Welsh Water have chosen to undertake a Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) as part of the Water Resource Management Plan (WRMP) process, to ensure that environmental issues are considered while updating the Draft Water Resource Management Plan (Draft WRMP).
The choice of options have been influenced by the SEA process that was undertaken alongside the production of the WRMP.
The SEA Process
The overall objective of SEA is to “provide for a high level of protection of the environment and to contribute to the integration of environmental considerations into the preparation of plans and programmes with a view to promoting sustainable development” (SEA Directive)
The SEA for the Draft WRMP has been undertaken in a number of stages as shown below:
Stage A – Setting the context and objectives, establishing the baseline and deciding on the scope;
Stage B – Developing and refining alternatives and assessing effects;
Stage C – Preparing the Environmental Report;
Stage D – Consulting on the draft plan or programme and the Environmental Report;
and
Stage E – Monitoring the significant effects of implementing the plan or programme on the environment
The Environmental Report is the key output of the SEA Process. It details the SEA process for the Draft WRMP and presents information on the effects of the Plan. The report has been prepared according to European and UK Guidance. The documents can be downloaded from the links below.
