Safeguarding Scotland's Water Environment Report
Renfrewshire Council · 18 March 2026
Back to Infrastructure, Land and Environment Policy Board — 18 March 2026 and its agenda
Text extracted from the council's PDF. Layout and reading order may differ from the original.
Page 1
PUBLIC ___________________________________________________________________ To: Infrastructure, Land and Environment Policy Board On: 18 March 2026 ___________________________________________________________________ Report by: Director of Environment, Housing and Infrastructure ___________________________________________________________________ Heading: Safeguarding Scotland’s Water Environment- SEPA Consultation ___________________________________________________________________ 1. Summary 1.1 Scotland’s water environment faces intensifying pressures from climate change, pollution, habitat modification and emerging chemical risks, with consequences for biodiversity, public wellbeing and long‑term resilience. The River Basin Management Plan (RBMP) framework coordinates national evidence and targeted measures to protect and improve water quality, habitats and sustainable water use. 1.2 There have to date been three iterations of the RBMP and SEPA have recently consulted on the first stage in the review and update of their RBMP consultation here, with the intention of publishing a draft RBMP4 in December 2026, for further consultation. The recently closed consultation has detailed the significant water management issues identified by SEPA which present the greatest risk to the maintenance of a functioning and resilient water environment. 1.3 An Officer response to the recently closed consultation is detailed within Appendix 1 to this report.
Page 2
PUBLIC ___________________________________________________________________ 2. Recommendations It is recommended that the Infrastructure, Land and Environment Policy Board: 2.1 Notes the consultation and homologates the submitted response, as detailed within Appendix A. 2.2 Notes that a future consultation on RBMP4 will be brought forward later in 2026 and that a future report will be brought to Board on this, along with a draft response, for approval. _________________________________________________________ 3. Background 3.1 Scotland’s water environment is one of its most precious natural assets and supports a rich diversity of wildlife; contributes to people’s health and well- being; and provides for the sustainable growth of Scotland’s economy. Protecting and improving this natural asset is fundamental to Scotland’s efforts to build resilience to climate change and to ensure that the needs of wildlife, people and the economy can be met and safeguarded into the future. 3.2 The water environment exists within a complex landscape of urban development, agriculture, forestry, industry, and other natural habitats. This complexity of uses, each with their own demands on the water environment, requires to be considered as a whole within a catchment-wide approach to mitigate adverse effects and protect our water. 3.3 River basin management planning (RBMP) is Scotland’s framework for protecting and improving the water environment and the benefits it provides. The RBMP sets out data on the state of the water environment in Scotland and information on the main pressures causing impacts. 3.4 SEPA have published three previous Plans, with RBMP3 outlining plans of action to December 2027, many of which have been delivered; including reducing rural diffuse pollution, removing and easing barriers to fish migration, restoring urban rivers, mitigating impacts from hydropower generation and other water use and investing in improved treatment for public wastewater. Alongside this, SEPA’s understanding of the condition of the water environment and the pressures it faces has also continued to improve.
Page 3
PUBLIC 3.5 SEPA have, within the consultation document, identified a number of significant water management issues which will form part of the next River Basin Management Plan, RBMP4, with actions to mitigate their effects on the natural water environment. The main issues which are identified within the consultation include: • Rural diffuse pollution- arises from the farming industry • Physical condition of rivers • Artificial barriers to fish migration • Sea lice from marine fish farms • Water usage • Wastewater and sewer networks • Chemicals in the water environment 3.6 The water environment is considered a good barometer for the sustainability of land use in Scotland and progress towards achieving a circular economy which reuses materials and minimises waste. The identified significant water management issues will require public bodies, businesses and stakeholders to find new ways of working together to tackle these issues and put in place the actions needed that will safeguard the water environment now and into the future. 3.7 SEPA are proposing to utilise the themes of climate adaptation, nature, and health and wellbeing to present and organise information in the RBMP to support coordination of action across sectors and within catchments. In doing so, people from a range of sectors and policy areas will be able to access and use the information relevant to them to inform decisions and take action. Examples of ‘treemaps’ are provided within the consultation which shows pressures on the water environment, taking data from RBMP3 and mapped to these themes. 3.8 This current consultation is the first stage in developing RBMP4 and it is noted that when the draft Plan is published, currently proposed for December 2026, there will be a further consultation opened for stakeholders to comment upon the Plan. 3.9 A future report will be brought to this Board on the draft RBMP4, along with proposed responses to the consultation, for approval.
