800 million pounds investment planned to reduce waste discharge into Lake Windermere
Over £1.6 billion of new investment will be directed into England's infrastructure to improve the water quality.
Last updated 3rd Apr 2023
There's been a request from Defra to English water companies to accelerate investments between now and 2025 to tackle storm overflow discharges, reduce nutrient pollution from treatment works and address water resilience challenges.
This announcement comes ahead of the government’s Integrated Plan for Water, which will be published tomorrow, and will set out how they can achieve cleaner water for future generations.
It's hoped the investment announced today will ensure improvements are made more quickly to address the unacceptable levels of pollution in waterways.
As part of the announcement United Utilities will have to reduce their 8,400 spills a year, including in Lake Windermere which is being allocated 800 million pounds to help tackle the issue.
Water Minister Rebecca Pow said: "These new schemes will help accelerate the delivery of the urgent improvements we need to protect our environment.
"It includes £1.1 billion of new investment to stop sewage discharges at sites across the country and will deliver a reduction of 10,000 discharges per year in places like Lake Windermere, the River Wharfe, Falmouth and Sidmouth.
"The investment set out here will also provide an important boost for regional jobs, businesses and local communities.
"It builds on the key commitments in our five year strategy – our Environmental Improvement Plan – as well as our upcoming Plan for Water to tackle pollution, reduce water consumption and protect our waters. "
Ofwat's Chief Executive, which is the industry regulator, David Black said: "Substantial investment is needed to address the challenges to our water system of storm overflows, river and bathing water quality and drought resilience.
"We are pleased that we’ve been able to work with companies and identify significant investments which companies can start well before the next price control period. This will bring substantial benefits for customers and the environment and bring them faster.
"We want to see companies making more rapid progress in delivering improvements, and will hold them to account if they fall short."