Environment Secretary Thérèse Coffey has demanded water companies share plans on improving Britain’s water infrastructure, a Defra press release has stated. The fresh move is part of the drive for better water quality, building on significant work with industry and regulators, allowing government to track progress of investment and new projects. The Environment Secretary has […]
Work to restore essential habitat for one of Wales’s most endangered species has been completed in a north Wales river. The site in Gwynedd, recently acquired by Natural Resources Wales (NRW), is one of the last strongholds of pearl mussel populations in the UK. But human activity in past decades, where the river was dredged […]
New housing, commercial and infrastructure developments are set to be “nature positive” from November onwards, the government announced, with the plans backed by £16 million of funding for Local Planning Authorities and guidance to support the new approach. Developers in England will be required to deliver 10% “Biodiversity Net Gain” when building new housing, industrial or commercial […]
New research shows that 22% of people admit to flushing wet wipes down the toilet despite 88% saying they are aware they harm the environment This is despite an overwhelming majority of the public saying they care about protecting the environment (91%), pollution of rivers and seas (91%), and protecting animals (93%) Wet wipes are […]
In his final speech on water, Sir James Bevan reflects on the debate around water quality over his seven years as Chief Executive. Achieving clean and plentiful water is “easy to say but hard to do”, Sir James Bevan said in a speech, entitled ‘Reflections on water: the good, the bad and the future’. He reiterated […]
The Greater London Authority has released a map of locations of sustainable drainage systems (SuDS) across London. London is outgrowing its drains and sewers. The combined sewer system originally built over 150 years ago by Joseph Bazalgette has served us well, but it was designed for a smaller city with more green surfaces. The combined […]
As public awareness of environmental issues grows, the spotlight is firmly on water quality. Water companies across the UK and Europe are under increasing pressure to alleviate their environmental impact and protect vital rivers, streams and watercourses. However, with this increased scrutiny on the water sector and its approach to pollution management, it is crucial […]
Environmental principles policy statement Defra has published the final version of its environmental principles policy statement, to which ministers will have to have “due regard” when making policy. The statement set out that policymakers should apply the following five environmental principles to support environmental protection and enhancement: the integration principle the prevention principle the rectification […]