Written question WQ83844
- Asked by
- Huw Irranca-DaviesLabour
- To be answered by
- Minister for Climate Change
- Tabled
- Due
- Answered
- Time to answer
- 9 days
Question
What assessment has the Welsh Government made of the impact the UK Environment Bill will have on the river systems, watercourses and coastal waters in and around Wales?
Answer
Answered by Minister for Climate Change
The Environment Act 2021 makes provision for drainage and wastewater plans to be put on a statutory footing in Wales.
It gives the Welsh Government powers to make regulations on the form and content of these plans, and we will be consulting with stakeholders on these during this Senedd Term. These plans will help ensure water companies plan and invest strategically and transparently for a wastewater and treatment network that is resilient and affordable over both the long and short term, and to focus on nature based solutions to improve water quality.
In the meantime the water companies are preparing non statutory drainage and wastewater plans for public consultation next year using a framework agreed with the water industry, regulators and UK and devolved Governments via the 21st Century Drainage Programme, to improve long-term planning for drainage and wastewater management and make these services more resilient.