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Ofwat issues Position Paper on the Water Framework Directive

United Kingdom
27/03/2006
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Ofwat has recently issued its Position Paper on the EU Water Framework Directive. Working closely with Defra and the Environment Agency (both of whom are managing the implementation process of the Directive) on the implementation of the Directive, Ofwat commented in its Position Paper that the Directive’s implementation should comply with the following key requirements:

  • adopt a realistic approach to the environmental objective of the Directive and its pace of delivery.
  • ensure that all the measures to be taken under the Directive will be cost effective and that the cost burden will be spread in a fair and proportionate way between all sectors of the water industry, in line with the “polluter pays” principle. In particular, Ofwat stressed the importance of carrying out a cost effectiveness analysis on the measures to be taken under the Directive.
  • use the exemption process under the Directive to postpone measures if the information is not yet available to confirm either the need or the effectiveness of such measures.
  • align with the principles of sustainable development.

Ofwat will be working closely with Defra and the Environment Agency to identify what work may be appropriate for water and sewerage companies to carry out. Ofwat’s comments in the Position Paper provide some useful information to companies in the water industry as to how the implementation of the Directive is to be carried out and the impact this will have on the industry. To read Ofwat’s Position Paper, click here.

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