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Defra response to OEP investigation into regulation of network combined sewer overflows

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Government takes swift action to strengthen regulation to tackle sewage discharges, as the Office for Environmental Protection (OEP) announces next steps in their investigation into the regulation of network combined sewer overflows.

Inaccurate claims in the OEP Report reviewing the implementation of River Basin Management Planning in England

Posted by: , Posted on: - Categories: water
Department for Environment Food and Rural Affairs

Today the Office for Environmental Protection published a report on legal targets to improve water health.  

The report claims that report claims that “the EA has calculated a cost of £51 billion to achieve the targets… but there is only confirmed funding of £6.2 billion up to 2027”. 

This is incorrect. In October 2023, the water industry announced a planned £96 billion of investment between 2025 and 2030 to deliver significant environmental improvements, including tackling nutrient pollution and reducing the use of storm overflows. Ofwat is currently considering these proposals.