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15 October 2008
Natural England, the government’s independent advisor on wildlife, today called on water companies to sharpen up their draft business plans to ensure that the Review of Water Pricing for the next five years (the PR09 Review) delivers on its potential to benefit the environment.
Natural England has reviewed the draft business plans submitted by England’s water companies to assess how they measure up on protecting the environment.
Overall, the plans show a mixed awareness of the natural environment. But, on the plus side, there is growing recognition of the need to manage water resources by looking after entire catchments rather than selected hotspots. By helping to resolve water quality problems at source and avoiding investment in expensive and energy intensive “end of pipe” solutions, catchment management benefits the customer and water companies as well as the environment.
Helen Phillips, Natural England’s Chief Executive, said: “We are really encouraged that the majority of companies have catchment proposals in their draft business plans. Catchment schemes represent the new, innovative and enlightened way of thinking regarding cutting pollution at source and offer a wide range of benefits for consumers, companies and the environment.”
However, while the overall picture is encouraging, some water companies have failed to embrace the concept of catchment schemes in their plans, raising concerns about their ability to deliver wider environmental gains.
Helen Phillips continued: “Healthy water systems provide enormous benefit to people and the natural environment. As part of the current pricing review, important decisions need to be made, not only about how water is charged, but also about how the environmental quality of our water systems can be improved. All water companies will need to ensure that the environmental importance of our water systems is fully recognised in their final plans”.
For further information contact: The National Press Office on 0845 603 9953, press@naturalengland.org.uk, out of hours 07970 098005. For further information about Natural England please visit: www.naturalengland.org.uk
Notes for editors:
Natural England works for people, places and nature to conserve and enhance biodiversity, landscapes and wildlife in rural, urban, coastal and marine areas. We conserve and enhance the natural environment for its intrinsic value, the wellbeing and enjoyment of people, and the economic prosperity it brings.
Natural England has supported a number of recent projects – including the recently launched Wetland Vision Partnership (www.wetlandvision.org.uk) - that look to influence land management at a landscape scale. Natural England has also worked closely with Defra and the Environment Agency in the development of the England Catchment Sensitive Farming Delivery Initiative which looks to help landowners manage water resources across selected catchment areas.
Natural England’s Approach to PR09
Natural England has outlined the following principles that will inform its review of water company business plans.
Taking a long-term perspective
We need a water industry that is responsive to the challenges and uncertainties of climate change by being more sustainable, meeting its needs in more innovative ways, and adopting less energy intensive solutions.
Working in partnership with key stakeholders
The case for the natural environment will be stronger if we combine our efforts with others, support the priorities of our partners, and find common ground for action.
Working in the long-term interests of consumers and the environment
We will work with our partners to undertake research to ensure that the interests of consumers are understood and that they are met cost-effectively and sustainably.
We will be joined-up in our own approach
Our role in PR09 will complement our work in other key areas including catchment sensitive farming, environmental stewardship, wetland restoration and habitat creation.
We will ensure that our top wildlife areas are effectively protected
Water companies must be able to take the required action to meet their statutory obligations to secure the essential water quality and water resource needs of designated sites including the Natura 2000 series of European sites (SPAs and SACs) and England’s most important places for wildlife (SSSIs).
We will support water company action to help biodiversity
Water companies have a statutory role to meet the needs of the most important habitats and species on their estate. We will support them in securing the necessary funding through PR09 to deliver such schemes.
We will champion the importance of integrated catchment-based measures
A key challenge for PR09 is to foster a major shift towards upstream land management-based solutions in catchments to tackle raw water quality and water resource problems alongside other public benefits such as designated site condition, biodiversity improvements, improved carbon management, and better flood risk management. We will work with partners on the ground in the design and implementation of such schemes and with our fellow regulators to ensure they are funded appropriately.
