Verity Mitchell’s Post

How does the public value water? 💦 Together with The UK Water Partnership, Costain Group are leading research to determine the whole-life, well-being impact of #water assets. Take a look at their article on pages 28-29 in this latest issue of the Institute of Water magazine. https://lnkd.in/eXNNrBk6 Costain Group PLC/ @instituteofwater #instituteofwater #waterindustry

This morning our Deputy Chair Julia Prescot was on the opening panel of the @Water Report and Indepen #SocialContractSummit "on what water problems do we need to solve". One of the problems she said was ensuring England's #water infrastructure up to 2050 and beyond can respond to the twin challenges of a growing population and the impacts of #climatechange - i.e increased risk of dought, which necessitated the need to generate 4bn litres of additional water supply a day in England by 2050. Building new supply #infrastructure - along with tackling leaks and reducing demand - was one of the three key routes to solving this long term challenge facing the sector. With significant new infrastructure needing to be built - reservoirs, transfer networks - this required a #regulatory system that functions in a way that encourages investment into the sector when it's needed, but also ensures due attention is given to improving the #resilience and #maintenance of the system as a whole. Attracting investors into the market in the face of competition from attractive markets like the US also means addressing issues likely to give investors pause, such as the current slow pace of the #planning system for major infrastructure. The need for reform of the regulatory environment to drive the right behaviours from companies and investors on issues like #resilience and protecting the natural environment was the focus of much of the discussion with fellow panellists Colin Skellet of Wessex Water, River Action's James Wallace and Lila Thompson of British Water. As too was the importance of the need to rebuild the public's dented confidence in the #water sector and increase the #transparency of both how the sector operates and the costs associated with future-proofing our water system. To familiarise yourself with our recommendations on #water and #resilience in our 2nd National Infrastructure Assessment, visit the #NIA2 page on our website here: https://lnkd.in/eUsUEhCJ

Interested in the south east's water resources? ♒ Us too! You can read the latest in a series of blogs we've written for WRSE over on https://lnkd.in/ecF3q7D7

The draft framework for delivering the 450 GL outlines our approach to water recovery in the Murray-Darling Basin. As part of our approach, we are introducing 3 new programs: 🏞️ Resilient Rivers Water Infrastructure Program - infrastructure projects, rules changes, land and water partnerships, and other ways to recover water with the state-led pathway available now 💧 Voluntary Water Purchase Program - purchase of water entitlements from willing sellers 🧑🤝🧑 Sustainable Communities Program - adjustment assistance for Basin communities impacted by voluntary water purchase Read the framework to learn more about these programs and have your say. #RestoringOurRivers #WaterRecovery #MurrayDarling #Basin #MDB #DCCEEW #Communities

Framework for recovering the 450 GL in the M-DB https://lnkd.in/g9vi6pJg

💧 Last chance for British Water members to register for our upcoming Spotlight Session with David Lloyd Owen. This session will explore the topic, “Water Privatisation In England & Wales, Past Drivers, Present Problems & Future Prospects”. Here is what you can expect: 1.      Historical Journey: Explore the transformative years since the 1973 reorganisation of water services. How have policies and regulations shaped the industry? What valuable lessons can we learn? 2.      Environmental Challenges: Uncover the difficulties of adhering to environmental standards. How can we strike a balance between progress and conservation? 3.      Pivotal Moments: Reflect on the privatisation of water services in 1989. What impact did it have on our waterways and beaches? 4.      Asset Management Period 2025-2030: As we prepare for this phase, discover strategies to implement necessary changes efficiently. How can we ensure sustainable water management? 5.      Rebuilding Public Trust: Learn how newly acquired tools and expertise can rebuild public confidence in our water systems. What role can you play as an expert? 📅 Date: Wednesday, May 15, 2024 🕐 Time: 13:00 - 14:30 (Online) 🔗 Register Now (https://lnkd.in/gpTUsSrG) 📩 Once registered you can submit a question in advance for David Llyod Owen. Join us as we shine a light on the pivotal moments shaping our water and wastewater community. This session is exclusive to British Water Members. #watermanagement #procurement #watersystems

Earlier today, I spoke to Francesca Rudkin Newstalk ZB about the water infrastructure deficit in New Zealand. Why are we in this position (water restrictions, high leakage rates, beaches closed by contamination…. And more)? ….a lack of investment over decades. How long will it take to address? …It will not be a quick fix. There is a backlog of 20-30 years of renewals depending on where you are in the country. What keeps me positive? ….that we are having this conversation, and we now have a far better appreciation of how bad the problem is. And we can not ignore it. What do we need? …clear timeline on when water reform (and the associated increase in investment) under the National-Act-NZ First Government will occur. The longer we leave it the larger the problem gets. Water New Zealand Department of Internal Affairs (NZ) #water

Big shoutout to Water Services Association of Australia (WSAA) for their work in publishing guidelines for managing Scope 3 emissions in the water sector! Did you know that Scope 3 emissions can account for 70-90% of a company's total emissions? For water utilities, these emissions are heavily tied to the embodied carbon in building and maintaining critical infrastructure and assets. Addressing these emissions is key to mitigating risks, aligning with the Paris Agreement, and supporting Australia’s Net Zero goals. WSAA’s leadership in this area sets a commendable example for other sectors to follow. Read WSAA’s guideline here 🔗: https://lnkd.in/gU7d4mrX Looking to decarbonise your water assets? Reach out to The Footprint Company and TSA Riley. #Sustainability #Scope3Emissions #NetZero #WaterSector #CarbonFootprint #WSAA #EmbodiedCarbon #Infrastructure #TheFootprintCompany #TSARiley #PathtoNetZero

Will Thames Water go bust? What is the best model for the sector? For a wider view of recent history and the 'financialisation' of the sector please see my article https://lnkd.in/eP3p6JS4 #waterindustry #money #environment #environmentalservices #water

What is the future of the UK water sector? 💧 Understanding more about the future of the UK water sector allows you to get prepared and choose the right suppliers for your needs. With that in mind, let’s take a look at what the next few years have in store for Britain’s water sector. https://ow.ly/rWZ750SQZbw