Make polluters pay

Much of the pollution of our water goes undetected and those responsible often get away with it. Even when we know who they are, polluters typically pay for only a fraction of the damage they cause.

Ensure that those who damage the water environment bear the costs through more effective law enforcement and tougher penalties

1. By 2007, Defra and the Department for Constitutional Affairs (DCA) must publish new guidance for Magistrates and Crown Courts for significant increases in the fines for pollution incidents, such that they reflect the damage caused.
2. By 2008, Defra and DCA must amend both the Water Resources Act 1991 and the Salmon and Freshwater Fisheries Act 1975 to remove the statutory limit on fines and require fines to take account of the damage caused.
3. By 2008, Defra and its agencies should significantly increase investment in the monitoring and enforcement of existing pollution laws, including cross-compliance requirements for EU farm payments.
4. By 2009, the Environment Agency and Ofwat must ensure that the charges paid for water abstraction and industrial waste discharge reflect the financial and environmental costs.
   
5. By 2012, the Government should introduce a levy on damaging agricultural chemicals and use the funds raised to help farmers reduce water pollution.