Flooding is partly a natural and partly a man-made phenomenon. It impacts on many aspects of water company activities and can have serious implications for water and wastewater services. The key role for the water industry is in planning for and minimising the risks presented by flooding.
Droughts and floods are two sides of the same coin: too much or too little water, in the wrong place at the wrong time. While droughts impact predominately on the supply of water, flooding tends to impact on both water supply and wastewater services.
For historical and economic reasons the UK has mostly combined the sewer systems in urban areas, to collect both foul sewage and surface water. When combined sewers cannot cope with heavy rainfall, the result can be surface flooding or 'backing up' of foul sewers.
The frequency of such events is predicted to increase with climate change. This may result in the review of sewer design and of flood risk management projects. The priority is the prevention of internal property flooding and the reduction of surface flooding when the sewer system is overwhelmed. In the current investment period, the industry is committed to spending of more than £1 billion in reducing the risk of sewer flooding.
What is needed is a clear designation of responsibilities and duties in this complex area and a greater emphasis on more sustainable or ‘softer’ approaches, including catchment solutions and integrated or sustainable urban drainage systems.
Water companies can also be victims of flooding events and storm surges. These can take out or impair asset performance and can have serious effects on customers.
Wednesday, 27 June 2007
Innovation Forum: Water Resources
Managing water supply and demand through innovation
Commonwealth Club, London 18/07/07
An industry conference dedicated to innovation in the water sector, focusing specifically on water resources. Activity will be discussed in the context of 25-year water resources plans (water resource plans became statutory in April 2007) and the PR09 business planning cycle to identify key areas for action.
This activity will bring together the industry, supply chain and key stakeholders to explore the issue of water resources and other challenges to be faced over the next 5, 10, 20 and 25 years. The Forum will include facilitated debate to establish new approaches, brainstorm solutions and also look at lessons that might be learnt from other sectors or other countries.
Breakout sessions will focus on different areas including climate change, consumers (covering social and demographic change), sustainable buildings and construction, achieving regional developments - housing and business and their impacts.
The event will provide sufficient time for participants to discuss relevant issues and to identify 4 themes or opportunities for innovation in the industry going forwards.
Documents to download are:
- Invitation
- Booking form
Contact Elaine Cox by email or call 020 7344 1834 for more information or to book a place.
Commonwealth Club, London 18/07/07
An industry conference dedicated to innovation in the water sector, focusing specifically on water resources. Activity will be discussed in the context of 25-year water resources plans (water resource plans became statutory in April 2007) and the PR09 business planning cycle to identify key areas for action.
This activity will bring together the industry, supply chain and key stakeholders to explore the issue of water resources and other challenges to be faced over the next 5, 10, 20 and 25 years. The Forum will include facilitated debate to establish new approaches, brainstorm solutions and also look at lessons that might be learnt from other sectors or other countries.
Breakout sessions will focus on different areas including climate change, consumers (covering social and demographic change), sustainable buildings and construction, achieving regional developments - housing and business and their impacts.
The event will provide sufficient time for participants to discuss relevant issues and to identify 4 themes or opportunities for innovation in the industry going forwards.
Documents to download are:
- Invitation
- Booking form
Contact Elaine Cox by email or call 020 7344 1834 for more information or to book a place.
EU to address water scarcity
The European Parliament and the Council of Ministers having concluded negotiations on the Floods Directive will move rapidly to deal with the Commission’s communication on water scarcity and drought.
This ties in with the forthcoming release of the Green Paper on Climate Change, with water being one of its components. Water UK welcomes these initiatives and supports the adoption of principles and recommendations at EU level but leaving implementation to member states.
This ties in with the forthcoming release of the Green Paper on Climate Change, with water being one of its components. Water UK welcomes these initiatives and supports the adoption of principles and recommendations at EU level but leaving implementation to member states.
2006-07 results are evidence of a strong water industry
Water companies in England and Wales are reporting good financial and operational results for the year up to 31 March.
Companies report steady progress with major capital expenditure programmes aimed at improving reliability and meeting statutory obligations for environmental improvement.
A Water UK background briefing has concluded the following:
Investment
• All water bill-payers, consumers and investors benefit from well-performing companies.
• The scale of capital investment by water companies sets them apart from other sectors - the industry regularly invests half its annual turnover.
• A large share of the investment is required by government to enable the country to comply with environmental directives.
Profits
• Company profits make possible investment that is transforming our rivers and beaches and reviving wildlife habitats and species long forgotten in many regions.
• Profits look high compared to other sectors because investment is high compared to other sectors.
• It is simplistic to quote or compare profits without quoting the investment they make possible and the rate of return to investors.
Prices
• Water prices are regulated by the independent Water Services Regulation Authority (the economic regulator Ofwat).
• Ofwat sets price limits for water companies to ensure that water services are delivered as efficiently as possible.
• In setting limits the regulator takes into account the investments required by government and consults extensively with environmental and drinking water regulators and water customers.
Companies report steady progress with major capital expenditure programmes aimed at improving reliability and meeting statutory obligations for environmental improvement.
A Water UK background briefing has concluded the following:
Investment
• All water bill-payers, consumers and investors benefit from well-performing companies.
• The scale of capital investment by water companies sets them apart from other sectors - the industry regularly invests half its annual turnover.
• A large share of the investment is required by government to enable the country to comply with environmental directives.
Profits
• Company profits make possible investment that is transforming our rivers and beaches and reviving wildlife habitats and species long forgotten in many regions.
• Profits look high compared to other sectors because investment is high compared to other sectors.
• It is simplistic to quote or compare profits without quoting the investment they make possible and the rate of return to investors.
Prices
• Water prices are regulated by the independent Water Services Regulation Authority (the economic regulator Ofwat).
• Ofwat sets price limits for water companies to ensure that water services are delivered as efficiently as possible.
• In setting limits the regulator takes into account the investments required by government and consults extensively with environmental and drinking water regulators and water customers.
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