28 Jun 2022
The Guardian has reported that guidance that would have allowed farmers to spread manures and slurry on land in a way that would overload it with nutrients and risk pollution of rivers, lakes and coastal waters has been changed by Defra, after a challenge over its lawfulness. Manures, which include sewage sludge, abattoir waste and […]
28 Jun 2022
Long-term plans to remove surface water from the sewer network are being drawn up by utility chiefs, but they stressed it has to be affordable. Steve Wilson, Dwr Cymru/Welsh Water’s managing director of wastewater services, told a meeting of Swansea councillors and other public sector representatives that doing so was its biggest challenge in the […]
28 Jun 2022
The Telegraph has published an opinion piece on the importance of water quality to public health, written by: Chief Medical Officer, Professor Sir Chris Whitty; Chair of the Environment Agency, Emma Howard Boyd; and Ofwat Chair, Jonson Cox. Defra Media have subsequently published details of the article on their website: ‘The joint article highlights that while no […]
28 Jun 2022
Wastewater companies have set out how they are going to cut the harm they cause to rivers, following calls from the regulator and concerns from the public. Ofwat has posted a statement welcoming the immediate commitments to tackle these issues alongside areas for improvement. The Ofwat statement reads: ‘Ofwat is pleased to see some companies have committed […]
28 Jun 2022
One of the UK’s biggest dairy firms has been fined £1.5m for repeatedly polluting a river near its Cornwall factory and causing local residents to suffer years of noxious smells – but the problems are continuing, the Guardian reports. Dairy Crest was sentenced at Truro crown court for repeatedly breaching its environmental permit at Davidstow creamery in […]
28 Jun 2022
Hundreds of Belfast homes will be tested for lead contamination after an earlier study found elevated levels of the dangerous metal in drinking water. A small study by Queen’s University researchers found that 15% of the samples collected exceeded the standard UK limit for lead levels in water. The study also found at least some […]
23 Jun 2022
Six east Anglian communities have been chosen as part of a £6.4m flood prevention project. Reclaim the Rain is an initiative run by Norfolk and Suffolk county councils. The project is designed to manage risks from flooding and droughts by developing flood water reuse schemes for communities. The scheme will store flood water and make it available for agriculture, industry, communities […]
23 Jun 2022
The BBC has reported that a water company plans to create 26 new wetlands across the East of England to help improve river water quality. Anglian Water, which admitted dumping sewage in the River Stour 389 times last year, said the scheme would help protect rivers and chalk stream habitats. The project follows a pilot set up […]
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