09/09/10
The latest assessment of river quality in England and Wales shows 70 per cent in very good or good condition. Investment by water companies is a major cause of the improvement.
In its 2009 General Quality Assessment of river health, the Environment Agency highlights significant increases in salmon and sea trout and points to plans for more improvement of 9500 miles of river between now and 2015.
Each of these positive developments owes a great deal to investment by the water industry. Well-managed and successful capital expenditure by water and sewerage companies has led to ever-rising standards in wastewater treatment, freshwater fish and shellfish habitats, bathing waters and combined sewer overflow operations.
This vital work goes on. In the five years to 2015 the water industry in England and Wales will invest a further £4 billion - over £2 million a day - in raising environmental quality.
Yet this large sum is a relatively small part of companies' total investment in customer service and the environment. Water mains, sewers and treatment works are at the heart of national economic infrastructure and will benefit from overall investment £22 billion - £12 million a day - up to 2015.
Pamela Taylor, Water UK Chief Executive, said:
"River quality is an indicator not just of the health of the environment but the health of the economy. As more of us come to see the environment as a vital asset and itself part of national infrastructure, the value of water company investment will also be better recognised. The fact that the funds are sourced and the work done at no cost to tax-payers is a real benefit in difficult economic times."
Environment Agency GQA Classification
For more information please contact:
020 7344 1809 (out of hours 07833 450544)
