A campaign group that aims to be the voice of the River Teign has welcomed calls for local communities to have more of a say in the future of the water industry in England and Wales.

Friends of the River Teign was responding to the publication of the interim findings of the Independent Water Commission on Tuesday (June 3).

The Independent Water Commission was set up last October to come up with ways the government can reform the water sector. It is due to publish its final report later this summer.

After speaking to the public, campaigners, industry, regulators and many others between February and April, the Independent Water Commission said there are likely to be five areas of focus to reset the water sector in England and Wales.

These include: clearer direction from government; stronger regulation of water companies; bringing decisions on water systems closer to local communities; and greater focus on responsible, long-term investors.

‘It’s pleasing to see our call for a greater say for local communities, reflected in the report,’ said Stuart Reynolds from Friends of the River Teign. ‘The report calls for a stronger voice for local communities. It means bringing decisions on water systems, such as where new infrastructure is built or how pollution from different sources should be tackled, closer to the communities who depend on them,’ he explained.

‘This is exactly what the Friends of the River Teign group, and fellow groups around the country, are about. It was something we made clear to Sir John that we wanted reflected in the final report,’ Stuart continued.

A representative from Friends of the River Teign, along with delegates from Friends of the River Dart met with the chair of the Independent Water Commission, Sir John Cunliffe, in May.

At the time, Sir John Cunliffe made it clear that the current system is not working for anyone, least of all for the environment. ‘This is mirrored in the interim report, which talks of ‘deep-rooted systemic and interlocking failures over the years’,’ noted Stuart.

These include failure in government strategy and planning for the future, failure in regulation to protect billpayers and the environment, and failure by soe water companies and their owners to act in the public, as well as their private, interest.

Speaking as the report was published, Sir John Cunliffe said: ‘There is no simple, single change, no matter how radical, that will deliver the fundamental reset that is needed for the water sector.’

He continued: ‘My view is that all these issues need to be tackled to rebuild public trust and make the system fit for the future.’

Rivers groups will have to wait for several years before this starts to take shape fully and the interim report anticipates that new legislation will be required.

‘In the meantime, we will continue to represent the interests of our river as best we can under the current system,’ Stuart said.