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<p>Since 1995 over £25 billion has been invested in improving sewage treatment and
sewerage collection systems. This has achieved a 61% reduction in the amount of phosphorus
and a 72% reduction in the amount of ammonia discharged to rivers. Bathing waters
and rivers are cleaner than ever but there is still more to do. The recent deterioration
in the environmental performance of the water industry, particularly in respect of
pollution incidents is unacceptable. The Environment Agency (EA) expect the industry
to minimise serious pollution incidents and approach a zero target by 2020.</p><p>
</p><p>The EA has begun a new Improving Water Company Performance programme which
will toughen regulation to encourage the companies to meet their environmental targets.
The programme will include:</p><p> </p><ul><li><p>Enhancing the EA’s regulatory tools
and approaches, including more inspections, increasing the number of in-depth audits
and greater use of technology to remotely monitor operations twenty-four hours a day,
seven days a week.</p></li><li><p>Maximising the use of enforcement and sanctions
powers so they act as a powerful deterrent.</p></li></ul><ul><li><p>Updating the Environmental
Performance Assessment targets for the 2021-2025 period to include a broader range
of measures with tightened standards where appropriate.</p></li><li><p>Working with
Ofwat to develop greater links between environmental performance and financial penalties
and incentives.</p></li></ul><ul><li><p>Requiring water companies to produce root
cause analysis reports for serious pollution incidents and to learn from them.</p></li><li><p>Requiring
water companies to produce a pollution reduction plan signed off at CEO level which
they will be accountable for.</p></li><li><p>Requesting that they proactively share
good practice as an industry wide response to the problems we are facing</p></li></ul>
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