INDEX
Water Metering to Become an Option in Long Term Plans
Water companies in areas of serious water stress will be able to seek compulsory water metering.
Managing Agricultural Diffuse Pollution - Time for a Change
Water UK Statement on Publication by Defra of Consultations on the Revised Code of Good Agricultural Practice, the Nitrates Directive and Diffuse Pollution from Agriculture.
Have Your Say on the Future of Waterways
The Environment Agency Navigation Funding Strategy Customer Research Project.
The Government has Granted Planning Permission for the Thames Gateway Desalination Plant
Water in the South East - A New Website
The new website has replaced the ‘Beat the drought’ website as a single point of reference for consumers.
UK BIODIVERSITY ACTION PLAN (UK BAP) SPECIES AND HABITAT REVIEW
(Posted 14 September 2007)
The Governments of all four UK administrations have now adopted the recommendations of experts and published the UK list of priority species and habitats. This list, a result of the most comprehensive analysis ever undertaken in the UK, contains 1149 species and 65 habitats that have been listed as priorities for conservation action under the UK Biodiversity Action Plan (UK BAP).
WATER METERING TO BECOME AN OPTION
IN LONG TERM PLANS
(Posted 14 September 2007)
Water companies in areas of serious water stress will be able to seek compulsory water metering as part of their 25-year forward plans, Environment Minister Phil Woolas announced on 16 August 2007. The proposal, developed by the Water Saving Group, adds metering to the existing raft of options for companies - alongside developing new resources – for ensuring long-term security of supply. Today’s move follows consultation with companies, regulators, charities and members of the public.
Full text of the Press Release is available on the Defra website:
(http://www.defra.gov.uk/news/2007/070816a.htm)
MANAGING AGRICULTURAL DIFFUSE
POLLUTION - TIME FOR A CHANGE
Water UK Statement on Publication by Defra of Consultations on the Revised Code of Good Agricultural Practice, the Nitrates Directive and Diffuse Pollution from Agriculture
(Posted 14 September 2007)
According to a press release from Water UK, Steve Ntifo, Water UK Environment and Science Adviser, said, “We support the steps Defra is taking, but more needs to be done to incentivise farmers and the agriculture sector to implement the polluter pays and cost recovery principles as required by the Water Framework Directive.
Full text of the press release and the Statement are available on the Water UK website:
(http://www.water.org.uk/home/news/press-releases/agriculture-consultations-?_mode=view)
HAVE YOUR SAY ON THE FUTURE OF WATERWAYS
The Environment Agency Navigation Funding Strategy Customer Research Project
(Posted 14 September 2007)
Boaters and anyone else with an interest in inland waterways are being asked to help shape the future of some of England’s most popular navigable rivers by taking part in a far-reaching Environment Agency survey. The survey and a discussion forum will be available until 7 September 2007. Responses will then be considered during the drafting of a Navigation Funding Strategy. The final Strategy will be presented to the Environment Agency Board in November, while the survey findings will be published on the Environment Agency website.
Full text of the Press Release is available on the Agency’s website:
(http://www.environment-agency.gov.uk/news/1839923)
THE GOVERNMENT HAS GRANTED PLANNING PERMISSION FOR THE THAMES GATEWAY DESALINATION PLANT
(Posted 14 September 2007)
On 18 July 2007 Thames Water reported on the announcement by the Secretaries of State for Defra, and the Department of Communities and Local Government (DCLG), which follows a legal Undertaking by Thames Water agreeing not to operate the plant until it has entered into an operating agreement with the Environment Agency.
Although the technology is widely used throughout the world, it will be the first time that any UK water company has attempted it. The plant will only be used during times of drought or extended periods of low rainfall, or to maintain supplies in the event of an incident at other water treatment facilities. Thames Water have also made a commitment to run it entirely on renewable energy and will be having discussions with potential suppliers of the bio-fuels they intend to use as the green power source.
The Mayor of London has launched a legal challenge to the Government’s approval for a desalination plant to which Thames Water issued a response on 21 August 2007.
Full text of the press releases can be found on the Thames Water website:
(http://www.thameswater.co.uk/UK/region/en_gb/content/Section_Homepages/Section_Homepage_000431.jsp?SECT=Section_Homepage_000431)
WATER IN THE SOUTH EAST
A New Website
(Posted 14 September 2007)
The water companies in the South East of England (Folkestone & Dover, Mid Kent, Portsmouth, Southern, South East, Sutton and East Surrey, Thames, and Three Valleys) are continuing to work with the Environment Agency to help promote sensible use of water. The new website has replaced the ‘Beat the drought’ website as a single point of reference for consumers, providing information on current water resources, what the water companies are doing to protect drinking water supplies in the long term, and how customers can help by using water wisely.
The new website can be found at:
(http://www.waterinthesoutheast.com/)