Public Health Water Taskforce
The Public Health Water Taskforce provides independent advice to the government on the public health risks associated with drinking and recreational water.
Role of the group
The Public Health Water Taskforce is a scientific and technical advisory group that advises the government on:
- the public health risks associated with drinking and recreational water
- options to reduce those risks
The taskforce brings together senior public health and water experts from across government and the wider sector.
Terms of reference
Membership
Current members are:
- Professor Chris Whitty (chair): Chief Medical Officer for England, Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC)
- Professor Anjali Goswami: Chief Scientific Adviser, Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra)
- Dr Daniel Read: Associate Science Director for the Environmental Pressures and Responses science area, UK Centre for Ecology and Hydrology
- Dan Walker-Nolan: Director of Policy, Water UK
- David Butler: Emeritus Professor of the Royal Academy of Engineering
- Dr Nick Watkins: Deputy Chief Scientific Adviser, Science Research and Evidence, DHSC
- Professor Isabel Oliver: Chief Medical Officer for Wales
- Marcus Rink: Chief Inspector, Drinking Water Inspectorate
- Mike Rose: CEO, UK Water Industry Research
- Paul Hickey: Senior Director of the RAPID programme and Environmental Planning, Ofwat
- Dr Robert Bradburne: Chief Scientific Adviser, Environment Agency
- Professor Robin May: Chief Scientific Officer, UK Health Security Agency
- Dr Thomas Waite: Deputy Chief Medical Officer for England, DHSC
- Dr Tim Elwell-Sutton: Deputy Regional Director of Public Health for South-East Region, DHSC
The taskforce is also attended by the following observers:
- David Hill: Director General of Strategy and Water and taskforce sponsor, Defra
- Kathryn Baker: Chief Environmental Officer, Northern Ireland Government
- Dr Maria K Rossi: Head of Health Protection (Environment and Emergency Response), Clinical and Protecting Health, Public Health Scotland
Minutes
Minutes of meeting held on 27 February 2026