Statement from The Rivers Trust in response to new regional bodies plan

• Regional bodies with powers to oversee water companies could be transformational in fixing a broken system, says The Rivers Trust 
• The Rivers Trust has long been calling for an integrated, systems-based approach to regional water planning to create rivers fit for the future 
• Local catchment partnerships are already making a difference, but need properly funding to ensure the robust data and evidence is there to inform regional investment plans 
• These new regional bodies must be separate from national regulators, using local knowledge to spend money where it will make the biggest difference 

The Rivers Trust welcomes the news that the Westminster Government is considering plans to create new regional bodies to oversee water companies - something it has been calling for to fill the ‘missing middle’. 
 
The plans, as outlined by John Cunliffe’s Independent Water Commission last year, would give regional bodies the power to oversee elements of water company spending and better hold them to account over sewage discharges and direct spending where it’s most needed - which could be transformational for our broken water system, says The Rivers Trust.  However, their oversight should stretch beyond just water companies and extend to the whole water system, and these bodies must be underpinned by well-funded catchment partnerships and an integrated catchment monitoring system. 
 
The Rivers Trust CEO Mark Lloyd wrote to the Secretary of State earlier this year to welcome the Commission’s clear diagnosis of the weaknesses in the current system and encourage the Government to take bold action rather than incremental change.

The Rivers Trust has long been calling for an integrated, systems-based approach to regional water planning to ensure we have rivers fit for the future – and  
to protect businesses and households from the major threats of drought and flooding.

These regional bodies – separate from regulators - must have the mandate, funding and powers to hold water companies to account with evidence underpinned by robust, integrated monitoring and data. They should work alongside properly funded Catchment Partnerships with solid Catchment Plans to ensure local and regional needs are met, rather than employing a one-size-fits-all approach. It also requires a legislative framework that has regional flexibility to meet the real needs of each individual river catchment, and a regulatory system that is focused on outcomes rather than micro-management of outputs.  
 
Mark Lloyd, Chief Executive of The Rivers Trust said: “Fragmentation in planning, funding and accountability is one of the principal barriers to progress. We welcome these signs that the government is taking regional planning seriously.  This is the only way to get better value for customers, build resilience to droughts and floods driven by climate change and reverse the decline in biodiversity. 

“Water quality and quantity are affected by a wide range of factors, such as highways, agriculture and land use, urban development design and sewage treatment.  Regional bodies need to take a holistic view of the water system and spend money where it can make the biggest difference.  This will deliver far better outcomes for water bill and taxpayers.  

"Water is fundamental to the health and prosperity of the nation and only fundamental reform of the system will protect people and business from the droughts and floods associated with climate change.”