River Wye (Cleaning) Bill

The River Wye (Cleaning) Bill is legislation aimed at addressing water pollution and environmental degradation in the River Wye, which forms part of the EnglandWales border. The bill establishes legal duties on water companies and agricultural operators to reduce sewage discharge and nutrient runoff (particularly nitrogen and phosphorus) that have damaged the river's ecosystem. It sets out enforcement mechanisms, monitoring requirements, and timelines for achieving improved water quality standards. The measure responds to years of environmental decline, including algal blooms and fish dieoffs, caused primarily by sewage overflow and intensive farming practices in the catchment area.