水务部门的10项行动——向独立水务委员会提供的证据

Arup’s evidence to theIndependent Water CommissionThis report provides Arup’s evidence to theIndependent Water Commission. The report focuseson 10 actions that we think need to happen to betterdeliver outcomes for society and the environment.ContentsPage 3 – The actions we need to take and what theywill achievePage 4 – For each action, further details on why theaction is needed, how it can be implemented andwhere similar action is already taking place.Page20– AppendixA: Arup and Ferns NaturalCapital Strategy’s submission to the IWC: ACatchment Governance ModelThere have been widespread callsfor reform of the water sector inEngland and Wales. In response,the Government established theIndependent Water Commission toprovide recommendations on thestrategic management of water and thewater industry in England and Wales.In February 2025, thecommission putout acall forevidence that closed on23 April 2025.10 Actions for the Water Sector – Evidence to the Independent Water Commission Arup’swaterbusinessArup is owned in trust for the benefit of employeesand charities. Our firm of designers, engineers,sustainability consultants, advisors and expertsare dedicated to sustainable development, and tousing creativity, technology and rigour to shape abetter world.Arup’s water business operates across the water cycle.Our ambition is to help a billion people globally andunlock long-term economic, environmental and socialvalue. We have over 2,000 people working globallyin the water sector on water-related challenges, andwe support clients across the full spectrum fromvision, policy, strategy and governance, to design,delivery and management of infrastructure assets.Arup is currently working with some of the largestwater organisations in the UK and globally, includingutilities, regulators, local and regional governments,commercial, industrial and domestic water users, andenvironmental stakeholders. Developing this responseOur 10 actions reflect the insights of our water expertsfrom the UK and across the globe, including leadersworking across the water cycle, in water resources,wastewater, flood resilience, policy, governanceand regulation. We also convened our YoungWater Professionals (YWP) network to ensure theperspective of future leaders in the sector is captured.Note: this document is based on the documentsubmitted to the Independent Water Commission withsome minor edits to support wider publication. Nochanges to the content have been made. 2 Our 10 actionsBelow are our 10 actions the water sector can taketo develop a clear vision for the future, strengthenalignment within and across sectors, make betterdecisions and improve implementation.To strengthen alignmentwithin and across sectorsWe need to align regulation to key outcomesand reduce undue burden.We need to work closely with other systems(e.g. energy, housing, agriculture andindustry) and recognise the interdependenciesbetween the resilience of these systems andthe role water plays in economic growth.We need improved collection, governanceand transparency of data to enhance decisionmaking, innovation and trust.We need a common framework forasset health to support decision-makingand transparency.4567 To develop a clearvision for the futureWe need to collectively develop a nationalvision that sets the long-term direction andoutcomes for the sector.We need integrated catchment plans thataddress the pressures impacting riverhealth, and we need to empower actors todeliver these plans.We need policy decisions to be holistic,well understood and assessed, whilstrecognising critical trade-offs between thewater environment, carbon, affordabilityand growth. To make better decisionsand improve implementationWe need a more flexible regulatoryregime to enable innovation and agility.We need to enable the adoption ofnature-based solutions.We need to ensure we can deliverrecord levels of investment. 10 123 To develop a clearvision for the futureLake Vyrnwy, Wales We need to collectively develop anational vision that sets the long-termdirection and outcomes for the sector.Why is this action needed?Over the last few years, the UK water sector(particularly water companies and regulators) hasfaced wide-spread negative media coverage. Thisnegativity has eroded public trust and led to increasedscrutiny of water companies and their management.A recent report by CIWEM found that the publicrecognise the challenges facing water companiesbut are unhappy at the management of the system,including what they see to be excessive profits anda failure to enforce penalties on poor companyperformance. As a result, the sector is perceived anas unattractive place to work and is facing difficultiesattracting talent.There is an opportunity to develop a national, unifyingvision, with clear goals and outcomes, to direct actionacross the water sector. A clear vision will articulatethe direction of travel of the sector and support thenarrative that steps are being made towards change.The vision will br