UK and EU water policy as an instrument of urban pollution

There are three major water challenges that water policy aims to control: water scarcity, abundance of water, and pollution. This chapter address water policy at the UK level, complicated by different implementation in England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland, and across the EU. An example of the application of UK policy using sustainable drainage systems (SuDS) is then given to illustrate this complexity. As for the future, standards are likely to change as new pollutants are identified and established ones are refined. New and emerging pollutants (NEPs) include pharmaceuticals such as ibuprofen and hormones, and personal care products (PCPs) such as cosmetics and perfumes. The potential for pollution from PCPs and other NEPs requires further research to feed into the development of policies and guidelines to ensure their control to reduce any impacts.