Water is a precious resource that we can’t live without, from supplying drinking water and supporting fisheries to providing an essential resource to business and agriculture, and a source of recreation.
Water pollution and drought threaten these things. Therefore, it is critical that our rivers, lakes, estuaries, coastal areas, wetlands and groundwater are managed properly. This ensures the needs of society, the economy and environment can be met and maintained over the long-term.
River basin planning provides an overarching strategic framework for managing the water environment. River basin management plans include the objectives and measures required to protect and improve the water environment. Water and land resources are closely linked and so river basin management plans also inform decisions on land-use planning and work alongside other plans and strategies, such as flood risk management plans.
The current river basin management plans were published in February 2016. The proposed updated plans, available to view on the government's website from 21 October 2022, has been informed by three consultations below, which started in 2018.
By responding to these consultations you have helped to shape the management of the water environment. The information gathered through these consultations helps us produce updates to the current river basin management plans.
We will also use your responses to help us consider how some of the current approaches to the management of water in England will need to change in response to a changing climate and a growing population.
The consultations are your opportunity to help shape the review and update of the river basin management plans. Click on the links below for more information and to access the consultation.
Working Together: June 2018 (closed December 2018)
Through the Working Together consultation you gave us your views on the work plan, timetable and process for how we should work together with stakeholders to review and update river basin management plans in 2021.
Click here for more information on the Working Together consultation and to read our consultation response document.
Challenges and Choices: October 2019 (closing September 2020)
Through the Challenges and Choices consultation, you gave us your views on the significant water management issues and how they should be addressed.
Click here for more information on the Challenges and Choices consultation and to read our consultation response document.
Draft updated river basin management plans: October 2021
The draft updated river basin management plans consultation asks for your views on the proposed long term objectives for the water environment and the measures to achieve them.
This consultation is open for responses from 22 October 2021 for 6 months
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