Thames21’s response to the Independent Water Commission report led by Sir Jon Cunliffe

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Responding to the Independent Water Commission report led by Sir Jon Cunliffe, Chris Coode, CEO at environmental charity Thames21, said:

“Thames21 welcomes this report, which has 88 recommendations on how to transform our broken water system in England and Wales. However, Defra must now take action and produce a clear timetable on the delivery of these recommendations.

We are especially pleased to see recognition of the power of local catchment partnerships.  This is a proven way to bring communities, councils, charities, and businesses together to tackle water challenges. The recommendation for more funding to support this joined-up planning is a vital step forward.

The proposal for a new regional water system planning authority for the Thames is also positive.  It will aim to give greater decision-making responsibility over water investment planning to people, organisations and authorities with a stake in their local water systems.

Recommendations also include infrastructure reforms for water companies to map their assets, public health reforms to better manage public health risks in water and a stronger monitoring system.

We welcome the call for a clearer framework to help regulators approve more innovative and nature-based solutions, such as wetlands and green spaces to improve our rivers and water quality.

It’s great to see citizen scientists recognised for their role in monitoring river health. We welcome the report’s recommendation for a comprehensive monitoring programme which is “adequately resourced”.

The report leaves some questions unanswered.  It is unclear what scrapping Ofwat will mean for the industry. What is clear is that we need an effective regulator that seeks a good balance between delivering for customers and protecting the environment – not old wine in new bottles.

Finally, we agree that sustained investment must remain high if the water sector is to meet the challenges of climate change, population growth and pressures on land use. Thames21 has long called for greater investment in sewage treatment and infrastructure to stop pollution at its source.

There needs to be concerted efforts to protect rivers across London and The Thames Basin from the damage caused by sewage, road runoff, plastic pollution, agricultural pollution, and the threat of droughts and floods brought on by the climate emergency.

These recommendations offer to improve the lives of Londoners through better quality rivers and blue-green infrastructure.

While we very much welcome these ambitions, we now need to see the government act swiftly on these recommendations to bring about the change we so desperately need to see.”

Read full Cunliffe report here: https://www.gov.uk/government/news/roadmap-to-rebuild-trust-in-water-sector-unveiled-in-major-new-report