Natural England - Water
Water
Rivers, lakes, and wetlands and the wildlife they support are distinctive and integral components of the English landscape.
They are particularly susceptible to pollution and enrichment. Over abstraction, land drainage and flood risk management practices can all affect the quality of the water environment. These pressures require action by Natural England particularly through influencing the policies of the water and pollution control sectors and their implementation and seeking integrated and sustainable solutions which work with the natural processes.
Achieving our strategic objectives in the water environment and tackling pollution effects on wildlife involves working with other partners such as Defra, EU, Environment Agency, Water companies, RSPB, the Wildlife Trusts and other regulators such as Ofwat.
Water Company Water Resource Management Plans
Water Companies published their draft Statutory Water Resource Management Plans (WRMPs) earlier this year which define how each water company will meet customer demand over the next 25 years, including tackling growth and dealing with climate change.
Natural England's overview of the company plans 
Natural England’s Role in the Periodic Review of Water Company Pricing 2010-2015 (PR09)
Every five years, each water company in England and Wales prepares an Asset Management Plan (AMP) that sets out its proposed spending plans for the next five years. These plans are subject to guidance from Defra and Ofwat, who set the prices that each company can charge customers for the five-year period.
The review of these business plans is called the Periodic Review. The current review period will end in 2009 ready for the spending period 2010-2015. The Asset Management Plan for this period will be called AMP5 (the current plan is AMP4).
Natural England’s role in the PR09 process is to ensure that water companies can deliver their statutory obligations for Natura 2000 sites, SSSIs and Biodiversity Action Plans (BAPs). Natural England is also promoting climate change mitigation and adaptation and the use of sustainable methods for tackling water quality and water-resource problems at source, through catchment-based approaches that deliver multiple objectives.
Natural England's approach to PR09
For the first time Ofwat has required each water company to complete a 25 year Strategic Direction Statement, bringing a longer term view to water industry planning. Natural England has produced a summary of these documents and assessed them against our objectives for PR09.
Natural England's summary of water company 25 year Strategic Direction Statements
Water companies published their draft business plans on 11 August 2008. Natural England has assessed each plan against our objectives for PR09 and written to Ofwat, the Environment Agency and each water company, setting out our views. See Natural Englands overview of the draft business plans .
Water Companies published their Final Business Plans on 7 April 2009. See Natural England’s analysis of the Final Business Plans.
Ofwat published their Draft Determinations on the Final Business Plans on 23 July 2009. See Natural England’s response to Ofwat’s Draft Determinations.
Ofwat will publish their Final Determinations on 26 November 2009.
Understanding customers' views – PR09 quantitative research into customers' priorities
On 25 February 2009, Natural England, alongside seven other stakeholders1 representing customers, regulators, water and sewerage companies and government jointly publish the report, 'Understanding customers' views – PR09 Quantitative Research into Customers' Priorities'.
The report explores bill payers' views of water company draft business plans for water and sewerage services in England and Wales. This is part of the Ofwat 2009 price review covering the period 2010-15.
This research explores customers' acceptability and value for money of water companies proposed plans outlined in their draft business plans which were submitted to Ofwat in August 2008. The research will provide an important source of information for water and sewerage companies to take account of as they prepare their final business plans for submission.
1Consumer Council for Water, Environment Agency, Water UK, Defra, Welsh Assembly Government, Drinking Water Inspectorate and Ofwat
Deliberative Research concerning Consumers’ Priorities for PR09
On 13 June 2008 Natural England, alongside seven other stakeholders1 representing customers, regulators, water and sewerage companies and government jointly published the report
Deliberative Research concerning consumers' priorities for PR09 for the Water Industry Steering Group (Ofwat)
The report explores consumers' views of water and sewerage services for the 2009 price review covering the period 2010-15.
Companies' draft business plans will set out proposed service levels, investment programmes and changes to customers' bills for the period 2010-15. These business plans should reflect consumers' priorities and needs. The research published on 13 June 2008 will provide an important source of information for companies to take account of as they finalise their plans for submission.
1 Consumer Council for Water, Environment Agency, Water UK, Defra, Welsh Assembly Government, Drinking Water Inspectorate and Ofwat
Water Framework Directive
The EU Water Framework Directive (WFD) was adopted in 2000. The purpose of the Directive is to establish a framework for the protection of rivers, lakes, estuaries, coastal waters and groundwater. Follow this link to find out more about the WFD and Natural England's role in the development of River Basin Management Plans (RBMPs).
