Back in 2017, the effects of Brexit were yet to be seen. In our previous blog about thewater industry and Brexit, we talked about the possible changes to come. Previously, the UKҳ membership of the European Union had a significant impact on the water industry, from environmental standards to water quality legislation. Over the course of the UKҳ relationship with the EU, weҶe seen huge improvements to environmental standards relating to water. So where are we now that weҶe left the EU? First, letҳ look a little closer at what being in the EU meant for water. The EU Water Directive One of the European Unionҳ environmental aims was to stop the deterioration of water bodies. The EU Water Directive was set out in 2000 and its mission was to have all EU bodies of water achieve чood Ecological StatusҠby 2015. While this was indeed a substantial and admirable mission, it unfortunatelydid not play out exactly as planned. Many bodies of water deteriorated and, in 2018 ֠3 years after the ѤeadlineҠ֠only 40% of European surface water bodies achieved чood Ecological StatusҮ Despite some of the failings of the EU Water Directive, many great things did come of being in the EU for the UKҳ water. For one, the UKҳ beaches are much better off for having been in the EU. When the UK joined the EU in the 70s, it was known for its dirty beaches. But by 2016,96.5% of UK beaches met EU standards. At the time of the referendum, then, many environmentalists were worried that all the good that had been done here would reverse with Brexit. Where would we be without EU water quality standards, without theBathing Water Directive, theMarine Strategy Framework Directive, and other renewedwater quality directives? Post-Brexit Water Regulation Since Brexit, the governmentҳ actions relating to water quality have been somewhat inconsistent. For example, in the summer of 2021, both Covid and Brexit causeddisruptions to normal water treatment. This lack of access to the necessary treatment chemicals led to an Environment Agency announcement that companies it impacted could Ӥischarge effluent without meeting the conditionsԠof their permits. This unfortunate occurrence was of course a result of a range of new challenges, but this large-scale dumping of raw sewage was a real setback for UK water and the governmentҳ commitments to clean water. On a positive note, though, we have recently seen renewed investment in cleaner waters. Water Industry National Environment Programme (WINEP) The Government, theEnvironment Agency, andOfwat set out in July of 2021 toreform and review the WINEP. New reforms to the WINEP set out to improve the water industryҳ impacts on the environment. Goals include: Reduction of sewage discharges from storm overflows Producing a more resilient water sector that plans to tackle drought, flooding, and pollution Addressing water quality and efficiency issues. 25 Year Environment Plan In 2018, the UK government set out an environmental manifesto with significant goals to be met by 2042. They aim to achieve cleaner, more plentiful water by: Exceeding objectives for bodies of water that are specially protected, as part of theRiver Basin Management Plans Minimising harmful bacteria in bathing waters Reducing impacts of wastewater Introducing new farming rules relating to water Reforming water abstraction methods so that groundwater supplies donҴ become depleted You can read the entire25 Year Plan to Improve the Environment here. The reasons for the EUҳ relative lack of success with the Water Framework Directive could be debated until the cows come home, but many could claim that it was due to the complex nature and bureaucracy that exists within the EU itself. With more autonomy, thereҳ now no excuse for the UK to get in gear. On the other hand, the overarching authority of the EU did put its members under pressure (and rightly so) to improve their environmental efforts relating to water ֠and that can only be a good thing. The UK, then, should not lose sight of this pressure and continue to take water policy seriously. As much as 25 year plans are encouraging, they are no good without action. Hereҳ to moving towards a bright future forwater quality! The postBrexit and the Water Industry: Where Are We Now? appeared first onAquaread.