Moving beyond the holding statements these are four articles that begin to scope the implications for water. There is obviously lots going on in the background but the analysis needs to start looking at the signposts, critical issues and the trigger points coming out with the opportunities for a positive vision of what is required, just as the National Trust have with Land Use & Farming. Government won’t let the Agencies do this and so it is up to the Professionals, their organisations and NGOs to start framing this debate. RE

Brexit and the water sector– an opportunity for Natural Infrastructure? A consultants view

In an Expert Focus article for Waterbriefing, Dr Evan Dollar, MWH Technical Director and expert in water management and Rachel Dewhurst , MWH Technical Discipline lead in Water Resources discuss the potential opportunities post-Brexit for stakeholders, particularly the water companies to challenge legislation in the context of “good science” on a local and national scale. 

‘Dr Evan Dollar and Rachel Dewhurst: Numerous commentators have now published their views on the implications of Brexit for UK in terms of environmental law and policy, and by implication, future investment planning (at least in part) in the UK water sector. The views, as would be expected, reflect the interests of the commentators / organizations, and reflect a range of views from the return to being the ‘dirty man of Europe’ to a more positive stance of taking back control of our environment.  What is clear is that environmental standards imposed mainly through EU legislation have strengthened the UK’s environment quality, and have encouraged the drive towards a circular economy.  Some, however, argue that this would have happened regardless of EU legislation, as environmental issues are now higher on the political agenda, and will remain so as population increases and resources become more limited.

EU Directives have been transposed into UK legislation, and have directly impacted our clients’ business, for example, the UWWTD, WFD, BWD and Eels Directive. The UK has also absorbed and adopted EU regulations within our regulatory regimes for dealing with permitting, enforcement and penalties.  To complicate the situation further, each member country of the UK has adopted slightly different environmental legislation to reflect the aspirations of the policy makers in London, Cardiff, Edinburgh and Belfast. To read more click here.’ 

CIWEM Brexit Blog –   http://www.ciwem.org/policy/management-regulation/

Hydro-International – Engineering Natures Way   Mark Goodger looks at the implications of Brexit on the UK Water Environment.

What does Brexit mean for Water? – Hannah Freeman Wildfowl & Wetlands Trust http://blueprintforwater.org.uk/blog/