09 Oct 2024

A coalition of nature groups (including Wildlife and Countryside Link, Rivers Trust, The Wildlife Trusts and Angling Trust) has released analysis of water company business plans for the next five years, recently given draft approval by Ofwat. The scorecard recognises much needed commitments and funding increases in many vital areas, but also shows gaps in water protections […]

09 Oct 2024

In response to the growing threat of climate change to Europe’s water systems, the European Union has published an updated guidance document, River Basin Management in a Changing Climate, which calls for a shift towards nature-based solutions (NbS) to improve resilience. The publication, which is part of the EU’s strategy to implement the Water Framework Directive (WFD) and the Floods […]

18 Sep 2024

NICE-R NetNature 2 is a free, open-source user-tailored tool to explore the potential of nature-based solutions (NBS) for treating different types of wastewater in cities, rural and peri-urban areas These systems can be implemented as natural technologies in different built-up spaces for the purpose of retaining, treating and, ultimately, reusing the treated water at a […]

21 Aug 2024

UKWIR has published a new report ‘The greenhouse gas emissions of nature-based solutions for wastewater treatment’. Abstract: Using a systematic global literature review, factors were collated that increased or decreased emissions from methane, nitrous oxide and carbon from various typologies of constructed wetland, enhanced septic tank-nature-based solutions (NBS) and stabilisation ponds.  Responses were gathered from water […]

22 May 2024

The government of Ireland has published A National Strategy for Nature Based Management of Urban Rainwater and Urban Surface Water Discharges – This strategy sets out a road map regarding the implementation of nature-based solutions in urban design. In order to do this, many different agencies and departments at national and local level must work […]

03 Apr 2024

The management of environmental water quality and the impact of agriculture and effluent discharges has been a subject of intense debate in recent times. The Worshipful Company of Water Conservators (WCWC) has responded by organising a programme focusing on the ‘wisdom of water’ in which there is a series of debates, webinars, and think pieces […]

26 Mar 2024

Energy & Utility Skills has launched its latest report Water Industry Workforce Resilience Research, and undertaken a “skills deep dive” into three key areas of the industry over the next decade. These are: Nature-based solutions Net zero and bioresources Artificial intelligence and data and digital skills This report supports the achievement of the industry’s Net […]

21 Feb 2024

A £5.6 million flood defence fund to help protect West Yorkshire’s communities and businesses from extreme weather has been signed off by regional leaders. The investment will be used to refurbish a flood channel in Leeds, redirect floodwater away from businesses and into the River Holme in Huddersfield, and create new areas of wetland to […]