This ICE submission focuses on regulatory reform, the need for longer-term strategic planning and the role of nature-based solutions.
The ICE welcomes the Environmental Audit Committee’s follow-up evidence session to the impactful 2022 report on water quality in rivers.
The key priorities should be:
- Reform the regulatory system to align it with national priorities such as net zero.
- Take a longer-term approach to investment and planning - the five-year cycle is too short.
- Actively promote the role of nature-based solutions in delivering a better water infrastructure system and take into account wider benefits over the whole life.
- Rebuild trust between the public, water companies, and regulators.
These topics were discussed at the ICE’s Presidential Roundtable in June 2023, which focused on whether the UK needs a water strategy.
ICE submission to the Environmental Audit Committee on water quality in rivers
Content type: Policy
Last updated: 11 November 2024
You may also be interested in
- Type
- Infrastructure blog
6 takeaways from the UK government’s 2025 Spending Review
Will longer-term planning support better infrastructure delivery? The ICE analyses the UK's first multi-year Spending Review since 2021.
- Type
- Infrastructure blog
How can the UK's National Wealth Fund succeed?
The fund can support growth and net zero, writes Richard Threlfall – but only if it’s supported to take on risk.
- Type
- Infrastructure blog
Why can climate resilience efforts fall through the cracks?
Without strong leadership, clear roles and joined-up planning, governments may fail to adapt to climate change. A new insights paper explores how governments can build climate resilient infrastructure.