The Welsh Government will protect our rivers, but we will do that by taking control of water in Wales so that we can strengthen regulatory oversight, improve accountability of water companies and drive better environmental performance across our rivers, lakes and seas. As I said, there's no disagreement about the scale of the challenge that we face; water quality in Wales is not where we want it to be. While progress has been made, only around, as we heard, 40 per cent of water bodies in Wales currently meet good ecological status. That underlines how far we have come, but certainly how much further we need to go.
Public concern is high and people rightly expect urgent and visible action. I agree with the public strength of feeling. We want clean water, we want a healthy environment and we want a system that delivers for communities, not one that tolerates failure. That is why the Welsh Government is taking forward a comprehensive programme of water reform, which is focused on three things: taking control of our water, strengthening regulatory oversight and company accountability, and improving environmental performance.
At the heart of our approach is a simple principle, and that is that decisions affecting Wales should be made in Wales. The First Minister has already made that case to the Prime Minister, because this is about ensuring that Wales has the capability to act decisively in the interests of our people and our environment. A central part of this reform is ensuring that regulation reflects the reality of devolution and isn't stuck in the past. The current system, of course, is based on an outdated 'wholly or mainly' model, which no longer aligns with the way Wales is governed.
We're working with the UK Government to align water regulation with Wales's geographic border, and good progress has been made. I hope to confirm more about that shortly. This is about clear accountability, it's about coherent regulation, and, of course, for all of us here, it's about stronger democratic oversight for customers as well, on both sides of the border. This Government will reset how Wales manages water. We will create a clearer, more coherent system for Wales that supports long-term strategic decision making, that directs investment to Welsh priorities, and strengthens regulatory oversight in Wales. This isn't just about structural change; we want to see better outcomes for Wales.
Under a Welsh-focused regulatory framework, companies will be subject to clearer expectations, stronger performance oversight and more direct consequences when they fail to meet standards. This includes the ability to set price controls for Wales, it includes delivering value for money for Welsh customers, and direct investment to priorities determined here in Wales. We will honour our manifesto commitment that water company bosses should not receive bonuses where companies fail to meet the standards the public rightly expect.
Let me be clear: where companies fall short, they must face consequences, and customers must not bear the cost of putting things right. But in improving water quality, we have to be honest about the nature of the problem. Sewage discharges are a major concern, but they are not the only issue. We know, as many have acknowledged in the debate, that agriculture and rural land use is part of the problem, so it needs to be part of the answer. But the point I'm making is that there is no single cause of it, so there is no single solution here, and that's where our approach will need to be a whole-system approach.
We're working with water companies to reduce sewage spills and improve infrastructure, but we're also working in partnership with Natural Resources Wales, farmers in Wales and the agricultural sector to deliver those sustainable solutions that reduce pollution at source whilst also supporting a resilient rural economy. This includes moving towards a more science-led, outcomes-based and risk-proportionate approach, moving away from the blunt farming-by-calendar approach, which is clearly not working. We will replace rigid one-size-fits-all rules with a system that better targets high-risk activity—yes, that needs to be targeted—but also better supports good practice.
We're also strengthening catchment-based approaches through nutrient management boards and wider partnerships to bring together regulators, farmers, water companies and local authorities to deliver co-ordinated action on the ground, including, of course, through nature-based solutions. Because the reality is this: lasting improvements in water quality will only be achieved if everybody plays their part.
Dirprwy Lywydd, this is a longer term programme of reform, and it's essential that we deliver it in a way that maintains stability for customers, but also confidence for investors. The Welsh Government is working closely with the UK Government on the forthcoming clean water Bill, which is expected later this year, which will devolve powers to the Senedd to enable us to establish a new regulator. But we're also working with the UK Government to bring forward the necessary legislative consent motions in a timely way, making sure that decisions affecting Wales are subject to Senedd scrutiny here in this Chamber.
Now, alongside this, we're co-developing a transition plan with the UK Government to make sure that there are no gaps in regulation or any disruption to services as we move towards the new system in Wales, and that transition plan will provide stability through this period of change while sending clear signals to regulators and companies about all our expectations. So, once we have the powers, we can bring forward legislation within this Senedd term and that is exactly what I intend to do. And I look forward to all Members here playing their part in scrutinising that legislation, and making it the strongest legislation it can possibly be.
Subject to these processes, we expect a new regulatory system to be established in the early 2030s, aligned with future price review cycles, and designed to deliver long-term environmental and economic outcomes for Wales. But while reform progresses, we won't wait to act. We will continue to strengthen monitoring of pollution incidents, and I will seek assurances from Dŵr Cymru, from Hafren Dyfrdwy, from Natural Resources Wales, Ofwat and others that robust action is taken where failures occur.
Dirprwy Lywydd, this Government's position is clear: we will take full control of water in Wales, we will strengthen accountability and we will deliver a water system that protects our environment, that supports our communities and meets the expectations of the people of Wales now and for generations to come. I therefore ask Members to please support our amendment to this motion. Diolch.