Conserving the natural environment must be mainstream for water companies
Water companies must not dilute their efforts to improve the natural environment, Natural England has told water companies.
Speaking to the directors of some of England’s largest water companies, Dr Helen Phillips, Chief Executive of Natural England, said: “The current review of water pricing is a real chance for the water industry to mainstream the conservation and enhancement of the natural environment.
"Environmental improvements delivered by water companies over recent years are starting to make a difference both for customers and for the natural environment in England. We are encouraged by the extent to which such measures are now reflected in many water companies’ long term plans but there is still more that could be done.
Natural England is offering to work with water companies to help them adopt a ‘catchment based’ approach where possible, tackling a range of water quality and water resource problems at source, rather than relying exclusively on end-of-pipe solutions. This will also help to address the industry’s large carbon footprint by shifting away from its reliance on energy intensive water and sewerage treatment options.
Helen Phillips continued: “This is working successfully in the Trough of Bowland in Lancashire and the Peak District where work is underway to restore 20,000 hectares of land owned by United Utilities which has suffered from overgrazing and drainage of blanket bogs and upland heath. This project* will help achieve targets for species such as hen harriers and breeding waders. Natural England would like to see the scope of these schemes extended to include land outside of water company ownership.
“The necessary control of price rises for today’s customers must not be at the expense of the rights of future generations to clean water and a healthy water environment,” concluded Helen Phillips.
