EAC comment: Chair welcomes details of water restoration fund

The Chair of the Environmental Audit Committee has responded to details announced today of plans to reinvest water company fines directly into water restoration.

EAC Chair, Rt Hon Philip Dunne MP, said:

“Last year, I was encouraged by the Government's intention to establish a Water Restoration Fund. I am pleased to see that this has now been launched. Funnelling penalties levied on water companies directly back into environmental protection will ensure that communities affected by breaches of environmental law will be able to access funding for restoration projects.

“Restoring the health of England's rivers will be no easy task, but today's announcement indicates that the Government recognises that fines on water polluters ought to be committed directly to cleaning up waterways.

“I am particularly pleased that the funding will be available to catchment partnerships. These groups, empowering organisations in a particular area to collaborate on improving waterways, are very well placed to propose and deliver practical solutions.

“Applicants will have an eight-week window to apply for grants from the fund. I encourage any groups concerned about water quality in their area to make the most of this helpful scheme by applying for funding as a priority.”