The Government announced its strictest ever targets for water companies, in a plan to tackle the unacceptable sewage discharges in our nation’s waterways.
Dr Neil Hudson, MP for Penrith and The Border, welcomed the plan which will revolutionise the UK’s Victorian infrastructure following his tireless campaigning on the issue. A £56 billion capital investment scheme over the next 25 years will tackle the problem of storm sewage discharges by 2050. Failure to meet these targets could see water companies face substantial fines or having to return money to customers. This is the first ever Government to require water companies take action.
Storm overflows were introduced as a safety valve for combined sewage systems. Now, under pressure from climate change and population growth, water companies use them far too often, threatening the environment and sea users.
The Cumbrian MP has repeatedly stood up on this issue in parliament, probed the problem in his role on the EFRA Select Committee and pressed Ministers to take action on the issue. This has included Dr Hudson quizzing incoming Chairs of the Environment Agency and Ofwat – both bodies involved in regulating water companies and our waterways.
Closer to home he has also met with Eden Rivers and the Environment Agency trust to discuss work being done on the ground in Penrith and The Border.
Dr Neil Hudson, MP for Penrith and The Border, said:
“This is a great win for our precious environment and I congratulate the Government of being the first to take action against water companies and their unacceptable sewage discharges. I'm so pleased the Government has today has responded to my and my parliamentary colleagues’ calls for action and announced the toughest crackdown on sewage discharges in our nation's history.
“On a personal level, I’m delighted that the Government has set out a comprehensive plan to tackle the problem and after I’ve raised the issue on so many occasions, in Parliament, on the EFRA Committee and in discussions and letters to Ministers.
“For all of us here in beautiful Cumbria, I’m so aware of just how important our precious natural landscapes are, and these measures will see us leave them in a better place than we found them.”
Environment Secretary George Eustice said:
“This is the first government to take action to end the environmental damage caused by sewage spills. We will require water companies to protect everyone who uses our water for recreation, and ensure storm overflows pose no threat to the environment.
“Water companies will need to invest to stop unacceptable sewage spills so our rivers and coast lines can have greater protection than ever before.”
The Government has been clear that companies cannot profit from environmental damage, and Dr Hudson voted for measures in the Environment Act to give more powers to Ofwat, the water company regulator, to enforce that. Ofwat is now consulting on measures that would ensure that water companies are transparent about how executive pay and dividends align to the delivery of services to customers, including environmental performance.
The plan will be reviewed in 2027 to consider where the Government can push further, taking into account of innovation and efficiencies. In addition, the plan sets out our wider expectations for the water industry, to ensure their infrastructure keeps pace with increasing external pressures, such as urban growth and climate change, to ensure our water supplies remain clean and secure for the future.
These plans strike the right balance between the need for investment and the impact on consumers. Under this plan there will be no changes to bills until 2025. The Government has ruled out options which could add up to £817 a year to average household water bills. The government will continue to monitor water affordability and take further action if needed, and will consult on a new water affordability scheme to help less well-off households.
Notes:
- The plan will be reviewed in 2027 to consider where the programme can be accelerated, taking account of innovation and efficiencies and how the programme is impacting bills. Under this plan there will be no changes to bills until 2025.
- This plan builds on £3.1 billion investment from water companies to improve storm overflows between 2020 and 2025
- A raft of measures have also been brought forward in the Environment Act to tackle sewage discharges, including the requirement for greater transparency from water companies on their storm overflow data.
- There have been 54 prosecutions against water companies since 2015, securing fines of nearly £140 million.
