, Climate Change, Environment, and Infrastructure Committee
Water quality - Evidence session with Ofwat
Okay. Go on then, Jenny. I'll come back in after.
, Climate Change, Environment, and Infrastructure Committee
Water quality - Evidence session with Ofwat
Okay. So, there's no explicit criticism of that; you're just noting the fact that there is something there that you, as a regulator, need to be mindful of.
, Climate Change, Environment, and Infrastructure Committee
Water quality - Evidence session with Ofwat
So, what are those gaps, for example?
, Climate Change, Environment, and Infrastructure Committee
Water quality - Evidence session with Ofwat
Well, let's hear you try again, then.
, Climate Change, Environment, and Infrastructure Committee
Water quality - Evidence session with Ofwat
Joyce wants to come in on this as well.
, Climate Change, Environment, and Infrastructure Committee
Water quality - Evidence session with Ofwat
Diolch yn fawr. I'll bring Janet in now.
, Climate Change, Environment, and Infrastructure Committee
Water quality - Evidence session with Ofwat
And we'll be digging into some of those specifics in a minute. But, just again, as a general observation, obviously you have accountability to the UK Government and the Welsh Government in different ways. There's always a risk with dancing to different tunes…
, Climate Change, Environment, and Infrastructure Committee
Water quality - Evidence session with Ofwat
So how would you characterise that process specifically in relation to Dŵr Cymru, maybe relative to your experience with other water companies?
, Climate Change, Environment, and Infrastructure Committee
Water quality - Evidence session with Ofwat
I'll just kick off with a general question, I suppose, about the price review process and the process's role, if you like, in driving investment in environmental improvement. Because, clearly, there are balances to be struck all over the place, and I suppose…
, Climate Change, Environment, and Infrastructure Committee
Water quality - Evidence session with Ofwat
Welcome back to the Climate Change, Environment and Infrastructure Committee. We're coming to the fourth item on our agenda and a further evidence session on water quality. Joining us for this particular session are Ofwat, so welcome to David Black, chief…
, Climate Change, Environment, and Infrastructure Committee
Water quality - Evidence session with Natural Resources Wales
Okay. Sincerely, thank you for appearing before us this morning. We really appreciate the evidence you've given us, and, again, it will all go into the melting pot with the other evidence that we've received. So, with that, can I thank you for your attendance…
, Climate Change, Environment, and Infrastructure Committee
Water quality - Evidence session with Natural Resources Wales
Now, that suggests to me that either the tools are deficient or you're not using them effectively enough.
, Climate Change, Environment, and Infrastructure Committee
Water quality - Evidence session with Natural Resources Wales
We are out of time, but I am going to take the liberty of asking one final question, because I've been reflecting on this balance between the carrot and the stick, and you've been telling us that you're confident that you have the tools in your box to be able…
, Climate Change, Environment, and Infrastructure Committee
Water quality - Evidence session with Natural Resources Wales
Okay. We'd appreciate a note on that, then.
, Climate Change, Environment, and Infrastructure Committee
Water quality - Evidence session with Natural Resources Wales
Yes, there was specific reference to Clwyd and Tremeirchion, that they'd been waiting three years for permitting, so, you know—
, Climate Change, Environment, and Infrastructure Committee
Water quality - Evidence session with Natural Resources Wales
Okay. Thank you. Where am I going next? Bear with me. Joyce. Jenny. Jenny, apologies.
, Climate Change, Environment, and Infrastructure Committee
Water quality - Evidence session with Natural Resources Wales
Thank you. Huw.
, Climate Change, Environment, and Infrastructure Committee
Water quality - Evidence session with Natural Resources Wales
Thank you. Okay. We'll have to move on to Jenny.
, Climate Change, Environment, and Infrastructure Committee
Water quality - Evidence session with Natural Resources Wales
Okay. Sorry, Janet. I think what we're saying is, basically, there's a carrot-and-stick approach, but you never use the stick.
, Climate Change, Environment, and Infrastructure Committee
Water quality - Evidence session with Natural Resources Wales
No. You're right, and it's absolutely fair that you make that point. Janet, did you want to have a final word? And then we'll come to Jenny.
, Climate Change, Environment, and Infrastructure Committee
Water quality - Evidence session with Natural Resources Wales
So, it's 'no'.
, Climate Change, Environment, and Infrastructure Committee
Water quality - Evidence session with Natural Resources Wales
Okay. Delyth wants to come in on this point particularly, and then I'll come to Janet. But we are halfway through our time slot already. Delyth.
, Climate Change, Environment, and Infrastructure Committee
Water quality - Evidence session with Natural Resources Wales
So, when we're told on television that that money’s better spent on infrastructure than on utilising a fine, you're suggesting a different approach there.
, Climate Change, Environment, and Infrastructure Committee
Water quality - Evidence session with Natural Resources Wales
Of course, of course.
, Climate Change, Environment, and Infrastructure Committee
Water quality - Evidence session with Natural Resources Wales
Okay. I'll give you the chance to clarify.
