Policy Connect, through the Westminster Sustainable Business Forum, is gathering evidence for its fifth Bricks and Water inquiry focused on water resources, efficiency and reuse.

The inquiry aims to scrutinise the recent Water White Paper, identify priorities and gaps and make recommendations ahead of the forthcoming Water Bill on practical measures to achieve benefits quickly.

The deadline for submitting evidence is the 29 April 2026.

Learn more and submit evidence here

Following the standard rules public consultation 32 in October 2025, the Environment Agency will shortly be launching the three new standard rules permits for small sewage discharges.

The new permits cover two types of groundwater discharge (SR2025 No 5 and No 6) and one surface water discharge (SR2025 No 7) and can be issued within 20 working days. They will be available from 20th April 2026 via this link.

By way of update, the Government has published a consultation on options to reform the regulatory framework for sewage sludge applied to agricultural land. The consultation includes three options: two regulatory and one non-regulatory, without stating a preferred approach at this stage. As a valued stakeholder, we strongly welcome your views.

The consultation will close 24 March. We encourage you to respond via the consultation platform Citizen Space but you may also respond by email or post. If responding via email, please use the template provided via the consultation link.

Enquiries and responses should be either emailed to WaterQualityandAgricultureTeam@defra.gov.uk or posted to:

Consultation on the regulatory framework for sludge applied to agriculture Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs,
Seacole Building,
Ground Floor,
Marsham Street,
London,
SW1P 4DF

After the consultation, Defra will decide whether to proceed with any of the proposed reforms and whether any further changes are necessary.

If a meeting would be helpful, please don’t hesitate to contact the Water Quality & Agriculture Team