Rivers are back where they belong at the centre of national conversation…and why it matters

The Water White Paper signals a shift from managing water assets to restoring river systems. It reframes water quality as a measurable outcome, elevates wetlands as critical infrastructure, and commits to catchment-scale nutrient management, recognising that systemic pressures require integrated solutions across river basins. This builds on existing ecological frameworks, particularly the Water Framework Directive, but places greater emphasis on linking investment and regulation directly to environmental outcomes.

At FiveRivers, we have over 25-years experience working with nature, and much of this has been spent working within the water industry, supporting their WINEP commitments through the delivery of aquatic monitoring surveys, design and construction of river restoration and wetland creation. Within this time, we’ve extended our appreciation for a catchment-scale delivery model.

A few things stand out to us:

• Water quality is framed as an outcome, not an aspiration.
• Wetlands are repositioned as critical infrastructure.
• Nutrient management is finally addressed at catchment scale.

We must ensure that aspirations are matched by delivery. We support outcome-based funding, catchment-scale planning, strong accountability and investment models that directly link action to measurable improvements in river health, nutrient reduction and wetland function. The White Paper opens the door to a more integrated approach but delivery will be the real test.

FiveRivers’ alignment with the direction of the water sector continues to grow as we bridge policy and science, offering leading water sector expertise and positioning us as a partner that can translate ambition into practical, investable interventions.

So, what does “good” actually look like for our rivers by 2030 and what are we willing to change to get there?

1. Reduction in pollution events leading to improved water quality

A reduction in storm over pollution events, a reduction in agriculture runoff, and a reduction in the nutrient burden will lead to improved water quality, when our rivers are healthy, our wildlife is healthy.

2. Catchment-scale collaboration

Integrated delivery models and clear accountability across sectors, where water companies, land managers, regulators and communities work together across whole catchments, aligning infrastructure, land use and nature-based solutions around shared outcomes.

3. Measurable ecological impact

Demonstrable improvements in river health, including WFD status uplift, reduced nutrient loads, functioning wetlands and restored habitats with success measured by ecological change, not just activity delivery.

4. Public Trust

To create credibility and trust, monitoring data must be freely shared and transparent and when things do go wrong there is clear responsibility and accountability, leading to fewer crises, fewer surprises and fewer excuses.

5. Policy and investment alignment

Funding and regulatory frameworks that reward outcomes, support long-term catchment programmes, and link investment directly to environmental performance and system resilience.

The challenge is clear. The opportunity is real. Now is the time to deliver ecosystems that are not just protected, but thriving.