Water quality in rivers: Government Response 16th May 202216 May 2022 19:07
An interesting read,
https://publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm5803/cmselect/cmenvaud/164/report.html
We recommend that the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs commission, in conjunction with the devolved administrations, a UK-wide survey of emerging pollutants and microplastic pollution of river environments, including an assessment of their potential impact on aquatic ecology. (Paragraph 42)
Through the Environment Agency, we are investing in cutting edge analytical techniques and are planning to scan for over 1,500 specific chemicals in the surveillance network across watercourses, and continually review and add to the list of chemicals to look for. To supplement this targeted analysis, we are developing non-target screening in water, biota and sediment allowing the detection of the presence of more than 65,000 different chemicals.
Water quality is a devolved matter and there is existing, strong coordination in this area across the UK administrations, not least because river basin management planning covers cross border river basin districts. At the working level, the UK Technical Advisory Group (UKTAG) comprises experts drawn from UK environment agencies and conservation agencies. The UKTAG develops guidance and makes recommendations to the UK’s administrations on technical aspects of implementation of the water quality regulations and river basin management planning. It operates through a series of technical task teams established for specific subjects including chemicals, marine waters, water resources, groundwater and fresh water. Through this work, we have a good picture of the UK’s water environment overall.
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