The announcement by the government of an independent commission to look at the largest review of the water sector since privatisation has been welcomed by BSAC and partners in the Clean Water Sports Alliance.
The commission will have an independent chair, Sir Jon Cunliffe, a former deputy governor of the Bank of England. He will be supported by advisers with a range of expertise in the water sector, including the environment.
This new commission is part of the new government's commitment to clean up the water services industry and comes alongside the Water (Special Measures) Bill that is currently being debated in parliament. The commission will report its findings back to the government next year. The commission will take expert evidence and there will be opportunities for public engagement and a public consultation.
It will look at a range of issues that need to be addressed to fix the broken water sector, including: ensuring the water industry delivers best value for environment, public health, consumers, and the economy; taking a strategic approach to planning how we manage water pollution and water supply at a catchment level; ensure water regulators are effective in holding water companies to account; and ensure water companies are financially and operational resilient with secure infrastructure that is maintained over the long term.
In doing this, they will take account of the interest of consumers, the public, and those who enjoy the water environment, to help build public trust in water companies.
While this commission is only looking at the water industry and its regulators, it is important the government does two things; firstly, it takes forward the commission’s recommendations and secondly, it looks across government at all the other pressures on our water environment from agriculture, to road run off, to how we can ensure a revised planning system supports a healthy environment.
The government’s ambitions for growth are welcome, but our water environment must not be the price that is paid for that ambition.
Mary Tetley, BSAC CEO said:
We are delighted that the issue of water pollution in our rivers and around our shores is being taken seriously by government. As custodians of the sea BSAC members tell us how important the natural environment is to them. With our partners in the Clean Water Sports Alliance BSAC will continue to campaign for change and accountability in the water sector, beginning with the March for Clean Water on 3rd November.
BSAC and the Clean Water Sports Alliance
The Clean Water Sports Alliance represents 11 National Governing Bodies of sport, to clean up water in the UK. It represents 450,000 members, athletes and millions of participants and water users who are impacted each and every day by poor water quality and pollution. BSAC joined the Alliance in September 2024.
The Alliance was shortlisted for the Grassroots Sports Organisation of the Year as athletes and groups working hard to enact and inspire change were celebrated.
Join BSAC on the March for Clean Water
Help protect our rivers and seas - add your voice and demand change on Sunday 3rd November in London.
