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Company Statement on Defra Consultations: Industrial Emissions and Very Small Sewage Discharges

The Company has responded to two Defra consultations on permitting. One on industrial emissions and one on very small sewage discharges. In doing so the Company observed that these are  both parts of a fragmented approach to permitting .It supported both sets of  proposals pro-tem with the caveat that, in…...

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Thinkpiece on Biosolids and Bioresource Management

There has been some public discussion on the use of biosolids on agricultural land . The Company has produced a Thinkpiece summarising the current facts about the whole issue of bioresources management, and this can be found on the Company website Thinkpiece...

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Shaping Biodiversity Policy: Our Response to Defra’s Consultation

The Company has responded to recent consultations by Defra on Biodiversity Net Gain, putting forward some radical suggestions for a more integrated and less fragmented approach. The full response can be found elsewhere on the website....

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Revisiting Bioresources: A Renewed Commitment to Sustainable Innovation

Last week, Past Master Peter Matthews attended the NWG Innovation Festival in Newcastle as a panellist in the Bioresources Dragons’ Den, at the invitation of AtkinsRéalis. The event provided him with an opportunity to speak about the work of the Water Conservators. The discussions, together with recent Guardian articles, have…...

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Statement on Interim Report by the Independent Water Commission

The Company has responded to the Interim Report of the Independent Water Commission. It agrees with several of the points made by the Commission but focussed on ensuring that the final report recognises the key role of river catchments and basins is maintained in future structures. The response may be…...

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Supportive Response Submitted to Defra’s Permitting Reform Consultation

The Company has made a short response to the Defra consultation on reform of the exemptions processes in environmental permitting,  giving broad support. The response is filed on the web under ‘policy positions’....

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Company Submits Response to Environmental Audit Committee on PFAS Concerns

The Company has responded to the  Environment Audit Committee’s call for evidence on PFAS ,  expressing its concerns....

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Environment Agency consultation on the proposed Enforcement Levy for Water Companies

In response to the Environment Agency (EA) consultation, the Water Conservators agreed, in principle, that the EA needs to be adequately funded to carry out its duties of permitting and enforcement for the Water Industry. But it suggested that the execution of the requirements of the Water (Special Measures) Act…...

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Our Partnership with River Holme Connections: Placement Report 2025

We are pleased to share the latest Year in Industry placement report, supported by the Water Conservators Trust in partnership with River Holme Connections. Authored by placement student Rachel Horton, the report highlights the valuable skills and hands-on experience she gained over the year—from leading volunteer tasks and assisting with…...

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Submission to Defra Independent Water Commission – Call for Evidence

We have made a substantial submission to the Call for Evidence from the Defra Independent Water Commission. You can find it on the Policy Positions page of our website....

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