A Bill to make provision for the designation of rivers, streams and lakes as having protected status is scheduled for a second reading in Parliament today (4 July 2025).
In the UK Parliament, the second reading is the first opportunity for MPs to debate the main principles of the Bill.
The Rivers, Streams and Lakes (Protected Status) Bill, introduced to Parliament in December 2024 by Liberal Democrat MP Victoria Collins, aims to specify criteria for minimum standards that a site must meet where it has been designated as a river, stream or lake with protected status; to set minimum standards of water quality, safety, environmental management and provision of information in relation to such sites; and for connected purposes.
Also on Parliament’s agenda today, but subject to there being time in the sitting, is the continuation of the second reading of the Water Bill. The second reading took place on 28 March 2025, but the debate was adjourned.
The Water Bill was introduced in the House of Commons in October 2024 by Labour MP Clive Lewis. He has criticised the current regulation and governance of the water sector, and has advocated for “public ownership, not just nationalisation” to “rebuild trust in the government’s commitment to the common good.” In an article published in Labour List, he set out that he intends for his private member’s bill to serve “as a blue print for economic democracy and climate adaptation”.
The Water Bill focuses on introducing new objectives and targets for both the Secretary of State and the economic regulator, Ofwat, on clean water, climate change, affordability and governance. It makes provisions for a strategy to achieve these objectives and targets, which would be informed by both an Independent Commission and a Citizens’ Assembly.
The long title of the bill is:
“A Bill to set targets and objectives relating to water, including in relation to the ownership of water companies and to climate mitigation and adaptation; to require the Secretary of State to publish and implement a strategy for achieving those targets and objectives; to establish a Commission on Water to advise the Secretary of State on that strategy; to make provision about the powers and duties of that Commission, including a requirement to establish a Citizens’ Assembly on water ownership; and for connected purposes.”
This bill has a broad scope, and touches on a range of issues across the water sector. It proposes a new approach to address some of these issues, with a strategy developed through multi-level stakeholder engagement of both those working in or involved with the water sector and civil society (though an independent commission and citizens’ assembly). It would extend to England and Wales.
