The Environmental Industries Association (EIA) was pleased to welcome officials from the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) to a recent meeting of the EIA Water Resources Working Group, where members discussed the government’s Water White Paper, A New Vision for Water.
The session provided an opportunity for DEFRA to outline the objectives of the White Paper and its proposed reforms to water regulation, environmental protection, and long‑term water security. Discussions focused on the implications for water quality, pollution reduction, infrastructure investment, and the role of innovation and environmental technologies in supporting delivery.
EIA members welcomed the emphasis on improving environmental outcomes, strengthening accountability, and taking a more integrated, long‑term approach to water management. The discussion also highlighted the importance of effective implementation, clear regulatory signals, and close collaboration between government, regulators, industry, and the environmental services sector.
Reflecting on the meeting, Michael Lunn, CEO of the Environmental Industries Association, said:
“We are grateful to DEFRA for taking the time to engage directly with our Water Resources Working Group. Constructive dialogue of this kind is essential if the ambitions set out in the Water White Paper are to translate into real improvements in water quality, environmental protection, and system resilience. The environmental technologies and services sector stands ready to support delivery, provided the right policy and regulatory frameworks are in place.”
The meeting reinforced the value of early and ongoing engagement with industry as the Water White Paper proposals are developed further and brought forward through legislation and regulatory reform. EIA will continue to work with DEFRA and its members to provide practical insight and evidence on how policy can best support innovation, investment, and delivery across the water sector.