[QUOTE=diawl bach;530501]It's a little disconcerting to read the preceeding posts which show so much confidence in the EA's appraisal of the rivers which they're failing to keep clean. Many of their claims don't stand up to the breifest scrutiny and have an unfounded optimism that won't cut any ice with the EC.
England, Wales and Holland have tried to wriggle out of the standards set by the water framework directive by utilising exemptions which allow them to claim special circumstances for the poor state of their rivers and lakes -
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There are massive data gaps in the EA's assessments which undermine any confidence that may be taken in their pronouncements regarding the status of rivers and lakes.
An interesting, if a little simplistic viewpoint. There are,however, a few realities which you seem not to have taken account of:
1.Population of Britain is around 65 million people, a fair few of which live in England and Wales, and all of which are having an impact on our watercourses via sewage, industrial and general urban influences.
2. The EA can only succeed in keeping our rivers clean( to whatever standard - WFD 'good environmental quality' for example) to the extent to which they are resourced and funded to do so - budget are being cut year on year and have been for ages. It's easy to keep blaming 'they' without seeing the whole picture. As usual, some people are expecting a rolls royce job for robin reliant money.
This has been done before on the CSO thread - eg. as far as the sewer network goes, water company money being spent on the network at a certain rate may or may not assist in WFD objectives being met (by 2015 don't forget) - certainly the pie in the sky statements of some people on here that all CSO discharges must be stopped tomorrow is NOT going to happen. It will taken billions and many many years, and may not even keep pace with population expansion.
As for the WFD, I am of the opinion that on the face of it the 2015 deadline of good ecological quality for all rivers (non- heavily modifed, that is) and the programmes of measures to be paid for and carried out to get them there, can't be done. It is also unclear as to how ' good ecological potential' will need to be satisfied for those heavily modified watercourses ( this can include urbanisation etc as well as having been physically changed) which are the large majority in NW region anyway.......
So before slating 'they' make sure you know who 'they' are. In this case it is down to the government deciding what they want to spend money on and how much - not the EA.
So DB, apart from leaving the country and taking about 20 million people with you, there is not much that can be done, just like that. I wish things were as easy as you suggesting and a simple kicking up the backside of the EA will solve all problems.......
UK rivers failing new EU standard
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