{{Infobox company | type = Government body | industry = Water supply | founded = 1973 | defunct = 1983 | fate = Dissolved | successor = Water Authorities Association; Water Industry Training Association; British Water International | hq_location_city = London | key_people = Lord Nugent of Guildford (chair 1973–78), Sir Robert Marshall (chair 1978–83) | services = Advice on water supply policy | num_employees = 400 }}
The '''National Water Council''' ('''NWC''') was a statutory body of the UK Government responsible for overseeing matters of common interest within the water industry and serving as a link between the government and the Water Authorities. It was founded in 1973 and ceased its operations in 1983.
== Establishment == The NWC was established in accordance with the provisions of the Water Act 1973. The Conservative Government, at the time, did not wish to have a national body with executive functions between ministers and the Water Authorities established by the Act.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Warman |first=Christopher |date=16 August 1974 |title=New bodies for giant task ahead |pages=26 |work=The Times}}</ref> Instead, the NWC was tasked with representing industry and to be the main source of advice to the Government matters pertaining to water policy.<ref name=":0">{{Cite book |last=Ofwat Defra |url=https://www.ofwat.gov.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/rpt_com_devwatindust270106.pdf |title=The Development of the water industry in England and Wales |publisher=Defra |year=2006 |pages=19, 26, 28}}</ref>
== Functions == The NWC was an advisory body to the Government and the newly established Water Authorities, offering guidance on matters related to national policies on water.<ref name=":1">{{Cite web |last=The National Archive |title=National Water Council and Water Space Amenity Commission |url=https://discovery.nationalarchives.gov.uk/details/r/C3035 |access-date=30 August 2023}}</ref> It promoted the efficient performance of the Authorities and devised schemes for the testing and approval of water fittings. Additionally, the NWC played a pivotal role in overseeing education within the water industry.<ref name=":1" /> Furthermore, it managed the water industry pension scheme and was responsible for negotiating pay and conditions of employment.<ref name=":1" />
== Constitution == The NWC comprised a chairman, appointed by the Government, the chairmen of the Water Authorities, and up to ten members nominated by the Government, including the chairman of the '''Water Space Amenity Commission'''.<ref name=":2">{{Cite news |last=Aldous |first=Tony |date=3 August 1973 |title=A bridge over troubled waters |pages=3 |work=The Times}}</ref> The first chairman of the NWC was Lord Nugent of Guildford (chair 1973–78), followed by Sir Robert Marshall (chair 1978–83).<ref>{{Cite news |date=12 April 1978 |title=Latest Appointments |pages=19 |work=The Times}}</ref> When first established the NWC had a staff of about 250,<ref name=":2" /> this had increased to about 400 when it was abolished.<ref name=":3">{{Cite news |last=Clayton |first=Hugh |date=8 July 1982 |title=Water council is abolished and boards trimmed |pages=2 |work=The Times}}</ref>
== Achievements == During the drought in 1976 the NWC published adverts in the press identifying the measures that should be taken to reduce usage of water.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Young |first=John |date=26 August 1976 |title=National Water Council puts drought facts to the public |pages=1 |work=The Times}}</ref>
In 1977, the NWC published a classification scheme for river water quality.<ref name=":0" /> This ranged from 1A High Quality to 4 Bad quality.
== Abolition == By 1983 the Government indicated that the main work of the NWC had been achieved and that the Government had now a more direct relationship with the Water Authorities.<ref name=":3" /> Others observed that the NWC had done little to promote the views of the industry to Government.<ref name=":0" /> The NWC was abolished by the Water Act 1983. Its duties devolved to three non-statutory bodies: the '''Water Authorities Association'''; the '''Water Industry Training Association'''; and '''British Water International'''.<ref name=":1" />
== Water Space Amenity Commission == The Water Space Amenity Commission was an independent arm of the NWC.<ref name=":2" /> It was established in 1973 with a duty to advise on recreational policy for water space in England. It acted as a bridge between the water industry and recreational interests. It approved and promoted schemes for recreational use.<ref name=":2" /> The chairman was John Humphries and there was about 25 staff.<ref name=":2" /> The commission was abolished by the Water Act 1983.
== References == {{reflist}}
Category:Water in the United Kingdom Category:Water supply and sanitation in England and Wales