Wildfowl & Wetlands Trust (WWT)

The Government has made a commitment to meet the objectives of the Water Framework Directive, which says the ecology of our waters must be restored to health by 2015. The Blueprint for Water sets out the steps needed to meet this target.

WWT is part of the coalition of organisations who support the Blueprint for Water.

2009 is a year of opportunity, but also of tough decisions for freshwater policy. This year will see the completion of the 2009 water industry Price Review, the River Basin Management Plans, a draft Floods and Water Bill, and the finalisation of the Cave and Walker reviews into the future of the water industry. The outcomes will have a lasting impact on the future of our water and wetland environment, and on our wellbeing.

2009: the time to act is our latest report, which sets out our priorities for 2009. Our recently completed public opinion poll has shown that people do really care about water. The challenge for 2009 is to turn words into action.

10 steps to sustainable water by 2015

Waste less water

Reduce water consumption by at least 20% though more efficient use in homes, buildings and businesses

Keep our rivers flowing and wetlands wet

Amend or revoke licences to abstract water that damage rivers, lakes and wetlands

Price water fairly

Make household water bills reflect the amount of water people use

Make polluters pay

Ensure that those who damage the water environment bear the costs through more effective law enforcement and tougher penalties

Stop pollutants contaminating our water

Introduce targeted regulations to reduce harmful pollutants in water.

Keep sewage out of homes and rivers and off beaches

Upgrade the sewage system to reduce discharges of sewage into urban environments and ecologically sensitive areas

Support water-friendly farming

Help farmers to prevent pollution and restore degraded soils, rivers and wetlands through advice, training and payments

Clean up drainage from roads and buildings

Construct modern drainage systems that prevent pollution entering rivers from buildings and roads

Restore rivers from source to sea

Regenerate rivers, lakes and wetlands in partnership with local communities

Retain water on floodplains and wetlands

Restore large areas of wetland and floodplains to create vital wildlife habitats, improve water quality and quantity, and reduce urban flooding