Following last year’s consultation, the Government has now published a new set of River Basin Management Plans (RBMPs) updating the first plans published in 2009.

The RBMPs, which must be reviewed and updated every 6 years, set out strategies to improve the quality of water bodies in England.

Each of the latest eight river basin districts (RBD) covers an entire river system, including river, lake, groundwater, estuarine and coastal water bodies.

Introducing the plans, Defra said:

"The updated 2015 plans build on the work already done to protect and improve over 9,320 miles of rivers over the last 5 years. They set out how a minimum of 680 (14%) of waters will improve over the next 6 years from around £3 billion investment."

Overall objectives for the RBMPs are as follows:

• 75% of surface water bodies in England have an objective of good ecological status or potential
• 87% of groundwater bodies in England have an objective of good chemical status and 82% have an objective of good quantitative status
• 94% of the elements that define ecological status have an objective of good status

Predicted improvements by 2021 are:

• 294 surface water bodies (6.3%) in England are predicted to improve by at least one ecological status class by 2021. Of these 166 (4%) are predicted to improve to good or better ecological status by 2021
• 860 ecological status elements (2.6%) are predicted to improve by at least one status class by 2021. Of these 509 (1%) are predicted to improve to good or better ecological status by 2021
• 677 surface water bodies (14.5%) in England have at least 1 ecological status element predicted to improve by at least 1 status class by 2021

There are strong links between RBMPs and the UK’s Marine Strategy which implements the Marine Strategy Framework Directive - measures in the RBMPs will contribute to achieving good environmental status in the UK seas.

According to the Environment Agency, the following are significant water management issues in the river basin districts:

• Physical modifications - affecting 39% of water bodies in England
• Pollution from waste water - affecting 35% of water bodies in England
• Pollution from towns, cities and transport – affecting 11% of water bodies in England
• Changes to the natural flow and level of water - affecting 6% of water bodies in England
• Negative effects of non-native invasive species - affecting 2% of water bodies in England
• Pollution from rural areas - affecting 35% of water bodies in England
• Pollution from abandoned mines - affecting 3% of water bodies in England

The latest data shows that agriculture and rural land management, together with the water industry, are the two sectors identified as the principal contributors to pressures preventing waters reaching good status in England.

There are 11 river basin districts in England and Wales -the Environment Agency manage the 7 RBDs in England and Natural Resources Wales (NRW) manage the Western Wales RBD. NRW and the Environment Agency jointly manage the Dee and Severn RBDs and in Scotland the Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA) and the Environment Agency jointly manage the Solway Tweed RBD.

The RBMPs are used for a number of purposes, including:

• information on the plan for the protection and improvement of the water environment
• to know how future plans may affect an industry sector and its obligations
• to ensure a development proposal considers the requirements of the RBMP
• to apply for an environmental permit
• to contribute to the delivery of the plan or maximise potential funding for a project

The RBMPs, which are the mechanism for delivery of the Water Framework Directive, have been approved by the Secretary of State for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs. 

Click here to download the National RBMP Evidence and Data Report - December 2015

Click here to access the River Basin Management Plans