Overview

This bill aims to legally obligate water companies in England to prevent the discharge of untreated sewage into rivers and other inland waterways. It mandates specific actions from water companies, including improved monitoring and reporting, and sets up a framework for government oversight and reporting on company performance.

Description

The bill amends the Water Industry Act 1991. It introduces a new duty on water companies in England to take all reasonable steps to prevent untreated sewage discharge into inland waters. This includes:

• Maintaining and publishing a register of combined sewer overflows (CSOs) and other assets that may discharge untreated sewage.
• Publishing biannual reports on the operational status of these assets.
• Installing continuous monitoring of all untreated sewage discharges and publishing the data.
• Publishing annual reports on the quality and duration of discharges from CSOs and other assets.
• Including in drainage and wastewater management plans steps to install nature-based treatments where feasible and reduce reliance on CSOs.
• Meeting any requirements specified by the Secretary of State.

The Secretary of State, the Authority, and the Environment Agency must work to ensure compliance. The Secretary of State must also submit annual reports to Parliament on measures taken to assist water companies and on their performance against this duty.

Government Spending

The bill doesn't specify direct government spending figures. However, the government will incur costs associated with overseeing compliance, producing reports, and potentially supporting water companies in meeting the new requirements. The exact financial implications are not detailed in the bill text.

Groups Affected

• Water companies: They face new legal obligations, potentially requiring significant investment in infrastructure and monitoring to comply. This could impact their operational costs and profitability.
• The Environment Agency: Increased responsibility for monitoring and enforcement.
• The Secretary of State: Responsibility for reporting to Parliament and setting regulations.
• Rivers and inland waterways: The bill aims to improve their water quality and ecological health by reducing sewage pollution.
• The public: May benefit from cleaner rivers and improved environmental conditions.

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