CPRE Sussex welcomes Water White Paper but systematic failings need action

CPRE Sussex welcomes the government’s new White Paper on water but says that it doesn’t go far enough to address systemic failings.

The government’s changes have some positive elements but lack detail and urgency.

CPRE Sussex, members of the Wildlife and Countryside Link (England’s largest environment and wildlife coalition), stand with their statement that “more must be done to repair the damage caused by years of bad practice.”

Sussex residents have suffered outrageously at the hands of water companies: thousands left without water, poisonous wastewater microbeads washing up on Sussex shores, as well as serious sewage spills into waterways and across the sea shore.

Wildlife and Countryside Link’s CEO, Richard Benwell said:

“Clamping down on water company inaction is good, but it’s not enough to meet public demand for rivers, lakes, and seas that are clean, healthy, and safe.

“If this Government is to deliver the once-in-a-generation change that ministers promise, then the big polluting sectors must all be shaken up…and the new regulator must rigorously police water companies, acting in the public interest rather than prioritising private profit.

“This Government has one chance in this Parliament to meet public demand for clean water. Success would bring public health, environmental recovery, and economic resilience. Defra must not stop with its White Paper proposals but take decisive action for clean water now.”

Read: www.gov.uk/government/publications/a-new-vision-for-water-white-paper