Photo source: www.sewta.org
At first sight the figures released by Defra showing that English river water quality is at an all time high level of 73% meeting the good standard should be welcomed. Certainly there has been major improvement over the last 20 years – as there should be given the massive capital investment by the water companies.
Over the next five years the water industry in England and Wales will invest a further 4 billion pounds in raising river water quality. But can we be confident that this will make a difference?
Over the last five years or so there has been virtually no change in river water quality according to Defra despite the huge investment. Under the Water Frame Work Directive new monitoring schemes are now in place. The first 2009 results on “Good Environmental Status (GES)“ will be published next month.
A target has been set by Defra of all rivers meeting the GES target by 2015. Given that only 25% meet the standard in 2008 this sounds highly ambitious. The key will be to ensure the planned £4 billion investment is carefully focused on schemes that will make a real difference – not just squandered on more studies.
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