UK Youth for Nature responds to the announcement of the Clean Water Bill

Today’s announcement of a new Clean Water Bill in the King’s Speech is a major moment for freshwater protection in England and a rare opportunity to reshape how we value and restore our rivers, streams, ponds and wetlands for future generations.

For too long, public debate around water has focused narrowly on sewage alone, while freshwater ecosystems continue to decline under pressure from pollution, pesticide use, agricultural runoff, habitat destruction and climate breakdown.

Young people are inheriting rivers in crisis.

At UK Youth for Nature, we believe this Bill must go beyond cleaning up pollution, and instead, create the conditions for living rivers to recover and thrive. That means recognising freshwater ecosystems as habitats, climate resilience systems, public spaces and sources of life.

The Government now has a once-in-a-generation opportunity to deliver legislation that:

• restores freshwater biodiversity

• tackles pollution at source

• protects smaller waterways and headwaters

• supports nature-friendly farming systems

• strengthens transparency and accountability

• embeds public and youth participation in freshwater governance

As part of our Not So Freshwater campaign, young people across England will be documenting the condition of Britain’s forgotten waters through farm visits, freshwater habitat audits, citizen science and storytelling projects exploring the relationship between farming systems and freshwater health.

We want to see a future where young people are not simply consulted on environmental collapse, but actively involved in shaping and documenting freshwater recovery.

The Clean Water Bill must be ambitious enough to meet the scale of the crisis, not solely for water quality, but for the future of freshwater wildlife, communities and ecological resilience across England.

Bethany Lee, UK Youth for Nature volunteer, says:

“Our freshwater systems are essential for life; our rivers are the veins of the land. When healthy, they can provide so many benefits for people and wildlife. I don’t think I have ever seen my local rivers in a truly healthy state – but that shouldn’t be the default. The Government has a chance to make real change with the Clean Water Bill, to work with farmers, landowners, and communities, to actively protect and restore our amazing freshwater environments. We want to see ambition and genuine hope for the future, for our local rivers and lakes to thrive, so we can all enjoy their benefits.”