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Written question asked by Daisy Cooper (Liberal Democrat) on Monday, 29 June 2026, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Wednesday, 1 July 2026. It was answered by Emma Hardy (Labour) on Thursday, 2 July 2026 on behalf of the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs.

Rivers: Sewage

Question

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment she has made of the potential merits of implementing the measures in the Chalk Streams (Sewerage Investment) Bill.

Answer

This Government is committed to the protection and restoration of our cherished chalk streams.

We are already taking action to hold water companies and other polluters to account through the Water (Special Measures) Act 2025 and water companies are required to prepare, publish and maintain comprehensive Drainage and Wastewater Management Plans setting out the actions the company intends to take or continue, to deliver robust public sewerage services and prevent environmental damage, including to chalk streams.

Chalk streams are ‘high-priority sites’ as part of the Storm Overflows Discharge Reduction Plan and are prioritised as part of the £11bn of investment to improve nearly 3,000 storm overflows in England and Wales over the next 5 years.

Secondary information

Type
Written question
Reference
13920
Session
2026-27
Subjects
Pollution control Sewage Rivers
Legislation
Chalk Streams (Sewerage Investment) Bill 2024-26
Link
View this Written question on www.parliament.uk