News
Water White Paper published
The overdue Water White Paper has now been unveiled by government gaining a generally positive response from the industry.
The Water for Life paper which was originally scheduled for release in July sets out plans to reform the UK water industry in line with meeting increasing environmental and water stress demands.
Speaking at the White Paper launch the Environment Secretary Caroline Spelman warned that Britain is already facing water scarcity in some areas and environment damage as a result of over abstraction. Key points in the paper outlined measures to expand competition for business customers among water companies, Ms Spelman also stated that she wants to knock down barriers stopping new businesses getting into the water market.
In addition, she added that severe weather events, population growth and the need to grow more food have all put more pressure on water supplies and will continue to do so. Ms Spelman stated ” Currently we enjoy clean water at the turn of a tap and watch it drain away without a thought, but parts of England actually have less rainfall per person than many Mediterranean countries. Making sure we have got enough water for everyone is going to be one of the major challenges this country will have to deal with in the years ahead. We can already see the type of problems we may face with parts of Britain still in drought even though were in December. With water expected to be less predictable as time goes on we all have to play our part in ensuring our water supply remains secure”.
Other key points focused on in the paper include the future challenges faced by the water sector such as maintaining water supplies and water costs. Plans to encourage water efficiency measures under the Green Deal were also introduced as well as a new campaign which aims to encourage water efficiency and get communities on board to help improve the health of local rivers which will launch in the New Year.
Meanwhile plans to introduce a reformed water abstraction regime were covered – slightly at odds with plans to introduce one year abstraction licenses for businesses. According to the paper a draft water bill is set to be published in early 2012 with the introduction of a water bill as soon as parliament allows, while plans to consult on the proposals are expected in early 2013, with the aim of introducing legislation to reform the regime early in the next parliament.
Overall the paper was welcomed with the Environment Agency (EA) saying it “sets out clear objectives for delivering future water management in response to the potential pressures of climate change and population growth”.