage treatment works and the rivers that they discharge into are becoming breeding grounds for antimicrobial resistance. There will need to be cross-sector collaboration to reduce the growth of antimicrobial resistance genes in rivers. Following the work streams of the Pathogen Surveillance in Agriculture, Food and the Environment programme on antimicrobial resistance, we 120 Water quality in rivers recommend that the Government bring together farming ...

Why linked: Parliamentary report on antimicrobial resistance in sewage treatment; water quality concern but public health/AMR angle secondary to core bill scope

We have heard disturbing evidence that sewage treatment works and the rivers that they discharge into are becoming breeding grounds for antimicrobial resistance. There will need to be cross-sector collaboration to reduce the growth of antimicrobial resistance genes in rivers. …

▤ View document · ↗ GOV.UK
13 Jan 2022 | Committee report linked direct

The agricultural sector has a responsibility for improving water quality in rivers, just as the water industry and other stakeholders do. The Farming Rules for Water ought to be amended over time so as to reduce phosphorus surpluses in land and water and thereby improve water quality. This must be done in a way that promotes cooperation from farmers. The Environment Agency must recognise the impact on the sector of rule changes made with insufficient notice or options for mitigation.

Why linked: Parliamentary report on agricultural responsibility for water quality; broader multi-sector pollution reduction but secondary to water company reform

The agricultural sector has a responsibility for improving water quality in rivers, just as the water industry and other stakeholders do. The Farming Rules for Water ought to be amended over time so as to reduce phosphorus surpluses in land …

▤ View document · ↗ GOV.UK
13 Jan 2022 | Committee report linked direct

We recommend that the water industry work urgently with the Environment Agency and the farming sector to assess and mitigate the clear risk of microplastic pollution from this practice, and to develop a comprehensive plan for the separation of microplastics from biosolids at wastewater treatment works. (Paragraph 129) Sewage pollution

Why linked: Parliamentary report on microplastic pollution from agricultural practices; water quality pollution source control but secondary focus

We recommend that the water industry work urgently with the Environment Agency and the farming sector to assess and mitigate the clear risk of microplastic pollution from this practice, and to develop a comprehensive plan for the separation of microplastics …

▤ View document · ↗ GOV.UK
13 Jan 2022 | Committee report linked direct

We welcome the statutory provisions in the Environment Act 2021 to monitor water quality upstream and downstream of sewer outflows, and for annual reporting on storm overflow discharges. We also welcome the requirement for water companies to report on the volume where information is available, but we regret that there is as yet no timetable for the roll-out of volume monitors across wastewater treatment works, especially to those works which have a history of spills.

Why linked: Parliamentary report welcoming Environment Act 2021 provisions on water quality monitoring and storm overflow reporting; statutory framework in scope

We welcome the statutory provisions in the Environment Act 2021 to monitor water quality upstream and downstream of sewer outflows, and for annual reporting on storm overflow discharges. We also welcome the requirement for water companies to report on the …

▤ View document · ↗ GOV.UK
13 Jan 2022 | Committee report linked direct

We note that the Environment Agency does not consider any use of storm overflows to be a pollution incident: discharges from overflows are classed as permitted discharges as long as they comply with the terms of the relevant permit. This is unlikely to incentivise overall reductions in discharges. We recommend that the 124 Water quality in rivers Environment Agency reclassify significant sewage spills from storm overflows into watercourses in dry weather as pollution incidents, irrespective o...

Why linked: Parliamentary report on storm overflow permitting and regulatory treatment; sewage discharge and CSO reduction strategies explicitly in scope

We note that the Environment Agency does not consider any use of storm overflows to be a pollution incident: discharges from overflows are classed as permitted discharges as long as they comply with the terms of the relevant permit. This …

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13 Jan 2022 | Committee report linked direct

We have identified multiple potential points of failure in the regulatory arrangements for monitoring, governance and enforcement of water quality. The Southern Water case has given rise to obvious and urgent questions about the system of operator self- monitoring and Environment Agency compliance monitoring. Given the duration of time when misreporting and large spills were routine at Southern Water, we cannot discount the possibility that similar practices have been occurring undetected at ...

Why linked: Parliamentary report identifying regulatory failures in water quality monitoring, governance and enforcement; directly supports Cunliffe review follow-up on regulatory oversight

We have identified multiple potential points of failure in the regulatory arrangements for monitoring, governance and enforcement of water quality. The Southern Water case has given rise to obvious and urgent questions about the system of operator self- monitoring and …

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13 Jan 2022 | Committee report linked direct

We welcome the investigation recently launched by the Environment Agency and Ofwat into permit compliance at sewage treatment works, following evidence presented to us indicating that the numbers of permit breaches may be far higher than disclosed by water companies under self-reporting arrangements. We look forward to examining the findings of the investigation.

Why linked: Parliamentary evidence on Environment Agency and Ofwat investigation into sewage treatment permit compliance is directly relevant to water company oversight and enforcement

We welcome the investigation recently launched by the Environment Agency and Ofwat into permit compliance at sewage treatment works, following evidence presented to us indicating that the numbers of permit breaches may be far higher than disclosed by water companies …

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13 Jan 2022 | Committee report linked direct

We recommend that the Environment Agency urgently review its practices in auditing the self-monitoring of wastewater treatment works by water companies. The Agency should also review its approach to enforcement and seek to reduce the interval between detection of permit breaches and prosecution.

