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100%”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_padding=”|||” global_colors_info=”{}” custom_padding__hover=”|||”][et_pb_post_title meta=”off” featured_image=”off” _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” title_text_color=”#FFFFFF” title_font_size=”45px” title_line_height=”1.3em” meta_text_color=”rgba(255,255,255,0.7)” custom_margin=”||||false|false” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_post_title][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.27.3″ _module_preset=”default” max_width=”52%” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n
The Cunliffe Commission’s final report into the UK’s water sector was published today but w<\/span>ill its 88 recommendations for change help rivers in Wales?<\/span><\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ _builder_version=”4.27.3″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.27.3″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.27.3″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.27.3″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.27.3″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n The joint Independent Water Commission published the much-anticipated final report of its review of the water sector in England and Wales today.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Chaired by Sir John Cunliffe, the Commission\u2019s objective was to investigate and to make recommendations on how the water system in England and Wales can meet future challenges and restore public trust.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n With the much-publicised and widespread failures in river health, there can be no argument that this review was needed. But will the eighty-eight recommendations it makes improve the situation for Welsh rivers?<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.27.3″ _module_preset=”default” custom_margin=”33px||2px|||” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.27.3″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n Firstly, it is welcome that that the Commission recognised the differences in Wales\u2019s current and future needs for water management, which is not always a given.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Wales has its own legislation, regulatory framework and policy when it comes to rivers and the environment and, importantly, it is a devolved issue. When it comes to application in Wales, the recommendations made by the Cunliffe report will now need to be considered by Welsh Government, not Westminster.<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.27.3″ _module_preset=”default” custom_margin=”33px||2px|||” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.27.3″ _module_preset=”default” custom_margin=”||43px|||” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n Also encouraging was the report\u2019s call for more strategic direction from Welsh Government and that this needed to be applied across the whole water sector, not just the water industry.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n The Cunliffe Commission\u2019s report correctly points out that in order to restore rivers, pollution from all sectors need to be resolved and in the case of Wales, especially that from agriculture.<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.27.3″ _module_preset=”default” custom_margin=”33px||2px|||” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.27.3″ _module_preset=”default” custom_margin=”||43px|||” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n The review acknowledges that favourable comparisons between Wales and England when it came to the state of rivers may be dubious.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n We have for some time called into question claims that 43% of Wales\u2019s waterbodies are in \u2018Good Ecological Status\u2019 and 90% \u2018Good Chemical Status.\u2019<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Rather than being a reflection of better water quality, this divergence is due to the far less stringent assessments being made by Natural Resources Wales than by the Environment Agency in England.<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.27.3″ _module_preset=”default” custom_margin=”33px||2px|||” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.27.3″ _module_preset=”default” custom_margin=”||43px|||” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n Cunliffe has also recommended tighter regulation of sewage sludge spreading on farmland. This is a much needed recommendation because with that sludge comes nutrients, toxic chemicals and heavy metals all of which can then end up in rivers.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n This change would also align with our calls on Welsh Government to regulate the spreading of digestate in Wales and to not assume anaerobic digestion is the panacea it is made out to be.<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.27.3″ _module_preset=”default” custom_margin=”33px||2px|||” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.27.3″ _module_preset=”default” custom_margin=”||43px|||” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n One of the major recommendations was for the creation of a new economic regulator for water, a move that was put into place almost immediately by the Westminster Government with the announcement that Ofwat was to be abolished.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n In Wales, the Deputy First Minister has also stated that there will be a new economic regulator for water, but did not add any further detail on how the new body would differ from Ofwat.<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.27.3″ _module_preset=”default” custom_margin=”33px||2px|||” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.27.3″ _module_preset=”default” custom_margin=”||43px|||” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n One disappointing aspect of the Cunliffe review is the lack of a clear plan when it comes to cross-border rivers, recommending that their management is split along borders.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n It would be far better to manage rivers such as the Severn, Dee and Wye on a catchment basis.\u00a0<\/p>\n <\/p>\n A lack of targeted action will result in these key rivers remaining subject to an inadequate regulatory framework, with minimal improvement over the existing situation.<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.27.3″ _module_preset=”default” custom_margin=”33px||2px|||” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.27.3″ _module_preset=”default” custom_margin=”||43px|||” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n The full 465 pages and 88 recommendations from the most significant review of water management for 35 years will take a while to digest, and Welsh Government have said they will take their time to consider the findings in full.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n However, it is worth noting that some of the recommendations are already in progress in Wales. A review of agricultural legislation underway (and proposals for the full water legislation this summer), along with a review of land spreading and permitting (in relation to Afonydd Cymru challenge). Welsh Government has agreed to take on all of Dr. Bolton\u2019s recommendations for the control of agricultural pollution regulations. Meanwhile, the Environmental Governance and Principles Bill is currently making progress through the Senedd.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n However, we cannot afford much more delay. Welsh Government must make a speedy response to Cunliffe\u2019s other recommendations in order to start the urgent task of resolving the poor and deteriorating condition of rivers and their depleted biodiversity.<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text disabled_on=”on|on|on” _builder_version=”4.27.3″ _module_preset=”default” background_color=”#ededed” custom_margin=”22px||44px|||” custom_padding=”28px|26px|28px|26px|true|true” border_radii=”on|10px|10px|10px|10px” disabled=”on” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\nMonday 21st July, 2025<\/h2>\n
Differences between Wales and England<\/h3>\n
River problems more than water companies<\/h3>\n
Are things really better in Wales?<\/h3>\n
Tighter regulation on sewage sludge<\/h3>\n
Single regulator<\/h3>\n
Cross-border rivers<\/h3>\n
Next steps for Wales<\/h3>\n