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New charging framework for England’s long-term water supply and the environment
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It will create a more equitable system in which people pay for the services they get and those who abstract a lot of water will be paid more
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It is necessary to secure sustainable water resources that are sustainable for the environment, society, and business.
The new rules were approved by the government and published in Environment Agency’s response regarding the review of water resource abstraction charges and the results of its consultation.
The Environment Agency regulates the extraction and impoundment water. They work with water companies and farmers, industry, businesses, and other stakeholders to ensure that water is available for all.
England is under increasing pressure to its water resources because of climate change and population growth. Without action, significant water shortages will be experienced in some parts of the country by 2050. Some rivers could see 50 to 80 percent less water in the summer. Recent projections show that England will need more than 3.4 billion litres per person by 2050, which is 23% more than today’s supply.
The Water Resources Review of Charges seeks to create a fair system where people pay for what they receive. Water companies that extract a lot of water (such as water companies) will pay more. This supports behavioural change in water use to make it more economic.
The new charges, which have not changed over the past 10 year, will be based:
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The volume of water taken from the surrounding environment
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Where is the water taken from?
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How much of that water is returned into the environment
The new charging framework will provide 25 million in additional income annually to protect water supply and address environmental challenges. This includes helping to protect England’s fragile habitats like chalk streams.
The Environment Agency will continue to invest in the future because of the increase in funding from fees
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Protect future supplies by maintaining and operating infrastructure. This includes water transfer schemes, gauging stations and weirs.
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Modernizing the water abstraction licensing system via digital transformation
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Protecting and enhancing the environment by a more sustainable approach in water abstraction, with increased emphasis on sensitive and rare habitats such as England’s chalk streams
Sir James Bevan, Chief Executive at the Environment Agency, stated:
The greatest long-term threat for the environment, our economy, and our lifestyle is water supply.
Faced with the climate emergency, population growth, and increasing demand for water, it is imperative that we ensure that all people who use water can continue to do so, both now and in the future. We also need to better protect our rivers and aquifers.
This is why we need a system to allow us to charge fairly for the services that we provide to conserve water supplies and help businesses meet their requirements in a sustainable manner that protects the environment.
