Storm Overflows Taskforce
The Storm Overflows Taskforce will make recommendations on how to prevent harm from storm overflows in England.
The Storm Overflows Taskforce is a joint group established in August 2020. Its objective is to recommend actions to achieve the long-term aim of eliminating harm from storm overflows in England.
Goals
The goals of the Storm Overflows Taskforce are to develop:
- proposals to significantly reduce the frequency and impact of sewage discharges from storm overflows
- short-term actions to accelerate progress to reduce the harm caused by storm overflows
Membership
The taskforce has 9 permanent members, drawn from the water industry, environmental non-governmental organisations, government representatives and regulators. The taskforce is chaired by the Department for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra).
Members of the taskforce are:
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Kirstin Green, Deputy Director (Water Quality), Defra (Chair)
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Jane Learmount, G6 Lead - Water Industry and Targets (Water Quality), Defra
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Juan Scouller, Team Leader - Water Industry Team (Water Quality), Defra
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Keith Davis, Water Quality Regulatory Development Manager, Environment Agency
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Kirelle McManus, Senior Associate (Environment), Ofwat
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Christine Colvin, Director for Partnerships and Communications, Rivers Trust (representing Blueprint for Water)
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Stuart Colville, Director of Policy, Water UK
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Matt Wheeldon, Director of Assets and Compliance, Wessex Water
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Steve Grebby, Policy Manager, Consumer Council for Water (CCW)
The taskforce also has 2 specialist task and finish groups that will report their findings to the main taskforce:
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Data Transparency Task and Finish Group – considering how to ensure that the public are well informed about the operation of storm overflows and how data is made available
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Legislation Task and Finish Group – considering legislative options to support the goals of the Storm Overflows Taskforce
The chairperson can invite observers and advisers to join specific meetings as needed. The taskforce will engage collaboratively with relevant stakeholders to consider their views.
Terms of reference
See the for the taskforce.