Our VictorianThe growing population has made it difficult for sewerage infrastructure to cope with the increased frequency of heavy rainfall and climate change. This often leads to raw waste being released into our waterways. I want to stop this.
We have already made clear our expectations that water companies take steps to reduce storm surges through a new policy statement. This states that Ofwat (the water regulator) must ensure that the industry is meeting the needs of consumers and the environment.
We are the first government to make such a move, and we also passed the Environment Act, a world-leading law that will transform water quality.
We have created the Act to provide a range of measures to reduce the damage from storm overflows in this and other regions. England.
This includes new duties on water companies. YorkshireWater, to reduce storm sewage overflows. Both water companies and government have duties to increase monitoring, reporting, and transparency concerning storm sewage.
These measures were informed in part by the Storm Overflows taskforce, which I established. The monitoring of the sewage system is increasing exponentially. Environment AgencyBy next year, we will be monitoring 100 percent of storm surges.
We are currently consulting on several ambitious targets under the Environment Act. These targets include targets to clean our water by reducing nitrates and phosphates as well as sediment pollution from historic mining areas like the Barnsley, Rotherham, and Wakefield.
We have gone further and launched a consultation to discuss the single largest programme of work in history to reduce storm sewage overflows. This is great news for our bathing waters, an area this newspaper closely followed through the efforts by campaign groups to secure the first-ever bathing water designation for a river location along part of the Wharfe. The work complements the other actions that we are taking.
I have repeatedly stated that the amount of sewage being discharged by water companies into our rivers cannot be tolerated.
They must improve their game, and those who do not meet the expectations will be held accountable.
We have already taken strong enforcement action against water companies and sewerage companies that harm our environment, including a record breaking 90m fine against Southern Water.
Ofwat and the Environment Agency launched a major investigation last year based on evidence that water companies in England were not complying with permits. This led to excessive sewage spillages into the environment even during dry periods. These companies will be prosecuted if they are found guilty of violating their permits.
We are also taking greater action to improve water quality, the health of our rivers, and seas by tackling agricultural pollution.
To combat pollution from agriculture, we have increased investment in Catchment Sensitive Farming. This programme provides free advice for farmers to help reduce water and pollution through the management soils and manure. It is being offered to all farmers in the region and throughout England.
We are also taking steps to reduce single-use plastics in order to prevent them polluting our waterways.
We have already banned microbeads from rinse-off personal-care products. Therefore, we are asking for evidence on single-use items such as wet wipes containing plastic.
We are looking at ways to reduce the pollution caused by wet wipes.
Water quality is not a simple issue. However, this government is taking all necessary steps to ensure that this important agenda is being pursued.
