The UK Water Partnership brings together public and private sector organisations to enable and catalyse research application, innovation and economic growth in the UK water sector.

Benyon to Chair UK Water Partnership Richard Benyon MP has taken up the role of Chairman of the UK Water Partnership. The appointment marks another milestone for the organisation as it seeks to develop new opportunities for the UK water sector in a £500bn global market.

UK Water Partnership new website launched! The UK Water Partnership has launched its new website with simplified menus, making it easier to use the site. There are ongoing improvements to both the functionality and appearance of the website. We welcome all your comments and feedback. You can send them using the web contact form or email them directly to info@theukwaterpartnership.org

Updates from the Partnership – a host of initiatives including:

• Progress with droughts and flooding, and water and cities task forces.  The former, led by Dr Jim Wharfe, is starting on Phase 2, focussing on tracking and influencing RCUK investments on droughts and floods to ensure a holistic approach and meeting of user needs, in addition to work picked up by the Commercialisation group below.  The water and cities task force continues to work with, and influences, Foresight, Innovate UK and RCUK cities initiatives, and has held its own meeting on 19 October to identify next steps.
• Water and agriculture: it was agreed to hold an event in March bringing together a range of stakeholders to identify barriers and implementation needs to make our agricultural industry and supply chains more water resilient. This builds on the reports produced earlier in the year.
• Skills: Professor Paul Jeffrey of Cranfield University agreed to lead a report matching the skills needs with future requirements in the water sector.
• Facilities register: a pilot of this activity was discussed and agreed to develop further, with the aim of highlighting the availability of public and private sector research and testing facilities for other users, increasing collaborations, and understanding and disseminating what is around to ensure efficient capital spend.  Hydro Nation Scotland will partner this activity in future.