Have your say on the strategic management of our waters and the water industry
The Independent Water Commission has launched a call for evidence - seeking views in relation to the water sector in England and Wales. The deadline to take part is 23 April, with recommendations made to the UK and Welsh governments by June. Here in this Q&A – our experts explain what this is all about, to help you have an informed understanding if you want to make your views heard – and how we at the Marine Conservation Society are responding.
What is the Independent Water Commission?
The Independent Water Commission (or IWC for short) was established in October 2024 by the UK Government to recommend how the water sector could be reformed in England and Wales. Its ambition is to ‘create a climate resilient and secure water sector that continues to have world-leading drinking water quality and delivers on our government’s priorities for public health, enjoyment of our waters, the natural environment, economic growth and food security.'
Why is it running a consultation and who can take part?
The IWC is seeking views and evidence on the issues faced by the water sector in England and Wales and will take these into account when they make recommendations. Anybody from water companies, academics, charities and individuals can respond.
What sort of questions does the consultation ask?
The consultation is very long, 293 pages with 73 questions! But you don’t have to read the whole document or answer all the questions for your views to be included. There’s a range of questions covering topics like management of the water environment, the water industry, regulators, customer bills and protecting the environment.
What will the Marine Conservation Society ask for in their response?
We’ll focus on water sector issues affecting the marine environment the most. We will focus on addressing issues such as the monitoring of pollutants in sewage discharges, measures to stop pollutants, particularly ‘forever chemicals’ like PFAS. We will also address issues allowing microplastics getting into the sewerage network in the first place and highlight other actions which can improve coastal water quality, particularly in bathing waters, shellfish waters and marine protected areas.
Is a future where the environment sits at the heart of the water industry possible?
Yes, it has to be. The water environment is core to everything that the water industry does. We can’t have clean, safe drinking water without a healthy water environment. The water system needs to be reformed and the environment put at the heart of decision making. This must lead to putting in place plans to tackle all sources of water pollution, including sewage, agriculture and road run-off, particularly for persistent chemicals and microplastics.
Regulators need to have the necessary powers and funding to enforce laws to stop pollution and hold polluters to account. To fully understand the true impact of pollutants on ocean health, improved monitoring programmes need to be put in place, which can also monitor the success of any measures put in place to stop pollution. Ultimately, we want to see a clear downward trend in pollutants in our seas.
Can I answer the consultation as a member of the public?
Yes, anybody can answer the consultation and since most members of the public are water company customers, your views are important.
How can I take part?
The consultation is being held online on the Department for Environment Food and Rural Affairs website and is open until 23rd April. You can find out more information and submit your views at: Independent Water Commission – Call for Evidence - Defra - Citizen Space
Is there any other way I can show my support or get involved?
If the full consultation is a bit overwhelming, then don’t worry, you don’t have to answer all the questions. Even answering just the first main question on how you would like the water system to look in the future would be useful. But you might also find that you can answer some of the questions about customer bills from Questions 35 – 40.
But there are other things you can do too, like write to your local MP or Members of Senedd, raising your concerns about how water quality impacts the coastal marine environment and/or encouraging them to respond to the consultation, reflecting concerns for the marine environment.
We recently responded to a Scottish Water consultation on their Long-Term Strategy. If you live in Scotland and Northern Ireland, we will keep you updated about future opportunities to have your say on how water is managed here.
