2. 2 So what does the water industry really think of the WFD? A water company’s view of the process, palaver and potential delivery of the WFD up to 2015 Ruth Barden – Environmental Scientist, Wessex Water

3. 3 Where to start…?

4. 4 Where the water companies fit in WFD Water companies EA Public (the beneficiaries) Local Govt Environmental NGOs IndustryAgriculture Public (the polluters) NE National Govt Public (the money)

5. 5 How the water companies fit in European level: representation through Eureau National level: represented on the Defra Stakeholder Group inc. Water UK, EA, NE, NFU, RSPB, industry etc Regional level: River Basin Liaison Panels. 1 water industry rep on each panel (except 2 in SW). Panel = 16 members Local level: much more informal. Intention to use existing local groups & networks

6. 6 Initial Fears

7. 7 So what is the role for water companies? Landowners Data gatherers Public health administrators Environmental service providers Carbon producers Educators WFD Aims: 1)Prevent deterioration 2)Protection of water sources 3)Protection from haz substances 4)Reduce GW pollution 5)Tackle effects of floods & droughts 6)Achieve good status

8. 8 So how will water companies help to deliver the WFD in RBMP1? Very few schemes with explicit WFD driver WFD elements will be delivered through other regulatory requirements e.g. UWWTD, Bathing Waters etc Local drivers – typically investigations Unclear on water supply protected areas- will we feed into this? Water company wide investigations on priority substances

9. 9 The Future Need to manage expectations from RBMP1- will not achieve wholesale good ecological status of all waterbodies. Uncertainty over what might be included in future RBMPs & AMP rounds. Sustainability? Derogations Everything to be achieved by 2027- regardless of cost in final round?