Water industry
This page highlights some of the current parliamentary material available on the water industry and water supply. This includes select committee reports, briefing papers on current legislation and other subjects produced by the parliamentary research services, and the latest Early Day Motions put down by MPs.
Standard Notes
| Date | Description |
|---|---|
| 08.11.2012 | Sewer flooding |
| 16.03.2012 | Waste Water National Policy Statement |
| This note provides background information on the Waste Water National Policy Statement, which streamlines planning policy for nationally significant waste water treatment projects such as the Thames Tunnel. | |
| 05.03.2012 | Fluoridation |
| This notes sets out the positions of various groups regarding the effects of fluoridation of drinking water. It also sets out the Government's position. Information on legislation relating to fluoridation can be found in standard note SN/SC/3135. | |
| 27.02.2012 | The Water Industry (Financial Assistance) Bill 2010-12 |
| The Water Industry (Financial Assistance) Bill contains two measures. One will give the Government the discretion to reduce water bills in certain regions. The other will give the Government the discretion to provide financial assistance for major water and sewage infrastructure projects. Initially the Government plans to use these powers to reduce water bills in the South West of England and to support the Thames Tunnel project. | |
| 30.11.2011 | Surface water drainage charge (rain tax) |
| This note introduces the debate surrounding the surface water drainage charge, or 'rain tax'. Following a change in legislation, water companies are now permitted to introduce surface water drainage charge concessionary rates for community groups. |
Research Papers
| Date | Description |
|---|---|
| 10.12.2009 | Flood and Water Management Bill. Bill 9 2009-10. |
| There has been growing pressure to introduce legislation to address the threat of flooding and water scarcity-both are predicted to increase with climate change. The Government published a draft Flood and Water Management Bill in April 2009, and the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Select Committee undertook pre-legislative scrutiny of the document. The Committee welcomed a number of the proposals, but it was concerned that a lack of parliamentary time would undermine the introduction of a comprehensive Bill. The Government introduced a slimmed-down version of the Bill on 19 November 2009. Key features include measures to: require the Environment Agency to create a National Flood and Coastal Erosion Risk Management Strategy, which a number of organisations will have to follow; require lead local flood authorities to create Local Flood Risk Management Strategies; enable the Environment Agency and local authorities more easily to carry out flood risk management works; introduce a more risk-based approach to reservoir management; change the arrangements that would apply should a water company go into administration; enable water companies more easily to control non-essential uses of water, such as the use of hosepipes; enable water companies to offer concessions to community groups for surface water drainage charges; require the use of sustainable drainage systems in certain new developments; and, introduce a mandatory build standard for sewers. | |
| 04.09.2003 | Water Bill (HL) (Bill 149 2002/03) |
| Water Bill (HL) (Bill 149 2002/03). House of Commons Library Research Paper 03/67. | |
| 10.12.1998 | Water Industry Bill: Bill 1 1998/99 |
| Water Industry Bill: Bill 1 1998/99. House of Commons Library Research Paper 98/117. (Supersedes Research Paper 98/110). |
Early Day Motions
| Date | Description |
|---|---|
| 01.11.2011 | THAMES TUNNEL |
| That this House is concerned that the recent report by Lord Selborne, instigated by the London Borough of Hammersmith and Fulham, long-standing opponents of the Thames Tunnel, fails ... | |
| 16.07.2009 | SURFACE WATER DRAINAGE CHARGES |
| That this House is extremely concerned by the impact of changes to the way surface water drainage is charged that allows water companies to base the charge for processing rainwater ... | |
| 14.07.2009 | SURFACE WATER DRAINAGE CHARGES AND THE VOLUNTARY SECTOR |
| That this House notes the impact of increased charges by some water companies for surface water drainage on places of worship, scout and guide associations and community amateur sports ... | |
| 22.04.2009 | UTILITY COMPANIES' BUSINESS PRACTICES |
| That this House notes the importance of utility companies exercising socially responsible and sustainable business practices; congratulates the staff and directors of Northumbrian Water ... | |
| 04.03.2009 | WATER CHARGES FOR SCOUT GROUPS |
| That this House notes the enormous contribution scout groups and other voluntary organisations make in helping local communities; notes with dismay the water regulator Ofwat's decision ... |
POST Papers
| Date | Description |
|---|---|
| 15.09.2011 | Water in production and products |
| This POSTnote examines how virtual water use is calculated and its application within the global economy. | |
| 01.10.2010 | Resilience of UK infrastructure |
| This POSTnote outlines efforts to improve the resilience of infrastructure to the risks of natural hazards and any effects of future climate change. | |
| 01.04.2007 | Energy and sewage, April 2007 |
| Energy and sewage, April 2007. POSTnote 07/282. |
