{"id":7400,"date":"2023-04-04T11:53:19","date_gmt":"2023-04-04T10:53:19","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.aquaread.com\/blog\/?p=7400"},"modified":"2023-10-06T10:23:21","modified_gmt":"2023-10-06T09:23:21","slug":"water-quality-management-uk","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.aquaread.com\/blog\/water-quality-management-uk\/","title":{"rendered":"How Can Water Quality Be Better Managed in the UK?"},"content":{"rendered":"

In previous blogs, we\u2019ve talked about <\/span>the state of the UK\u2019s rivers<\/a><\/strong> and the <\/span>significance of clean water<\/a><\/strong>. We know that water pollution is a huge issue in the UK and across the world, with various factors contributing to poor water quality \u2014 from agricultural activities to urban runoff.<\/span><\/p>\n

But what \u2013 if anything \u2013 is being done to manage it? And what could we be doing better to see a cleaner future for the UK\u2019s waters?<\/span><\/p>\n

What\u2019s being done to manage water quality currently?<\/span><\/h2>\n

There are various initiatives and bodies in the UK that aim to monitor and improve water quality. We\u2019re going to take a look at two key players here \u2014 the Water Framework Directive and the Environment Agency \u2014 their goals, and their responsibilities.<\/span><\/p>\n

The Water Framework Directive<\/span><\/h3>\n

The WFD is a European Union directive that has established a framework for the protection and improvement of water quality. Countries involved are required to monitor and assess water quality and develop feasible strategies to achieve \u201cgood ecological status\u201d for surface and groundwater bodies.<\/span><\/p>\n

In force since 2000, the WFD <\/span>has <\/span><\/i>seen a good amount of progress in the protection of water resources. But is it enough?<\/span><\/p>\n

Well, in 2018, the <\/span>European Environment Agency reviewed the progress<\/a><\/strong> of goals laid out by the WFD. Sadly, they found that only 40% of the surface water bodies in the EU were in good or high ecological status \u2014 just <\/span>16%<\/a><\/strong> for the UK.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

The initial target was that 100% of water bodies would achieve \u2018good\u2019 status by 2015. Because of the poor progress, this has since been extended to 2027.<\/span><\/p>\n

Political will to make this work has been lacking, despite many <\/span>non-compliant member states being taken to court<\/a><\/strong> and having to pay large fines. There has also been pressure to reduce the demands of the WFD by <\/span>industry lobby groups<\/a><\/strong> in the face of clear evidence in favour of it, and <\/span>statements of support from the EU\u2019s smartest minds<\/a><\/strong>.<\/span><\/p>\n

The Environment Agency\u00a0<\/span><\/h3>\n

\"The<\/p>\n

The UK\u2019s Environment Agency helps manage water quality in a few ways:<\/span><\/p>\n