In the last three months there have been scores of meetings and events to discuss many aspects of water management across the UK. And at the end of November, there were significant floods in parts of the UK, showing that we really haven’t got a grip of stormwater management. There has been a change of government too, so Policy is changing and the focus may be shifting.
I have done my best to attend and to present at as many events as possible, to reach as many people as I can. I have covered a variety of topics from the management of silty water on construction sites, to the creation of wildlife habitats, but most of my presentations have been about pollution from highway runoff to build on the publication of our report in May this year. There have been site visits too, in Sheffield, London, Cardiff, Enfield and more, and I’ve even taken some soil samples to have on my kitchen windowsill.
But because we are a Charity, we have to keep our focus on the delivery of our charitable objects so it’s important at this time of year to reflect on our activities and see if we are making any tangible progress.
I think that it is fair to say that we have made a difference this year. National Highways published a water quality plan in anticipation of our report being published; they have set out what they intend to do with their outfalls and soakaways by 2030. And the Environment Agency are taking part in discussions about pollution from highway runoff too, considering their position and talking to National Highways and DEFRA. Even the water companies are starting to take an interest too, as they take urban runoff out of their sewers to reduce sewer overflows. Researchers are investigating urban pollution and microplastic tyre wear particles are being measured around the World. This is a marked shift in activity around this topic and although we cannot take all the credit for it, there is no doubt that the concerted effort of Stormwater Shepherds UK and its partners has played a significant role in this. As we approach 2025, we hope to see highway outfalls feature in River Basin Plans and to see monitoring of a small number of outfalls by the Environment Agency.
As more people pay attention, and Citizen Scientists collect evidence of the harm caused by highway runoff across the UK, we hope to build on this progress and to see faster delivery of effective treatment schemes that are well-maintained on as many outfalls as possible.
Our next priority is to work out how UK PLC will pay for it, because that remains the crux of the matter. Have you any ideas how this work will be paid for? Should road tax be increased to pay for it? Or would you pay a levy when you buy a tyre or a brake pad to create a fund for pollution control? Let us have your ideas!
