The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs is to publish a new strategy for water early in 2008.
Water UK has prepared a summary of its advice to ministers on what the strategy should contain.
Overarching Aims
For the country
A strategy that, instead of pursuing individual environmental or economic goals, tries to involve people and organisations in the sustainable use of a priceless asset.
For the water industry
A strategy that supports a confident and sustainable industry in the interests of all stakeholders.
Overview of objectives
• Greater appreciation of the value of water, for public supply and for a healthy natural environment
• More integration with other sectors, building on a central theme of Directing the flow, the 2002 strategy which has a long way to go
• progressive water regulation, moving from 'one-size-fits-all' to acknowledgement of recognising regional differences and sustainable development
• Longer-term adaptive planning, recognising risks and uncertainty and facilitating innovation.
This briefing provides keypoint notes on: water resources and sustainable water management; drinking water quality; water quality in the environment; flooding; greenhouse gases and carbon; regulatory framework; competition; essential infrastructure; charging, metering and affordability.
