Water companies will have to address how they will use
nature-based solutions within their networks from 23rd June as a
new legal requirement of the Water (Special Measures) Act comes
into force (Section 5).
New rules require water companies to consider nature-based
solutions within their statutory Drainage and Wastewater
Management Plans (DWMPs) - for instance the construction of
wetlands rather than water recycling centres to help clean sewage
effluent before it is released back into the wider environment.
Another example could be riparian buffers—a border of vegetation
next to a river or stream which helps improve water quality and
protect it from surface runoff while providing habitats and
reducing erosion.
New legal requirements mean companies have to specifically
explain if and how they are using nature-based solutions within
their networks, the benefits these systems have and provide
transparency around their decision-making process.
This will improve transparency in this area, so the public knows
that nature-based solutions have been considered and can
understand why natural solutions have or have not been proposed
in each case.
Alongside cost-effectiveness and sustainability, nature-based
solutions provide additional benefits for people and the
environment—like improved water quality, reduced flood risk and
new habitats for biodiversity.
Environment Secretary said:
From now on, water companies must explain how they are using
natural and sustainable solutions to clean up our
waterways.
This measure is yet another step in the Government's plan to
clean up our rivers, lakes and seas for good.
