Context
Our water system is broken. Our rivers lakes and seas are drowning in pollution, whilst our infrastructure fails and water companies profit. Across England we have become accustomed to pollution alerts that stop people swimming at the seaside on their holidays, or paddling playing and swimming in rivers and lakes. We have recently experienced serious incidents of pollution of our drinking water. Our water supply is under threat, with no long term strategy to secure drinking water.
The Government’s Independent Commission on the Water Sector Regulatory System seeks to secure a long term vision, and promises a reset to the water system. But the Commission is already hampered by its vision and objectives that limits its work to improving the current regulated privatised model, without considering any other options, many of which are successful in other countries. The People’s Commission will not be hampered by pre-determined solutions.
The People’s Commission reflects the public outrage at the state of our rivers, lakes and seas, and seeks to undertake a full root and branch review of the water system, examining what we can learn from the very best approaches internationally, and from innovations emerging in the water industry and scientific community.
The People’s Commission has been established by members of The Sewage Campaign Network
Objectives of the People’s Commission
The People’s Commission will make recommendations to the English Government to ensure that the water system delivers the following outcomes:
Secures a resilient water system fit for now and the future
Provides a model of ownership, governance and operations that delivers the Vision as described.
Meets the needs of water users and the environment.
Scope and Delivery of the Commission
We mirror the government’s commission in that these objectives will be met with due regard to the law including the 1991 Water Industry Act, Climate Change Act 2008, and government policy on net zero and growth; and with regard to the rapid action needed to save our rivers, lakes and seas.
The scope of the People’s Commission is the water system as a whole as it relates to water supply and water treatment.
Approach and Deliverables
There have been numerous analyses and reviews of our water system. We are providing key reports on our Resources pages. The People’s Commission will incorporate a review of the current evidence on the state of the water system as well as drawing on evidence from invited expert speakers, public commentary, as well as written submissions.
The People’s Commission will undertake its Inquiry on the solutions to achieving the vision in public over a series of 4 days. The International evidence will be taken at an online meeting, the rest of the meetings will be in locations across England and Wales. The press will be able to report on the meetings. The Inquiry sessions are therefore available for the government commission to utilise.
The 4 sessions will cover:
International Water Systems - what works
Resilient Water Systems - securing water systems that work for people and the environment now and into the future.
Governance - models of ownership and regulation, and public accountability.
Securing Public Value - financial management of the water industry.
The evidence will be reviewed by the panel and an advisory group of stakeholders, and the report will be published in line with the Government’s Commission.
The People’s Commission panel will be Dr Kate Bayliss, Prof Francis Cleaver, Prof Becky Malby, Prof Ewan McGaughey, and coopted members of the public as required.
The stakeholders that review the evidence will be local groups and independent experts.
How the People’s Commission differs from the Government’s Independent Commission on the Water sector’s regulatory System
The Government’s Independent Commission on the Water Sector’s Regulatory System has set out its view of the current context for a resilient sustainable water system in its Call for Evidence citing:
Failure ‘by a considerable margin’ to meet the 2027 Water Framework Directive (WFD) objectives for 75% of surface water bodies in England and 94% of surface water bodies in Wales
Lack of public trust in the current water sector lack of investor trust in the regulatory system and that they will get a air return on their investment; lack of trust between water companies and the regulators
Whilst standards of drinking water is one of the highest in the world, the water companies have failed to deliver.
The lack of attention to new and emerging public threats such as microplastics.
The need (in Cunliffe Commission's view) for substantial investment, with low financial resilience in water companies, and the inevitability of further water poverty as bills rise.
The drift to short-term planning and poor overall management with no clear view of the state of the water sector’s assets, poor maintenance of the water sector’s infrastructure, and risk aversion stifling innovation.
This way of examining the problem, with a focus on regulation, will lead to solutions that are partial.
The People’s Commission on the Water Sector is solution focused facing immediate and future problems. We differ in how we are approaching the issues, as we seek solutions that address the root causes of the problems we face within the context of a changing world.
If you would like to submit written evidence to the People’s Commission on the Water Sector please email peoplescommissionwater@gmail.com
GDPR statement
The People’s Commission on the Water Sector - Data Protection and GDPR Compliance Statement
We are committed to protecting your privacy and ensuring the security of your personal information. The data you provide as part of the People’s Commission on the Water Sector will be used solely for project-related purposes, including communication and updates. We adhere to the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) and other applicable data protection laws.
Your information will be stored securely and will not be shared with third parties without your explicit consent. You have the right to access, rectify, or delete your personal data at any time. By participating in this project, you consent to the collection and use of your information as outlined in this statement.
If you have any questions or concerns regarding your data, please contact us at peoplescommissionwater@gmail.com. Your trust is important to us, and we are dedicated to ensuring the confidentiality and integrity of your personal information.
Thank you for supporting the People’s Commission.
27th February 2025
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