Water Quality - Verbal Update
Minutes:
SH.18/18
The Chairman welcomed the Estuaries Officer and the Environment Agency (EA) Representative to the meeting to conduct a presentation on Water Quality.
During their presentation, particular reference was made to:-
- ‘water quality’ had many different meanings and measures but underlined the very health of the Estuary and indeed the Harbour and required a catchment and community-wide effort to conserve and enhance it;
- the role that the Estuaries Officer played within the local community to raise an informed and active awareness of water quality matters;
- the duty of regard that the Harbour and other relevant authorities had upon them towards the Water Framework Directive;
- the vital importance of knowing our local waters and the need for timely reporting of incidents and pollution via the EA’s 24/7 Emergency hotline (0800 807060);
- the water body classification. It was noted that the Harbour continued to be classified as ‘Moderate’ against the Water Framework Directive. This was the same as in 2009 and it was confirmed that the reasons for this classification could be found on the online ‘Catchment Data Explorer’ (https://bit.ly/2TtItB8);
- the UK Government had this year launched its 25-year Environment Plan. In April 2018, ‘New Farming Rules for Water’ had been launched and these would be regulated through the EA. In discussion, Members welcomed that this was an important change that should be welcomed;
- budgetary pressures. Similarly to all other areas of the public sector, the Board acknowledged that the EA was having to monitor its budgets incredibly closely and that this was culminating in the organisation having to work within very tight constraints. As a consequence, the organisation recognised the value of local knowledge and was particularly keen to improve dialogue with local authorities and he Harbour Authority;
- Brexit. The representative confirmed that every indication was that Central Government remained wholly committed to maintaining the existing environmental standards.
In the subsequent discussion, the following points were raised:-
(a) When questioned, the representative informed that South West Water had considered the recent works that had been undertaken to separate rain water from sewage in Salcombe had been a great success;
(b) The Board noted that a local project was underway to encourage the engagement of holidaymakers to continue their high standard of waste disposal whilst on holiday as they would at their primary residence;
(c) All Members recognised that excess sedimentation was a significant issue in this area.
In conclusion, the Chairman thanked the Estuaries Officer and the EA representative for their informative presentation and he gave an assurance that all Members recognised the fact that water quality was a major issue for the Harbour.