The government's Water Bill reached the Committee Stage in Parliament on Wednesday (4^th December). Critics from the farming industry and environmental organisations have expressed misgivings about the bill, which will frame government water policy for the coming years.

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Defra claims to have taken five key areas into consideration in its Water Bill:

• Resilience in the face of future threats to water resources (e.g. from climate change);
• Environmental protection;
• Better water management to minimise waste;
• Economic growth;
• And – linked to the latter – affordable and reliable supplies of water.

Under the bill, more competition will be encouraged between water companies, with the intention of encouraging new players into the water supply market. Defra believes that this will result in better value for customers, and a more 'efficient' sector.

However, environmentalists have said that the reforms could in practice encourage abstractors to 'max out' their licences, causing further environmental damage to rivers and streams.

The Bill contains provision for farmers dependent on a mains supply of water, but farm groups have said it will affect those who rely on abstracting their own water from rivers and boreholes. As part of the bill, Defra has pledged to tackle over-abstraction, which could cause damage to rivers and other water sources, and make sure that available water is put to best use. Green groups, on the other hand, argue that not enough has been done to prevent damaging over-abstraction from at-risk waters.

On Wednesday, the NFU called on Defra to ensure that its policies recognise the critical link between water and food security, and ensure that changes provide enough water for farmers to grow food.

Speaking at a special abstractors' forum in Newmarket, NFU Deputy President Meurig Raymond said, "Many farms… are dependent on a secure supply of affordable, wholesome mains water. Those businesses will undoubtedly be interested in benefits that may result from changes in retail competition proposed by the Bill."

Raymond added that fruit and vegetable farmers, who tend to abstract water from rivers and boreholes rather than relying on mains water, should receive more support for building reservoirs and improving their on-farm storage capacity. The NFU believes planning rules, licensing and tax systems should be changed to facilitate this.

Mr Raymond said on Wednesday, "The crucial issue for the NFU is that this Bill must be underpinned by Government policies that recognise and promote the link between water and food security. Above all, we look to government to deliver a fair share of water to farmers to grow our food and ensure sufficient money is spent to maintain conveyance in our rivers and reduce the risk of flooding."

Backing the farm union's calls, landowners' lobby group the Country, Land and Business Association added the warning that, under new rules, farmers and landowners along main river banks could find themselves liable for flooding or damage on neighbouring land. The Association said on Wednesday that that the Bill as it is currently drafted could leave owners exposed to claims for damage and nuisance through no fault of their own.

CLA North spokesperson Douglas Chalmers said, "The Environment Agency is dealing with reduced budgets by withdrawing from long-standing flood defence commitments, effectively passing on the cost and responsibility to farmers and landowners, who could [now] face legal claims from the owners of adjoining properties in the event of flooding."

The landowners' group also said that, due to the withdrawal of flood defences in certain areas, some people could have their homes and businesses classified as being at "serious risk of flooding," which would have a number of adverse effects. Mr Chalmers added that this potential oversight, "disproportionately affects farmers and landowners whose land happens to lie along the course of a river." 

The water reforms have proven controversial for consumers' groups as well, with critics – including a former Ofwat director – arguing that water companies and government have failed to investigate cheaper and greener alternatives to a 'super-sewer' in London that is predicted to lead to water prices rising above the rate of inflation.

Green groups share concerns

Environment groups also expressed concerns over the reforms. Wildlife charity WWF cautioned that "A third of England's rivers are in danger of long term damage that could ruin the country’s cherished environment, landscapes and wildlife if new legislation comes into force without important safeguards in place."

WWF believes that, contrary to the government's stated intentions, the Water Bill could see even more water being taken out of the some of the nation's most water stressed rivers, reducing water levels to a point that would not support native wildlife such as the Water Vole and the Kingfisher. WWF believes that the abstraction licensing system, which sets how much water is taken from the environment, is outdated and not fit for purpose and that reforms do not address concerns over the potential for over-abstraction.

Currently only 60 percent of the water that can be taken through the existing licences is actually abstracted, and yet 15 percent of river catchments are currently over-abstracted (meaning damage to the environment is already occurring). According to WWF, if abstractors took their full quotas the proportion of waters being harmed by over-abstraction would increase dramatically, rising to a third of all sources.

Government figures have shown that poor management and the current levels of water removal mean many English rivers are already feeling the squeeze. Although Defra clams that its reforms will deal with the threats of a growing population and climate change (rain falling in less frequent, but more intense bursts, meaning an increased potential for both  flooding and drought), green groups have warned that chalk streams are already feeling the effects of unsustainable water policy.

85 percent of the world's chalk streams are in England and Environment Agency figures show that over three quarters are currently classed as below 'good' environmental status. The cool, clear water, which make the chalk streams the perfect habitat for wildlife, is also attractive to water companies who appreciate the naturally pure filtered water.

Dr. Rose O'Neill, a freshwater expert at WWF warned, "Introducing incentives to take out more water without introducing long-promised reforms to the abstraction licensing system will result in increased pressure on rivers and wildlife. The Government must put protecting England's natural heritage at the heart of its Water Bill."

Last week, WWF called on the Government to include legislation promised in the 2011 Water White Paper on abstraction reform and to ensure that water regulator Ofwat has a primary duty to sustainable development.