Page 4
PUBLIC ___________________________________________________________________ Implications of the Report 1. Financial - None 2. HR & Organisational Development - None 3. Community/Council Planning – • Creating a sustainable Renfrewshire for all to enjoy – supporting the broad aims which SEPA are proposing within their strategic River Basin Management Plan will work toward securing Scotland’s water environment and in turn, the economy, health and wellbeing of our residents and businesses, improving its resilience and sustainability. 4. Legal - None 5. Property/Assets – None 6. Information Technology – None 7. Equality & Human Rights (a) The Recommendations contained within this report have been assessed in relation to their impact on equalities and human rights. No negative impacts on equality groups or potential for infringement of individuals’ human rights have been identified arising from the recommendations contained in the report. If required following implementation, the actual impact of the recommendations and the mitigating actions will be reviewed and monitored, and the results of the assessment will be published on the Council’s website. 8. Health & Safety - None 9. Procurement – None 10. Risk - None 11. Privacy Impact - None 12. Climate Risk – failure to protect Scotland’s natural water environment will increase the negative climate impacts already being experienced and supporting SEPA’s River Basin Management Planning will, with partner agencies and stakeholders, work toward mitigating risk and ensuring that Scotland, and Renfrewshire are adapting to the climate changes. 13. Children’s Rights – None. 14. Cosla Policy Position – None. _______________________________________________________ List of Background Papers- None ___________________________________________________________________ Author: Colin Hunter, Environmental Health & Community Safety Manager Colin.hunter@renfrewshire.gov.uk
Page 5
PUBLIC PUBLIC Respondent Information Form Your response Please complete this form if you are not responding to our consultation on Safeguarding Scotland’s Water Environment via our online consultation hub. Once complete, please submit this form to consultation@sepa.org.uk Handling your response By submitting your response to this consultation, you give SEPA permission to analyse and include your response in our results. We would like to know if you are happy for your response to be made public. If you ask for your response not to be published, it will be regarded as confidential and treated in accordance with SEPA’s published Privacy Policy. Why your views matter As Scotland’s principal environmental regulator, our purpose is to protect, improve Scotland’s environment in ways that as far as possible also create health and well-being benefits, and sustainable economic growth. Our Corporate Plan sets our strategic direction and our Annual Operating Plan implements our priorities. In delivering these priorities we engage with those who have an interest in and are impacted by our regulations and duties. One way we engage is through consultations.
Page 6
Respondent Information Form 1 PUBLIC PUBLIC The feedback we receive through our consultations helps us understand what matters most to our communities and businesses, and shapes how we fulfil our duties. After the consultation closes, we’ll take time to consider responses before sharing an update with you through the “we asked, you said, we did” section of our consultation website. Significant Water Management Issues 1. To what extent do you agree that we have identified the most significant water management issues affecting Scotland’s water environment? ☐Strongly agree ☒Agree ☐Neither agree nor disagree ☐Disagree ☐Strongly disagree ☐Don’t know Tell us what else is important that should be included? In addition to the most significant water management issues identified within the consultation document, Renfrewshire Council recommends that within the Section, Physical Condition of Rivers, removal of invasive non-native species should be included as they cause riverbank erosion, loss of native species and can increase riverside flooding. It is appreciated that the Consultation refers to a high level, framework approach designed to deliver RBMP scale of improvements. Within new/recent SEPA guidance, WAT-G-071, there are groundwater ‘status standards’ to ‘prevent the deterioration in status’ and to ‘return groundwater bodies to good status’. It is possible therefore that significantly
Page 7
Respondent Information Form 2 PUBLIC PUBLIC contaminated land sites, may present potential risks to the water environment, on a RBMP scale, from any contaminants when these groundwater Objectives are not met. It is assumed such issues will be considered within the Chemicals in the Water Environment section in due course, as RBMP4 is developed and issued in its draft form. Significant Water Management Issues Scotland’s climate is changing, and we all need to adapt to the increasing risks of flooding, drought and rising temperatures. The water environment is also under continued and evolving threats from pollution, loss of habitat and invasive species. Addressing these issues and building resilience depends on strong collaboration between the public sector, industry, land managers, community groups, and individuals. 2. To what extent do you agree that each of the following should be a main outcome for RBMP4? Strongly agree Agree Neither agree nor disagree Disagree Strongly disagree Not sure Climate Adaptation ☒ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐ Nature ☒ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐ Public Health ☒ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐ . If you selected “Disagree” or “Strongly disagree”, please tell us more about the reasons for your response.
