01 Nov 2023
01 Nov 2023
Biodiversity improving in English rivers
From Make Water Famous A study in England has found that freshwater macro-invertebrate richness has increased over the past 30 years, indicating a positive trend in biodiversity. Aquatic macro-invertebrates are insects in their nymph and larval stages, that spend at least part of their lives in water. They play a large role in freshwater ecosystems […]
25 Oct 2023
Scientists call on ministers to cut limits for ‘forever chemicals’ in UK tap water
The Royal Society of Chemistry (RSC) is calling on the UK Government to overhaul its drinking water standards after a new analysis reveals more than a third of water courses tested in England and Wales contain medium or high-risk levels of PFAS. This group, more commonly known as forever chemicals, is linked to a range […]
25 Oct 2023
Nature Markets Principles published
The Wildlife Trusts, RSPB, Woodland Trust and National Trust have published a set of principles for ensuring ‘nature markets’ truly deliver for nature, climate and people. With an estimated £6 billion annual funding gap for UK nature recovery across land and sea, the UK Government has set an ambitious target to grow annual private investment […]
25 Oct 2023
Ofwat publishes key facts from water company business plans
Ofwat has published key facts from water companies’ business plans 2025-2030, with information on proposed increases in investment and customer bills. The regulator is currently scrutinising these plans, including looking at water companies’ ambition for customers and the environment and the affordability of plans for customers. The proposals could see bills increase significantly by 2030, […]
25 Oct 2023
Droughts and other extreme weather events influencing adaptation policies
Climate risk assessments that take account of threats like heatwaves, droughts, floods and wildfires are increasingly being used to inform and improve national adaptation policies according to the latest European Environment Agency (EEA) assessment of national adaptation actions published this week. The EEA briefing ‘Is Europe on track towards climate resilience? Status of reported national adaptation actions […]
25 Oct 2023
Leaky wooden dams installed to prevent flooding in Shropshire
The BBC reports how hundreds of deliberately leaky dams made of wood have been installed along a stretch of river as an innovative measure to prevent flooding. Researchers from the University of Worcester said the dams could have a dramatic impact on flooding in places including Bewdley and Ludlow. During Storm Dennis, the dams along […]
25 Oct 2023
The effect of temporary use bans on demand
UKWIR (UK Water Industry Research) has published a new report: Review of 2022 Drought Demand Management Measures. This study sought to quantify the change in water use due to the implementation of drought measures during 2022 including the communication campaigns delivered by all companies and the Temporary Use Bans introduced by six water companies in […]
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