NGOs partner with water companies to protect the environment

Nine water companies have joined with twenty NGOs to create shared principles for sustainable water.

Yesterday, the companies, which are part of an organisation called Blueprint for Water, signed an agreement intending for the shared principles to deliver “more effective joint working” on environmental and wildlife issues, including more on the ground projects.

They have committed to tackling pollution and working with farmers on more environmentally-friendly agricultural techniques.

Hannah Freeman of Wildfowl & Wetlands Trust, Chair of Blueprint for Water, said: “This is the first time water companies and nature charities have agreed how to work together ahead of business plans being delivered. With our waters under increasing pressure it is essential that businesses and environmentalists are more joined-up in acting as their guardians.”

This news follows water companies submitting business plans to Ofwat, the body that is responsible for the economic regulation of the privatised water in England and Wales, in a bid to be more sustainable.

Notably, Thames Water, the UK’s biggest water and wastewater service provider, has pledged to invest £11.7 billion to improve infrastructure, service and efficiency over the 2020-25 period.

Steve Robertson, Thames Water Chief Executive Officer, said: “Our primary role, to provide resilient water and waste services to customers across London and the Thames Valley, touches the environment on multiple levels every single day. When planning our investment it’s hugely important to work closely with environmental groups to limit the impact we have and ensure we sustain a thriving environment for future generations.”