Today the Secretary of State for the Environment, Thérese Coffey, launched the Government's Plan for Water which sets out a number of policies to transform the water and sewage system in England.
Dean had previously written to the Environment Agency to understand what measures they are taking to monitor storm overflows and tackle companies discharging sewage into our waterways, and also Thames Water who deal with the sewage in Watford to understand how they are reducing their reliance on storm overflows.
The plans instruct water companies to undertake a raft of measures which will lead to improved water quality, a new water restoration fund, more water company inspections and proposals to ban the use of plastic in wet wipes.
Funding for farmers under the Slurry Infrastructure Grant will double to £34 million pounds which will help to reduce farm nutrient pollution. We will also see a second round of the Water Management Grant which will support farmers with food production which will help them to store more water on their land.
Following the announcement, Dean said, 'I was very pleased to hear the announcement which allows for unlimited penalties for water companies and tighter control over water company dividend payments.
Improving the quality and quantity of water in our environment is a government priority. The Plan for Water will mean that we can use our water more sustainably and leave more in the environment for our precious chalk streams and water dependent habitats.
Our water environment is impacted by an increasing population, Victorian infrastructure and pressure on our drainage system. As I’ve said before the current use of sewage overflows by water companies is unacceptable, which is why the Government launched a plan to tackle them.”
The focus will clearly be on improved water quality, increased sanctions for companies who damage the environment, and also new proposals to restrict 'forever' chemicals which pollute our rivers. The important Water Restoration Fund will ensure that money from water companies fines and penalties, which will be taken from company profits, will be ring fenced and spent directly on restoring the water environment.
A number of constituents have spoken to me in recent months about their concerns regarding their water quality and I am sure these proposals will be well received.”
