The British Government’s new Water Reform White Paper, A New Vision for Water, sets out plans for tougher oversight and stronger accountability for water companies.
However, the RYA and the Clean Water Sports Alliance (CWSA) argue that it represents a missed opportunity to strengthen protections for people who use the water for recreation.
In 2024, England experienced a record 3.61 million hours of sewage discharges from storm overflows. Water companies have been ordered to invest £104 billion and cut sewage discharges by nearly half over the next five years.
The Clean Water Sports Alliance has consistently called for reforms that put the health of water users at the heart of regulation. Specifically, the alliance has urged government to:
- Create a clear public health objective in new water legislation
- Prioritise interventions that address risks to public health from microbial and chemical pollution through further regulatory reform
- Introduce regional water governance structures that include recreational water users in decision-making
Kate Fortnam, RYA sustainability manager said: “We recognise that some proposals have the potential to improve the protection of drinking water quality. However, this ‘once‑in‑a‑generation’ reform is still unclear about what specific actions will be taken to safeguard human health.
“The Independent Water Commission clearly recognised the importance of public health, and we are disappointed that these requirements are largely absent from the White Paper, which provides very little detail on how the Government intends to protect people spending time in and on the water.”
Among the proposals announced is the creation of a new chief engineer role within a new single water regulator, replacing Ofwat. The role will oversee independent checks on water infrastructure, ending the practice of water companies effectively ‘marking their own homework’.
The RYA also welcomes news that the regulator will also introduce an ‘MOT-style’ system for water company infrastructure, requiring regular health checks on pipes and pumps to reduce the risk of failures.
In addition, Whitehall plans to simplify the strategic planning process by reducing the number of planning frameworks from 20 to just two.
Other measures outlined in the White Paper include the rollout of smart water meters and mandatory water-efficiency labels on household appliances such as dishwashers and washing machines, helping UK consumers better monitor their water use.
The Clean Water Sports Alliance says it will continue to press the Government to ensure public health and the safety of recreational water users are fully embedded in future water reforms.
