The state of our rivers has always been a local concern. We all know that blue spaces offer valuable recreation and wellbeing benefits and that healthy rivers and riverbanks create a network for wildlife.  

Many species rely on water habitats including beavers, kingfishers, water voles, trout, eels, dragonflies, mayflies, ducks, heron, little egret, not to mention visitors such as fox, deer and other mammals.  

Sadly, we all know that rivers, lakes and seas are under huge pressure as pollution, sewage, drought, and flooding become more common. And it’s not only affecting wildlife. You can’t wild swim, or even drink water in some places for fear of sickness. There are leaks and cracking pipes and yet only recently we were in drought. Meanwhile your bills are increasing as communities literally pay the price.

All too often nobody seems to take responsibility and it’s easy to feel powerless. But there is a solution…

Fix water

Our water system should work for people and wildlife.

A new law is expected which aims to overhaul the water sector. This is the chance we’ve all been waiting for. We can fix the water system so that it prioritises people and nature, not profit.

The Wildlife Trusts want to see three essential reforms within this new Water Bill and your MP can help to make them happen. These are:

• Water under local control

• Water companies 're-wired'

• Water treated as critical national infrastructure

Now is the time to treat water as the critical national infrastructure it is.  A healthy water system can protect everyone against flooding, drought, wildfire, ill health, food shortages, and help build a more prosperous society. We can fix the whole system and put people and nature at its heart. 

Your MP can help

If your MP knows you support them to push for change they are more likely to speak up. Ask them to ensure Ministers include these reforms in the Water Bill. We’ve made it easy for you here: 

Ask your MP to Fix Water

Local control of water

The water system is currently managed by too many different bodies, with too few powers. Our rivers need stronger, more local leadership. New Regional Water Authorities could bring fragmented responsibilities together, with the powers to tackle pollution, manage water extraction and restore rivers, while making local leaders accountable for progress.

These authorities should have strong local powers to stop pollution from intensive farming, industry, development and road run-off, pause water extraction when rivers cannot support it, change the drainage systems to keep more water on the land and set clear, accountable, public restoration targets.

Rewired water companies

The current water company model has led to unacceptable pollution, failing nature and people. Water companies must be given a new primary purpose to contribute towards nature recovery targets.

If private water companies fail to meet this new purpose and undo the damage they have caused, they should be transformed by Government into co-operatives, owned by the public.

Treat water as a critical national infrastructure

Water is essential to our homes, food, health, economy, climate resilience and nature. A clean, healthy water system is everyone’s right and can help protect us from flooding, drought and food shortages.

It’s time to treat water as the critical national infrastructure it is and fix the whole system, with people and nature at its heart.

A healthy water system can protect everyone against flooding, drought, wildfire, ill health, food shortages, and can help build a more prosperous society. Fix water, and we can fix so much more. Let’s make it happen together.