Why linked: Parliamentary recommendation on Environment Agency auditing of wastewater treatment self-monitoring directly supports regulatory reform within Clean Water Bill scope

We recommend that the Environment Agency urgently review its practices in auditing the self-monitoring of wastewater treatment works by water companies. The Agency should also review its approach to enforcement and seek to reduce the interval between detection of permit …

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13 Jan 2022 | Committee report linked direct

We recommend that Ministers and the Environment Agency should set challenging improvement targets and timetables for this progressive reduction to inform the drainage and sewage management plans to be drawn up by each water company. The first round of these plans should clearly indicate significant ambition, by setting a stretching timetable for progressive reductions in the use of overflows. (Paragraph 243) Surface drainage and urban pollution

Why linked: Parliamentary report on improvement targets and timetables for pollution reduction informed by drainage and sewage management; statutory targets and water company compliance in scope

We recommend that Ministers and the Environment Agency should set challenging improvement targets and timetables for this progressive reduction to inform the drainage and sewage management plans to be drawn up by each water company. The first round of these …

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13 Jan 2022 | Committee report linked direct

The use of plastic in single use sanitary products should be prohibited, with exemptions only provided for medical requirements. We urge the Government to adopt the measures outlined in the Plastics (Wet Wipes) Bill to prohibit the manufacture and sale of single use cleaning and hygiene products containing plastic. The Government should further incentivise the reduction of waste and recoup costs by using new powers in the Environment Act to extend Extended Producer Responsibility schemes to c...

Why linked: Report on single-use plastic in sanitary products prohibition; water pollution source control but secondary to core bill focus

The use of plastic in single use sanitary products should be prohibited, with exemptions only provided for medical requirements. We urge the Government to adopt the measures outlined in the Plastics (Wet Wipes) Bill to prohibit the manufacture and sale …

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13 Jan 2022 | Committee report linked direct

We are disappointed by the apparent lack of regulatory oversight of the risks of water pollution from road run-off. We therefore recommend that the Environment Agency require discharge permits for all outfalls on roads with annual average daily traffic above 15,000 vehicles, establishing strict conditions for their management, so as to minimise pollution from run-off.

Why linked: Parliamentary report on regulatory oversight of water pollution from road run-off; Environment Agency enforcement mechanisms in scope

We are disappointed by the apparent lack of regulatory oversight of the risks of water pollution from road run-off. We therefore recommend that the Environment Agency require discharge permits for all outfalls on roads with annual average daily traffic above …

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13 Jan 2022 | Committee report linked direct

We recommend that the level of financial support provided to the Environment Agency be reviewed as a matter of urgency in the light of its new statutory responsibilities and the scale of the regulatory task it faces, recognising its continued need for efficiency. Water quality in rivers 129 We further recommend that the Environment Agency, the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs and the Treasury review the relevant provisions of the Agency’s environmental permitting cha...

Why linked: Environment Agency funding review recommendation (2022); Environment Agency oversight and statutory responsibilities directly relevant to regulatory strengthening

We recommend that the level of financial support provided to the Environment Agency be reviewed as a matter of urgency in the light of its new statutory responsibilities and the scale of the regulatory task it faces, recognising its continued …

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13 Jan 2022 | Committee report linked direct

Pollution across river catchments must be progressively reduced from all sources in the catchment until it does not exceed the capacity of the land and the rivers to handle the nutrients. We therefore recommend that DEFRA direct the Environment Agency and Natural England to calculate nutrient budgets for each river catchment in England.

Why linked: Parliamentary report on pollution reduction across river catchments; statutory pollution targets and water quality standards as per interpreted scope

Pollution across river catchments must be progressively reduced from all sources in the catchment until it does not exceed the capacity of the land and the rivers to handle the nutrients. We therefore recommend that DEFRA direct the Environment Agency …

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13 Jan 2022 | Committee report linked direct

The new Office for Environmental Protection, established under the Environment Act 2021, is empowered to make highly significant contributions to the achievement 128 Water quality in rivers of the Government’s environmental objectives in general, and to the improvement of water quality in rivers in particular. We encourage the Office for Environmental Protection to take account of the relevant conclusions and recommendations of this report when planning the Office’s work on water quality, and...

Why linked: Research material on Office for Environmental Protection role in water quality achievement; relevant to regulatory oversight framework Clean Water Bill establishes.

The new Office for Environmental Protection, established under the Environment Act 2021, is empowered to make highly significant contributions to the achievement 128 Water quality in rivers of the Government’s environmental objectives in general, and to the improvement of water …

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2021

3 events
15 Jun 2021 | Written question Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs linked direct

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what steps he is taking to help ensure that private water companies are held accountable for illegal dumping of untreated sewage into rivers across the UK.

Why linked: PQ on private water company accountability for illegal dumping (2021); water company enforcement and environmental compliance in scope

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what steps he is taking to help ensure that private water companies are held accountable for illegal dumping of untreated sewage into rivers across the UK.

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21 May 2021 | Written question Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs linked direct

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what steps his Department is taking to reduce the amount of raw sewage being discharged into the UK's waterways.

Why linked: PQ on reducing raw sewage discharge (2021); sewage discharge and CSO reduction explicitly in scope

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what steps his Department is taking to reduce the amount of raw sewage being discharged into the UK's waterways.

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26 Apr 2021 | Written question Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs linked direct

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what recent discussions he has had with water companies on the discharging of raw sewage into English rivers.

Why linked: PQ on water company sewage discharge discussions - relevant to regulatory oversight and company accountability

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what recent discussions he has had with water companies on the discharging of raw sewage into English rivers.

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