Rivers are the lifeblood of the landscape

Published: 1 May 2025 

Chief Executive, Rose O’Neill, outlines our response to the Cunliffe Review and the next steps in our water campaign 

May is the most wonderful time to see chalk streams. We have some of the best in the world here in the South Downs National Park. This month, the river Meon is gin clear, with emerald green swathes of water buttercup and clouds of electric blue demoiselles – and of course the spectacle that is the mayfly hatch. The Meon is one of only ~200 chalk streams in the world, but its National Park status has long been ignored in water decision making. The river is not considered a priority by water regulators and companies who considered it to be “disproportionately expensive” to return the river to full health.  

This ‘designation blindness’ has longed played out on rivers, lakes and streams across the National Parks – and we’re campaigning for National Park waterways to be prioritised and properly protected. Last week, we submitted response to the Independent Water Commission ‘Cunliffe’ Review which called for evidence on the state of the water sector across England and Wales. Our response highlighted the perverse situation resulting in National Park waters being ignored, or even in worse state than the rest of the country. We proposed solutions including: 

1. Leadership by Governments in England and Wales to require that companies and regulators prioritise National Park waterways (as a critical part of delivering their ‘30×30’ commitments), deliver programmes of measures faster, and meet the highest Water Framework Directive standards.  
2. Reform of the price review with greater transparency. We recommended a not-for-profit model, but if that is not adopted, there must be great transparency on profits, and reform so that profits are not at odds with environmental action. It is also critical that companies and shareholders (and not the public) must foot the bill for stopping widespread illegal pollution.  
3. Using new powers in the Levelling Up and Regeneration Act to make detailed regulations that require water companies and regulators to take action to clean up waterways in National Parks and National Landscapes in England, and creation of similar powers in Wales.  

Since we launched our water campaign last summer, we have made some good progress. Water Minister Emma Hardy made a commitment to Parliament to take forward the regulations (our third recommendation above). Following our complaint to the Office of Environmental Protection, Ofwat requested that all companies address the requirements of the Protected Landscapes duties. But we will not stop until National Park waterways are in good ecological health. We’re holding the Water Minister to her promise to ensure new National Park waterways regulations are swiftly implemented in England. We are working to secure an amendment to the law in the Senedd to enable similar action in Wales.  

We’d love you help. Please write to your MP or MS and ask them: will government prioritise National Park waterways in your planned water reforms?  Use our campaign form below to send your letter. 

Image: Cuckmere Haven, South Downs © Hugo Healy