06 Jul 2021

Plastic pollution and projected growth of plastics – check this page of projections – and you’ll get the scale of the problem we are facing. Call for global treaty to end production of ‘virgin’ plastic by 2040 Scientists say agreement must cover extraction of raw materials and pollution that blights seas and land Science: A […]

02 Jun 2020

Exactly the sort of innovation water companies need to be embracing’: battery storage system installed at Preston plant Two units “the size of shipping containers” are set to optimise onsite solar, provide power resilience and reduce emissions at the wastewater plant, which services 260,000 homes and businesses in North West England. A 2MW battery storage […]

29 Oct 2019

Like the successful schemes by Welsh Water …  United Utilities is offering farmers with unwanted, unlabelled or out-of-date chemicals in their sheds and stores the opportunity to get them safely disposed of free of charge and with no questions asked. United Utilities ‘The water company is offering a pesticides and poisons amnesty to farmers in […]

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, […]

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 […]

13 Jun 2018

Michael Gove said: “Thames Water completely failed in their duty of care to their customers, leaving them to suffer leaks for far too long through poor management. But actions speak louder than words, and they must deliver on their commitment to provide compensation and much-needed improvements to customers. “This is exactly the kind of decisive […]

31 May 2017

Two articles focussing on resilience. The levels of investment by UU in solar and AD are interesting and reflect clear thinking on energy and energy prices.  Climate change ‘huge’ threat to water resilience  Utility Week: ‘Bristol Water boss Mel Karam, warns against complacency as “drought watch” kicks in across parts of the UK. The chief […]