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Water UK Chief Executive Michael Roberts has responded to the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Select Committee report on regulation of the water industry.

Post-referendum, the water sector like all other industries is assessing the potential impacts across a range of areas. These include the strength of the UK’s economy and the ability to attract investment, legislation and regulation in the environment and other business issues.

Water companies are working around the clock alongside the Environment Agency, local authorities and other emergency services to help minimise the impacts of the floods on drinking water and sewerage services.

Water UK considers that a risk-based approach should be taken to the protection of groundwater resources whereby risks are identified and assessed, and then appropriate, measured actions taken to mitigate the impacts on the environment and public health.

Today’s announcement is not just about individual company plans, it is also about the sheer scale of collective ambition to do more for customers, the environment and the country as a whole.

Sewer blockages cost millions of pounds to put right every year and cause damage to people’s homes and the environment.

The Environment Agency’s declaration of a drought for parts of the country underscores the severity of the current situation

Companies worked around the clock alongside the Environment Agency, local authorities and other emergency services to help minimise the impacts of the floods on drinking water and sewerage services.

The water industry has invested billions since the 1990s on measures that protect the UK’s bathing waters. The latest results from the European Environment Agency show that the UK is close to the top of the list for bathing waters that comply with the EU standards.

A report published today (26 April) by the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Committee, scrutinising the implementation of the Flood and Water Management Act 2010, supports many of the positions adopted by Water UK in its evidence to the Committee.

Water UK is supporting #binit4beaches this summer. Wet wipes and other hygiene products do not break down after being flushed and can cause havoc in the sewers and the natural environment. Remember, only flush the 3Ps: Pee, Poo and Paper.

Water UK supports the need for further research on both the occurrence of pharmaceutical residues in the environment and their removal in both wastewater and drinking water treatment. By establishing a robust scientific evidence base additional regulations could be considered.