05 Sep 2024

In a recent article, we looked back at how OCF has evolved from CMS. We’ve worked hard in that time to bring practitioners together as a community, and create a wider network of experts and stakeholders to benefit our sector. We’re now looking to build on the progress we’ve made. We intend to grow and […]

05 Sep 2024

Wastewater treatment works’ process emissions: optimisation of current processes As the monitoring of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from the UK & Irish water industries is increasingly built into regulatory requirements, there is a need to limit the emissions linked with wastewater treatment works’ (WWTWs’) operational practices. The aim of this project was to set out […]

05 Sep 2024

The campaign group Fighting Dirty has lost its case against the Environment Agency at the High Court today (August 21), on the crucial issue of spreading toxic sewage sludge on farmland. The judge ruled that the Environment Agency was not obliged to change its policy when the former Conservative Secretary of State for Environment failed to act. […]

05 Sep 2024

England’s National Parks, renowned for their natural beauty and diverse wildlife, are facing a hidden threat: pharmaceutical pollution. New research from the University of York and the Rivers Trust has revealed widespread contamination of rivers in the parks, with antidepressants, anticonvulsants, antimicrobials, anti-inflammatory substances, lipid regulators and diabetes treatments being detected. The study found pharmaceuticals […]

05 Sep 2024

According to the Guardian, many protected landscapes owned by English water firms in disrepair, with Figures revealing just 16% of company-controlled sites of special scientific interest are in good condition. New data on the MLG shows some landowners have fallen behind; in addition to water companies, only 14.6% of SSSIs belonging to national park authorities […]

05 Sep 2024

A group of organisations, led by the Cambridge Institute for Sustainability Leadership (CISL) and including NGOs, consultants and water companies, has published The Catchment Management Declaration: a renewed, collaborative commitment to water. Originally launched by the (then) Prince of Wales in 2018, these organisations will take a collaborative approach to managing water and natural capital […]

05 Sep 2024

Water UK, the trade association for the water industry, has published its response to Ofwat’s recent draft determination, which gives the economic regulator’s initial view of water company business plans for the forthcoming five year period, 2025 to 2040. In its submission Water UK urges Ofwat to back company plans in full and ensure the […]