current and future predicted impacts of climate change on their organisations, and
their proposals for adapting to climate change. Many of these programmes and
policies have influenced climate change adaptation planning and implementation
within water management settings in the UK and in Somerset. There have been a
wide range of research papers and policy white papers in the water sector assessing
the climate change impacts on the UK water sector (e.g. Defra 2013; Fenn and
Wilby 2011; HM Government 2008, 2011, 2012, 201; Wade et al. 2013). Relatedly,
the water industry in the UK has engaged with a range of activities related to
climate change forecasting and adaptation plans as part of their water resource
management plans (WRMPs are also part of the Water Framework Directive—
WFD—reporting requirements).
Water management in the UK reflects a complex, multilayered and multi-actor
regulatory and governance system. Water resources are managed differently across
country boundaries in the UK; therefore, the following description applies to England
only. Defra (Department of Environment Food and Rural Affairs) has the overall
responsibility for policy related to the water and sanitation sector (e.g. quality of
drinking water and other waters, sewerage treatment and reservoir safety). Defra also
ensures that the “legislative framework for water management is fit-for-purpose”
(Environment Agency 2015a, p. 7). The executive body who has responsibility for
environmental regulation (long-term planning for quality, water provision, climate
change adaptation, WFD implementation) is the EA. Economic regulation of the
water industry falls under OFWAT (Office of Water Services), and monitoring of
drinking water quality is covered by the Drinking Water Inspectorate. Natural
England (NE) is an executive non-departmental public body responsible to the
Secretary of State for Environment Food and Rural Affairs with a remit to manage and
adapt areas of natural significance, and to manage green farming schemes in England.
In Somerset, Irrigation Drainage Boards (IDBs) oversee district water level
management (of the Levels and Moors), and they also work on water level management in order to reduce flood risk to property and people. The IDBs are
co-defined as Risk Management Authorities within the Flood Water and
Management Act of 2010 alongside the EA, local authorities and water companies
(Association of Drainage Authorities, no date). Defra is responsible for the IDBs;
however, they work closely with the EA and lead local flood authorities, and are
funded by a range of beneficiaries only one of which is the government. The
Somerset Drainage Board Consortium (SDBC) is responsible for managing water
levels to protect people, the environment and property (SDBC 2014). The English
drinking water and wastewater companies are privatised but are still regulated by,
and have reporting responsibilities to, the governmental bodies identified above—
Defra, EA, OFWAT and the DWI (Water UK 2015).
Somerset County Council (SCC) is responsible for managing strategic local
services in Somerset. With regards to water management, they have a role to play in
emergency planning, consumer protection, town and country planning and local
flood management. They also act as ‘knowledge brokers’ for climate change
adaptation awareness raising and other activities. Finally, there are a range of
NGO’s (non-governmental organisations) and associated stakeholders who have
5 Governing for Drought and Water Scarcity …
87
their proposals for adapting to climate change. Many of these programmes and
policies have influenced climate change adaptation planning and implementation
within water management settings in the UK and in Somerset. There have been a
wide range of research papers and policy white papers in the water sector assessing
the climate change impacts on the UK water sector (e.g. Defra 2013; Fenn and
Wilby 2011; HM Government 2008, 2011, 2012, 201; Wade et al. 2013). Relatedly,
the water industry in the UK has engaged with a range of activities related to
climate change forecasting and adaptation plans as part of their water resource
management plans (WRMPs are also part of the Water Framework Directive—
WFD—reporting requirements).
Water management in the UK reflects a complex, multilayered and multi-actor
regulatory and governance system. Water resources are managed differently across
country boundaries in the UK; therefore, the following description applies to England
only. Defra (Department of Environment Food and Rural Affairs) has the overall
responsibility for policy related to the water and sanitation sector (e.g. quality of
drinking water and other waters, sewerage treatment and reservoir safety). Defra also
ensures that the “legislative framework for water management is fit-for-purpose”
(Environment Agency 2015a, p. 7). The executive body who has responsibility for
environmental regulation (long-term planning for quality, water provision, climate
change adaptation, WFD implementation) is the EA. Economic regulation of the
water industry falls under OFWAT (Office of Water Services), and monitoring of
drinking water quality is covered by the Drinking Water Inspectorate. Natural
England (NE) is an executive non-departmental public body responsible to the
Secretary of State for Environment Food and Rural Affairs with a remit to manage and
adapt areas of natural significance, and to manage green farming schemes in England.
In Somerset, Irrigation Drainage Boards (IDBs) oversee district water level
management (of the Levels and Moors), and they also work on water level management in order to reduce flood risk to property and people. The IDBs are
co-defined as Risk Management Authorities within the Flood Water and
Management Act of 2010 alongside the EA, local authorities and water companies
(Association of Drainage Authorities, no date). Defra is responsible for the IDBs;
however, they work closely with the EA and lead local flood authorities, and are
funded by a range of beneficiaries only one of which is the government. The
Somerset Drainage Board Consortium (SDBC) is responsible for managing water
levels to protect people, the environment and property (SDBC 2014). The English
drinking water and wastewater companies are privatised but are still regulated by,
and have reporting responsibilities to, the governmental bodies identified above—
Defra, EA, OFWAT and the DWI (Water UK 2015).
Somerset County Council (SCC) is responsible for managing strategic local
services in Somerset. With regards to water management, they have a role to play in
emergency planning, consumer protection, town and country planning and local
flood management. They also act as ‘knowledge brokers’ for climate change
adaptation awareness raising and other activities. Finally, there are a range of
NGO’s (non-governmental organisations) and associated stakeholders who have
5 Governing for Drought and Water Scarcity …
87