Water company fines to be ringfenced to improve water quality - response by EAC chair

Reacting to the Government’s announcement that fines from water companies are to be channelled into environmental improvements, Environmental Audit Committee Chairman, Rt Hon Philip Dunne MP, said:

 "Our Committee has always been clear: there will be no quick fix for the poor state of our waterways. Our Committee found that no river in England meets good ecological status, with the scourge of pollution threatening the health of humans and nature alike.

“Today’s announcement by the Government to ringfence fines being paid by water companies will go a long way to developing nature based solutions. From wetlands storing water and putting less pressure on our Victorian era drainage system, to re-vegetating river banks, these solutions could improve water quality while allowing wildlife to thrive.

“For too long water companies and others have contributed to shocking levels of water pollution, but have largely got away with it. Refunnelling record levels of fines to improve nature – the ultimate victim of poor water quality – sends a clear signal that the polluter should pay to clean up the mess.”