Page 8
Respondent Information Form 3 PUBLIC PUBLIC River Basin Management Planning in Your Work, Activities or Community We recognise the importance of partnership working and ensuring our stakeholders, operators, the public and communities are actively involved and engaged in what we do. We want to open a conversation with you around RBMP 4, restoring nature and climate resilience to deepen our understanding of your experiences of river basin planning data and evidence. 3. In what ways is river basin management planning currently considered or applied in your work, activities, or community? Restoring Renfrewshire’s Rivers project which focuses on the removal and control of invasive non-native plant species on 5 watercourses within the council area. This project works with volunteers and the wider community to help restore native habitat along these watercourses. River management and development regarding flooding and the requirement for climate adaptation measures. The council’s Team Up to Clean Up volunteer initiative occasionally do river clean-ups of rivers such as the White Cart- this is a volunteer session to clear litter from the riverbank and river itself. There have also been sessions by the Clyde in Erskine. Peatland restoration work is being carried out in the Clyde Muirshiel Regional Park. This is slowing the flow of water into the catchment of the River Calder by blocking the drains
Page 9
Respondent Information Form 4 PUBLIC PUBLIC to prevent/slow down the water going into the main river. This helps with mitigating flooding downriver and improves water quality. As mentioned in response to Q1, Consideration of land contamination is undertaken within the Environmental health service by Contaminated Land Officers and they work to SEPA guidance when reviewing site investigation/RMS submitted documents under the planning regime to support site redevelopment. This, where appropriate, includes consideration for off-site pollution which could have the potential to impact river catchment areas. This would also be appropriate should there be any sites under consideration for designation as statutory contaminated land under Section 78 of the Environmental Protection Act 1990. Engaging and involving stakeholders and communities We want to understand how best we can engage with stakeholders and communities as we develop and deliver RBMP4 4. Please share with us examples of participation and engagement which have worked well and could be used for river basin management planning. Volunteer recruitment for the Rivers project. This includes training on how to remove species which can be removed manually as well as basic training on removal using tools such as pesticide training to tackle Japanese Knotweed etc. Public engagement for the project is underway using information sessions (online and in person) to provide information on how to get involved and what the project aims to do.
Page 10
Respondent Information Form 5 PUBLIC PUBLIC Team Up to Clean Up also utilises volunteer support to help maintain rivers by cleaning- up litter. Innovation Innovative technologies, tools, finance and approaches will be important for delivering a resilient water environment at the pace and scale required. We are interested in understanding what emerging ideas, methods or innovations could help strengthen RBMP4 and support more effective delivery. 5. Please share with us examples of where you have used innovative techniques to deliver improvements to the water environment. Blocking drains as part of the ongoing peatland restoration work is a cheap and innovative way of improving water quality, reducing flooding and creating landscape resilience. The Sustainability Team have been using drone footage to map invasive plant species on rivers, particularly for inaccessible areas. This could also be used for future river restoration work by identifying river features which could be altered (such as creating new channels) so to reduce downriver flooding and create new wildlife habitat. 6. Is there anything else you think is important for us to consider when developing RBMP4? More education work around river basin management would be beneficial by encouraging landowners and farmers to actively participate in management. This would also include
Page 11
Respondent Information Form 6 PUBLIC PUBLIC community education and engagement to encourage the wider community to either volunteer or prevent river littering. It’s important to consider partnership working across local authorities, on river catchment area scales, to improve the volume and quality of outcomes in rivers management. About You What is your name? (Optional) Colin Hunter What is your email address? (Optional) colin.hunter@renfrewshire.gov.uk (a) Are you responding to this consultation on behalf of yourself, or a business or organisation? Organisation (b) If you are responding on behalf of a business or organisation, please provide the name below: Renfrewshire Council
Page 12
Respondent Information Form 7 PUBLIC PUBLIC Are you happy for us to publish your response to this consultation? ☒ Yes ☐No If you would like this document in an accessible format, such as large print, audio recording or braille, please contact SEPA by emailing equalities@sepa.org.uk