The Welsh Assembly has launched a new consultation on its Water Strategy for Wales – which includes proposals for universal metering and realigning the existing regulatory boundaries for water and sewerage with the geographical border between Wales and England.
Deadline for submission of responses to the consultation is 7th July - the Assembly intends to publish its final Strategy later this year.
The Strategy sets out the Assembly’s long-term policy direction on water – the Welsh Government wants to develop a more integrated approach to to promote the coordinated management of water, land and resources.
The consultation is seeks views on matters relating to the management of Welsh water systems, including all inland waters, estuaries and coastal waters. In particular, it focuses on how Wales can increase the resilience of the whole water system in order to maximise the benefits it can bring and reduce costs to consumers and water companies.
There are close links between the Strategy and a range of policy areas across the Welsh Government - clearly indicated via links throughout the consultation document. The Assembly has sought to ensure that its approach dovetails with existing policy positions or those under development, including:
- Natural resource management
- Flood and coastal risdk management
- Planning
- Marine and fisheries policy
- Biodiversity
- Land management
- Sustainable development
The consultation also covers some significant changes the Welsh Assembly is considering to give Wales greater autonomy over its water resources, in particular:
- the implementation of new legislation via the Water Bill to enable Welsh Ministers to publish a statement setting out strategic priorities and objectives for Ofwat in relation to appointment areas wholly or mainly in Wales.
- a review of the practical implications of aligning the regulatory boundaries for water and sewerage with the geographical border between Wales and England.
The Welsh Assembly is also planning to assess and consult on a number of options for metering of all water supplies in Wales in a “phased and proportionate programme.” The Assembly intends to work with the water companies, regulators and the Consumer Council for Water to develop options for metering all water supplies.
Deadline for submission of responses to the consultation is 7th July - the Assembly intends to publish its final Strategy later this year.
Click here to access the consultation document in full.