Protection for 24 more ‘at risk’ rivers, lakes and coastal waters
Posted: Tuesday 2nd October 2007
Aquatic and coastal wildlife, swimmers, surfers, fishermen and others who use our waterways for recreation and livelihood will benefit from a reduction in pollution from sewage treatment works along rivers, lakes and coasts in England, Environment Minister Phil Woolas said recently.
Mr Woolas announced 24 additional ‘Sensitive Areas’ that have been identified as at risk from excessive nutrients in discharges from sewage treatment works.
This means that water companies will be obliged, under the Urban Waste Water Treatment Regulations, to take action by 2014 to reduce phosphorus and nitrates in the discharges from about 140 sewage treatment works.
The nutrients, especially nitrogen and phosphorous, accelerate the growth of algae and plants, which affects water quality and disturbs the balance of other organisms including fish. Two existing sensitive areas have also been extended. Eleven of the new areas are Sites of Special Scientific Interest.
The new and extended areas equate to about 749 km of rivers and canals and 30 sq km of standing fresh and estuarine water bodies across England.
Announcing the designations today Phil Woolas said: “Taking this action will not only protect our water environment, its aquatic life, and the wildlife that depends on it. It will also bring considerable benefits for everyone who values our waterways and the complex ecosystems around them.
“This is not just about meeting our obligations to improve water quality, but doing what we think is right for the environment and for quality of life.
“There will be water bill implications for customers from 2014, ranging from less than a pound to around £7 a year. We always consider very carefully when householders’ bills are likely to be affected, but these increases are small and I hope consumers will consider the benefits to be more than worth the investment.”
Today’s announcement brings the total number of Sensitive Areas in England to 367, covering over 4,500km of rivers and canals, and about 1,600 sq km of standing fresh, estuarine, coastal and marine water bodies.
Since the Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive was transposed into UK law in 1994, the Government has identified:
- 108 water bodies where eutrophication needed to be tackled
- eight drinking water supply sources with excess nitrate levels
- 180 seaside waters (already identified under the Bathing Waters Directive) where treatment was needed to protect the health of bathers
- 47 areas where shellfish waters (already identified under the Shellfish Waters Directive) needed treatment to protect shellfish harvesting beds
