CIEH reacts to Independent Water Commission report

CIEH has welcomed yesterday's publication of the report by the Independent Water Commission into the water sector in England and Wales.

We are heartened by the importance placed on public health, from the inclusion of public health professionals on the new regional water authorities, and the work to be done to include public health in the water legislative framework.

We also welcome the acknowledgement that resources for monitoring water quality have not been sufficient to do a comprehensive job, which has led to patchy evidence and reduced the ability to take action against poor environmental health.

CIEH President, Mark Elliott, commented:

"Everyone should be able to trust the water they drink and bathe in, and CIEH members work every day to improve the quality of water. But evidence of raw sewage discharges and other failings in regulation have led to falling public trust in the water sector in England and Wales, and there has been rising disquiet about serious system-wide failings. We welcome the proposals in today’s report by the Independent Water Commission that indicate a greater role for public health, and will work to ensure that the new system enables us to achieve the higher standards that members of the public expect and deserve."