Kate writes a bi-weekly column for the Burton Mail. This column was originally featured in the 24th March print edition.
On Tuesday this week it was World Water Day, and this year there has been renewed focus on action to clean up Britain’s rivers. Rivers are one of our most important natural resources - the arteries of our natural environment. Historically, they served as essential connections for our towns and cities. In nature, they serve as essential habitats for many species, from kingfishers to otters.
Despite vital functions, and countless more, our rivers are now in poor ecological health, facing far too many pressures from waste and pollution. Thankfully, strong action is being taken to reduce sewage pollution.
As a member of the Conservative Environment Network, I am proud that this Government is taking bold action to turn the fate of our rivers around. The landmark Environment Act places a duty on water companies to reduce harm caused by sewage released from storm overflows. The Act also ensures that the quality of water will be monitored near sewage infrastructure and that water companies must inform the public immediately when spills take place. In addition, the Government has told water companies to invest more money into the infrastructure required to reduce the amount of sewage being released, as well as to draw up plans to manage capacity into the future.
But there is much more to do to clean up our precious rivers. Locally, water company Severn Trent have announced this week five pledges for how they will help radically improve the health of rivers in our region between now and 2030.
The pledges are designed to provide a clear focus for the renaissance of our rivers. These include ensuring storm overflows and sewage treatment works do not harm rivers; creating more opportunities for everyone to enjoy our region's rivers by ensuring that 90% of people in our region live within an hour’s drive of a bathing site and enhancing our rivers to create new habitats so wildlife can thrive.
A new dedicated website has gone live to provide more detail and wider information to residents about the pledges which can be found at: www.getriverpositive.co.uk. It is vital that we do all we can to protect our rivers and to ensure they can be enjoyed for generations to come.
