11th September 2024

The Love Windermere Partnership was proud to have been invited as an important stakeholder to the recent event hosted by the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, Steve Reed at the Thames Rowing Club. The event, which outlined the new legislative reforms for the water sector, brought together key stakeholders including national parks, environmental campaigners, water companies and government bodies committed to addressing the ongoing challenges of water quality and pollution.

In his speech, Steve Reed introduced the Water (Special Measures) Bill, aimed at overhauling the way water companies are held accountable for pollution incidents. The legislation proposed enhanced powers for regulators, stricter penalties for company executives and an easier process for The Environment Agency to prosecute companies that breach environmental regulations.

Love Windermere, a partnership dedicated to protecting, monitoring, and enhancing Windermere’s water quality, was represented by Environment Agency’s Andy Brown, who expressed support for the reforms.

Andy said: “I’m delighted Love Windermere was among a wide range of organisations at last week’s event. We know that working together is key to facilitate real, lasting change; this includes the more immediate changes announced last week and the potential for longer terms reforms, which offer an opportunity to strengthen our collective efforts in protecting unique and special places like Windermere.”

The Love Windermere partnership brings together public, voluntary and private sector organisations with local stakeholders to improve water quality, reduce pollution, and ensure long-term environmental sustainability. With the new measures outlined in the Water (Special Measures) Bill, the partnership is optimistic about making even greater strides in safeguarding Windermere’s unique natural environment for future generations.