It’s been a busy time for Paddle UK and the Clean Water Sports Alliance (CWSA), which has recently marked its first year anniversary.
Ben Seal, Paddle UK’s Head of Access & Environment, and other representatives of the Alliance met with the Independent Water Commission to discuss views about improving the health of UK waters, on 1 April.
Ben said it was a “Fantastic team effort” from all the sports that attended the meeting.
The Commission is currently taking written evidence through its call for evidence and is also meeting with key stakeholder groups.
Its recommendations for a reformed water sector will be published in June.
Ben said:
“We put forward a really strong, compelling case calling for Government, regulators and the water sector to do much more to protect public health and for recreational bodies like ours to have a say in future decision making.”
“We talked through the positive steps that had been made recently with the national discharge map and proposed bathing water reforms, but explained that the system was just not geared towards reflecting the needs of people as well as the environment.”
Paddle UK and the Alliance will be submitting evidence jointly before the deadline of 23 April.
Have your say on the Independent Water Commission’s call for evidence >>
Ben was also at the launch of the Clean Water Sports Alliance Northern Ireland, at Stormant, in Belfast, on 2 April, backing a vision for healthy blue spaces in the country.
He said:
“Very proud to represent the Alliance in Belfast at the launch of the CWSA NI.
“Good to see the event at Stormont well supported by Members of the Legislative Assembly (MLA) and the Minister.
“It is fantastic to see the Clean Water Sports Alliance family growing, with sports from England, Wales and Northern Ireland all now coming together to champion clean water.”
Find out more about CWSA NI >>
Both events followed the news last week that water firms spilled raw sewage for a record time of 3.61m hours into sea and rivers in England in 2024.
The Environment Agency said that while the total number of spills were down, average spills in 2024 were longer in duration.
Spill data for the devolved nations is released separately.
This was obviously disappointing news. Paddle UK and CWSA will continue to campaign and work with the government and authorities to improve the situation going forward.
The CWSA represents 450,000 members, athletes, and water users, who are impacted by poor water quality and pollution, was founded in 2024.
Paddle UK, British Rowing, British Triathlon, GB Outrigger, Royal Yachting Association, Swim England, the Angling Trust, Surfing England, British Kitesport, British Sub-Aqua Club (BSAC) and the British Dragon Boat Racing Association (BDA).