£1.6bn Boost to Clean Up UK Rivers and Lakes
The government and Ofwat have announced a massive £1.6 billion investment to tackle filthy water and secure future supplies. This cash injection targets rivers, lakes, and coastal waters, aiming to slash pollution and fix water resilience issues by 2025.
Storm Overflows and Pollution in the Crosshairs
The push comes after Defra demanded English water firms speed up their spending on critical infrastructure. The focus areas include:
- Cutting storm overflow spills
- Reducing nutrient pollution from treatment plants
- Boosting water supply resilience
The bulk of the funds, £1.1 billion, will go to stopping sewage spills. Another £400 million targets water resilience projects and £160 million is earmarked to fight nutrient pollution.
Major Projects Across England
- United Utilities will slash 8,400 spills yearly, including dumping into Lake Windermere (£800m)
- Yorkshire Water upgrades wastewater treatment in Ilkley to improve River Wharfe’s bathing waters (£67m)
- South West Water improves storage to cut discharges at Falmouth and Sidmouth (£70m)
- Anglian Water speeds up storm overflow plans in East England (£27m)
- Essex & Suffolk Water boost local water resilience for homes and businesses (£18m)
- Severn Trent installs smart meters and enlarges Draycote Water reservoir in Warwickshire (£70m)
All projects kick off between 2023 and 2025.
Ministers Promise Cleaner Waters and More Jobs
Water Minister Rebecca Pow said: “These schemes will fast-track the urgent improvements needed to protect our environment. This includes £1.1 billion to stop sewage discharges across the UK, cutting 10,000 spills yearly in spots like Lake Windermere, River Wharfe, Falmouth, and Sidmouth. This investment will also create a much-needed boost for local jobs, businesses, and communities. It builds on commitments laid out in our five-year Environmental Improvement Plan and ties into the upcoming Integrated Plan for Water to fight pollution, cut water use, and safeguard our waters.”
Ofwat Chief Executive David Black said: “Massive investment is essential to fix storm overflow issues, improve river and bathing water quality, and bolster drought resilience. We’re pleased to have collaborated with companies to spur early investments ahead of the next price control period. These upgrades will deliver quicker, bigger benefits for customers and the environment alike. We will hold firms accountable if they lag behind.”
Ofwat has opened a consultation on these draft plans, which closes at midday on Monday 24 April 2023.
