14 Aug 2018

Water sector regulators call on water companies to do more on resilience Defra, the Environment Agency, the Drinking Water Inspectorate and Ofwat have sent a joint letter to the water companies calling on them to do more work on building resilience in water resources management in England. The regulators say that “ambitious and co-ordinated leadership” across […]

08 Aug 2018

IMECH Policy: This summer has presented the UK with the hottest and driest summer since 1976, a year well remembered for melting tarmac and long, hot summer’s days. The UK experienced average temperatures in June of 19.9ºC, the same as in 1976. When this is combined with June being one of the top five driest […]

08 Aug 2018

Three articles Ofwat fines Thames over leakage, United Utilities cancel their hosepipe ban and Yorkshire focus on leakage detection to meet future demand. The heatwave and drought has drawn the spotlight of publicity and attention on the water companies.   Ofwat confirms £120m package of payments and penalties for Thames Water following leakage failures Following consultation, […]

01 Aug 2018

Environment Secretary calls in Water Bosses to explain leakage failures NB: Some of these links will be behind pay walls Defra: ‘Today’s Times reported on the news that The Environment Secretary has called in the Chief Executives of nine water companies to explain their poor performance on leakage. Environment Secretary Michael Gove said: Customers expect a reliable […]

26 Jul 2018

The Environmental Audit Committee report on the effect of heatwaves has just been released Environment Agency steps up response to mounting impacts of dry weather & drought risk The Environment Agency is stepping up its response to tackle the mounting impacts of continued dry weather and coordinate action to maintain water supplies and manage the other […]

26 Jul 2018

Measures to deliver deep cuts in household water demand require greater leadership and collaboration   Water Briefing: ‘Rob Lawson, Water Resources Director at Artesia Consulting explores the issues around Ofwat’s recent report on the long-term potential for deep reductions in household demand in the context of current AMP7 business planning. Rob Lawson: Ofwat published their report on the long-term potential […]

26 Jul 2018

Defra ‘United Utilities shareholders set to receive £181m  The Mail on Sunday has reported on water company United Utilities’ plans to pay out £181 million dividends to its shareholders days before a hosepipe ban takes effect across North West England. Coverage focusses on the reported failure of water companies to invest in infrastructure with the equivalent […]

18 Jul 2018

The problem with droughts, unlike floods, is that they are slow train issues … by the time you realise you have a problem it’s too late.   The ongoing hot weather and prolonged period of low or no rain has led to United Utilities being the first of the big companies to introduce a hose pip […]