1. UK experience of Programmes of Measures
Presented by: Sonia Phippard, UK Water Director
Date: 23 March 2015

2. Protecting and improving UK waters – some context
62 million people
km²
17 RBDs
3 international RBDs
5 jurisdictions
England
Scotland
Wales
Northern Ireland
Gibraltar

3. Improved understanding of the water environment
16,000 investigations to improve understanding of pressures
Strengthened monitoring of biology quality indicators
Increased knowledge, but still some uncertainty
Local economic analysis to inform programme of measures
2nd cycle plans will be based on stronger evidence including updated WFD standards
Knowledge
Time
Monitoring programmes and classification tools
Reasons for not achieving good status ?
Since 2009 we have improved our understanding of the water environment and have greater confidence in our evidence base. Some stakeholders have pressed for more evidence to reveal the extent of the problems ; others demand evidence to prove there is a case for action.
Managing these demands is challenging but our updated plans will be based on a stronger and more extensive evidence base.
Know more of pressures through targeted investigations; We have a more stable monitoring network- now extended to include more biological monitoring,. Also improving the evidence base on chemicals.
Also conducted extensive local economic appraisals and to inform updates to the Plans. And reviewed and up dated some of our WFD standards – eg for phosphates. We are more confident of evidence. BUT these developments can make our story on progress very difficult to tell.
Nat. programme on wastewater treatment works (£25mill) and abandoned mines (£10mill) supplemented local investigations to get a better picture of the importance of these sources and risks to chemical status. Actions in place to tackle these sources. Programme showed domestic use is dominant source of many chemicals going into treatment works now, suggesting significant challenges for the future. [DN if wanted: As failure of one chemical standard means failing Good Chemical Status, regular revisions of environmental quality standards setting increasingly stringent standards represents increasing pressure on the ability to gain Good Status under One Out All Out.] Measures to reduce diffuse input of chemicals include action on dredging, pesticide use, highway runoff and missed connections of wastewater pipes.

4. Stronger public participation More partnership working facilitated local partnership working
New Catchment Partnerships;
Catchment Restoration Fund:
Restoring natural features
Reducing impact of man-made structures on wildlife
Reducing impact of diffuse pollution
€31 m secured €6.6 m partner support
Additional benefits:
Flood management
Socio-economic
Biodiversity

5. Innovation to tackle chemicals from abandoned metal mines

6. Water industry invested €30 billion in England and Wales 2010-15
€6.2 billion to meet environmental obligations
Costs are recovered from users through charges
Rivers improved or deterioration prevented = 3097 km
Lakes improved or deterioration prevented = 21 km2
Transitional and Coastal Waters improved or deterioration prevented = 3953 km2
Wetlands improved or protected = 25
Bathing Waters improved = 52
Shellfish Waters improved = 23
Groundwater bodies improved or maintained = 41 .

7. Tackling agriculture diffuse pollution: Scotland
New General Binding Rules based on agricultural good practice, covering fertiliser and pesticide storage and application, keeping of livestock and land cultivation.
Programme of measures included:
Over 4000 farms visited in ‘at risk’ catchments
Over 5500 km of watercourses visually inspected
1:1 engagement with farmers
Workshops/Training events
User friendly guidance
Outcome – improved good practice and compliance at 80% of farms by second visit

8. England: new Rural Development Programme
Countryside Stewardship: £900 million incl. for:
water quality capital grants
water quality advice
multiannual management agreements
Greater focus on delivering multiple benefits for water quality, biodiversity and flood risk management

9. Restoring the flow
Since 2008, we have prevented damage or risk of damage associated with 127 unsustainable abstraction licences across England.
We have returned nearly 27 million cubic meters of water per year to the environment.
In 2014, we changed abstraction licences on 4 iconic rivers reducing the amount of water that can be taken by around 9.5million cubic metres per year by 2018.

10. Net gains in ecological quality of English rivers since 2009

11. In conclusion… Good news But Looking ahead
WFD is promoting better evidence, innovation, local capacity and partnerships;
Significant investment from water companies and other sectors; progress being made on diffuse pollution;
Delivering improvements at element level;
But
Taking longer than expected to see ecological response;
Longer term pressures of economic growth, increasing population, climate change, invasive non-native species
Looking ahead
Greater use of economic appraisals to support decision making;
Better monitoring and updating WFD standards means % water bodies reported at good status may be lower in 2015 than in 2009!

12. THANK YOU