Clean Water Sports Alliance welcomes announcement on new water commission

The Clean Water Sports Alliance has welcomed the Government’s decision to launch an independent commission to look at the largest review of the water sector since privatisation.

This new commission is part of the 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.

Sir Jon Cunliffe, a former deputy governor of the Bank of England, will be the independent chair of the commission, which will also be supported by advisers with a range of expertise in the water sector, including the environment.

The commission will take expert evidence and the there will be opportunities for public engagement and a public consultation before report its findings back to the Government next year.

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
• Ensuring water regulators are effective in holding water companies to account
• Ensuring 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.

The Clean Water Sports Alliance represents 11 national governing bodies of sport, to clean up water in the UK. 

Shaping the future

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.

The Alliance was shortlisted for the BBC’s Grassroots Sports Organisation of the Year as athletes and groups working hard to enact and inspire change were celebrated.

Andy Salmon, Swim England chief executive, said: “This announcement is a welcome step forward in improving the health of our waterways for the 4.3 million outdoor swimmers and the millions of other recreational users of our rivers, seas and lakes who rely on the water for the activities they love and that support their physical and mental wellbeing.

“It’s therefore important, and right, that recreational users of water to have a voice in shaping the future of our water sector and, alongside our colleagues across the Clean Water Sports Alliance, we look forward to working with the commission to ensure that voice is heard.”

Ben Seal, head of access and environment at Paddle UK said: “Importantly, while we welcome the steps taken by this Government to clean up our waters, we mustn’t lose sight of the fact that pollution in our waters is not just a result of the actions of the water industry, but many other factors, including agriculture. 

“The same vigour must be applied in tackling these other sources of pollution, that are damaging our river habitats and putting human health at risk”.

Stuart Singleton-White, head of campaigns at the Angling Trust, said, “We will be engaging fully with this commission and look forward to meeting them to make the case for a clean and healthy water environment in which fish can thrive, and we can enjoy our sport. 

“It will be important for the commission to make clear that you cannot have a healthy, growing economy without a healthy water environment that is both clean and plentiful.”