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 October 2008 - News release - Water friendly farming initiative targets new catchments
- 22 September 2008 - Statutory Social and Environmental Guidance to Ofwat
- 11 August 2008 - Consultation on The Private Water Supplies (England) Regulations 2008
- 4 August 2008 – information about Anna Walker’s independent review of water charging
- 13 June 2008 – stakeholders publish consumer research on priorities for PR09
- 28 May 2008 - consultation on transposition of the new Groundwater Directive
- 25 April 2008 - information about Professor Martin Cave's independent review of competition and innovation in water markets
- 17 March 2008 – Government response on way forward following consultation on diffuse sources in England for the protection of waters against pollution from agriculture
Contacts
External sites
Page last modified 29 October 2008