Planning and Water

Wildfish / Projects / Planning and Water

WildFish is calling on the government to ensure that new developments proceed only when the water industry can provide a sustainable water supply and adequate sewage infrastructure without harming the environment.

ACT NOW

Fundamental public needs shouldn’t come at the expense of the environment—but too often, they do.

The Issue

Right now, the government is considering new developments without ensuring the water industry can meet the increased demand for water supply and sewage treatment. At WildFish, we believe this must change.

New development should only move forward when:

1. A sustainable water supply is secured without environmental harm.

2. Modernised infrastructure is in place to adequately treat sewage.

The Water Commission Explained

Established in October 2024, the Independent Water Commission will make recommendations to the UK and Welsh Governments to “strengthen the water sector and its regulatory framework”.

From sewage spills to water shortages, our rivers, lakes, and seas are paying the price for regulatory failures above all else. Successive Governments and its regulators have failed to enforce water companies to invest in water sources and sewage capacity.

Within this review, a key focus for us will be how the water sector plans for new developments. We must end the current process where (incredibly) there is no mechanism for ensuring there is water and sewage capacity for any new development. This is something we’ll be watching closely.