Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:

To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the efficacy of community consultation in the development of water management solutions; and what steps they are taking to ensure best practice is pursued in the ongoing reforms to the water regulation sector.

Defra recognises the value of consulting the public on water management solutions. Defra officials consult reflecting these principles and set out monitoring and evaluation plans in the published policy Impact Assessments. The department is reviewing the recent consultation on Water Efficiency Standards in Building Regulations ahead of Autumn.

Defra also recognises the importance of engaging local communities through collaborative delivery and pilots. For example, in Greater Cambridge, the Government is working with local partners and farmers to trial innovative approaches to water management, including water efficiency measures, water reuse and nature-based solutions. This will help build evidence on what works to inform ongoing policy and wider water reforms.