Clean Water Sports Alliance (CWSA) consultation and lobbying update
Working as a partner in the Clean Water Sports Alliance (CWSA) we have submitted a Surfing England response to the call for evidence from the Independent Water Commission. We have also contributed to a CWSA “open letter” to the Chair of the Commission Sir Jon Cunliffe.
Both the response to the call for evidence and the open letter was framed within the Clean Water Sports Alliance three core priorities:
1: Go further, faster on pollution. Improve the health of UK waters by 2030, by holding polluters accountable for their actions. Government to reassess targets, increase funding and direct regulators.
2: Enable people to make real-time informed choices: Protect our participants and athletes. Accurate access to real-time water quality information all year.
3: Recognition of all recreational water users across decision making and policy. Ensure the voice of recreational water users are heard when making our waters fit for use.
In addition, the responses made clear that the CWSA wanted to see:
- The Commission make recommendations that recognise the importance of recreational use of water by people.
- A clearly defined ‘public health’ objective that considers the following:
- Greater prioritisation given to interventions that address the direct risk posed to public health by microbial and chemical pollutants.
- Further reform of governance and regulation of water companies, creating purpose-led organisations that are transparent and compliant with the law.
- Accelerate the use of innovative technologies as part of a nationally coordinated environmental monitoring strategy.
- Introduce more ambitious catchment management systems that include recreational users in decision making.
- Strengthen duties placed on water companies to provide access for recreational opportunities.
- Funds generated from fines and penalties should be ring fenced and reinvested into projects that protect and restore the water environment.
CWSA – Athletes
We have been working with the CWSA to invite and include the voice of open water sport-based athletes. Athletes have to live with the sometimes dire consequences of polluted waters, affecting their health, training programmes and levels of performance. The CWSA is in the process with athletes of forming the CWSA – Athletes, bringing their voice and views to the table and ensuring they are fully represented. We will in the near future be seeking expression of interest form Athletes who may want to be part of the group.
For any further queries, please contact info@surfingengland.org
