Selwood, the UK’s leading supplier of pump rental solutions, has won an exclusive contract to continue to hire pumps and pipework to Northumbrian Water for a minimum of three years.
The contract, which comes with the option to extend for a further two years, was awarded following a competitive tender process through which Selwood demonstrated expertise in comprehensive pump and pipework solutions.
Richard Brown, Managing Director at Selwood said: “We are delighted to have won this contract to continue working with Northumbrian Water as valued partners.
“We work hard to meet and exceed the requirements of our clients and partners by providing safe, robust, and reliable commercial pumping solutions and investing in our products, people and resources. We are pleased that this has been recognised by Northumbrian Water in one of a string of recent contract wins.”
Northumbrian Water provides water and sewerage services to 2.7 million people in the North East of England, making it the biggest water supplier in the region.
For more information visit www.selwood.co.uk
A survey of British Water members on the Labour Party’s plan to renationalise the water industry shows that a majority believe it will negatively impact the supply chain and customers.
On overall impact on the supply chain, 78% of respondents said they believed future investment would be reduced or significantly reduced, while 14% believed it would increase. Sixty-four per cent said they believed the number of people employed in the supply chain would be reduced.
A similar number, 66% believe that standards of service would be reduced or significantly reduced, but only 39% believe that water quality at the tap would be reduced. Some 40% of British Water’s 200+ member companies responded, with some 55% saying they believed their business’ turnover and profitability would be reduced or significantly reduced.
One respondent said, “I think there would be a lack of investment followed by a deterioration in assets and environmental performance. I think that drinking water standards would be maintained by hook or by crook.” Another said it would be useful to consider other models such as not-for-profit Dŵr Cymru Welsh Water.
Shadow chancellor of the exchequer, John McDonnell unveiled the Labour Party’s intention to bring the UK’s privatised water companies in England and Wales back into public ownership in a conference speech in September 2018. He said that the re-nationalised industry would be run by local councils, workers and customers under a new ownership model.
British Water UK director Paul Mullord said, “Changes in the ownership structure of the water industry would inevitably have an impact on British Water members. The risk coming from re-nationalisation is that levels of investment would fall, reducing opportunities for the supply chain, especially small and medium-sized enterprises, and potentially impacting on levels of service for customers.
“While less than 40% believe water quality into people’s homes would be affected, a majority of our members have expressed concern about the impact on their businesses, jobs and levels of investment.”
Of the 40% of British Water member companies that responded, 37% were consultants, 30% were contractors, 29% were manufacturers and suppliers, and 4% were water utilities.
British Water is the lead association for companies operating in the UK water industry supply chain. The survey was conducted by British Water to obtain the views of its members regarding the Labour Party’s proposal to re-nationalise water companies in England and Wales, most of which were privatised in 1989.
Southern Water is one of the first companies to be given a new-fast track approval process for engineering works which might affect the habitats of rare or protected species.
The licence from Natural England, the Government’s adviser for the natural environment, means a quicker approval process for engineering projects and development in recognition of high quality work protecting vulnerable wildlife, including dormice, badgers and crested newts.
We are one of the first four out of 17 major water companies in England and Wales to receive an ‘organisational licence’. The company will continue to carry out the same level of care and scrutiny and will continue to report on outcomes to Natural England.
“From a business point of view and investment in the environment, this will mean that work on key schemes will start sooner and there will be less bureaucracy but that is not the important point for me,” said Ian McAulay, Chief Executive, “We’re delighted to have this gesture of trust in our stewardship of the habitats and wildlife living in them. I am very proud that our efforts to be a friend of the environment and to stick to the best possible practice in everything we do has been recognised by Natural England.”
Whenever Southern Water undertakes a new project, it conducts a careful ecological survey to analyse the wildlife living in the area. The emphasis is placed on sensitive or protected species and if precious animals such as great crested newts or dormice are found then no work starts until a careful plan to prevent and mitigate any possible damage to habitats.
“This is fantastic news for Southern Water but especially for our ecologists and environmental advisors who work in close harmony with Natural England. I know I speak for everyone in the company when I say the reduced paperwork and new way of working will actually increase protection of our important species and habitats” said Dr Nicola Meakins, Southern Water’s Environmental Manager.
Andrew Smith, Natural England Area Manager for Thames, Dorset, Hampshire and the Isle of Wight said:
“Natural England is pleased to have worked with Southern Water over the last year to develop this Organisational Licence, which will benefit both Southern Water and Natural England by removing the need for numerous individual licences. The licence has been issued based on Southern Water’s experience in working with mitigation licences; avoiding impacts where possible and designing mitigation strategies that follow best practice for the species.
“The development of new strategic licences, such as this, is part of Natural England’s licensing improvement work to reduce our regulatory processes and we are hoping to work with more water utility companies.”
The custodians of the Chartered Environmentalist and Registered Environmental Technician professional registrations, the Society for the Environment, are delighted to launch the 2019 Environmental Professional of the Year Award nominations process.
The prestigious Environmental Professional of the Year award recognises the outstanding work of Chartered Environmentalist (CEnv) and Registered Environmental Technician (REnvTech) registrants. The Award showcases the achievements of those striving to protect and enhance the environment on a daily basis and attracts a diverse range of outstanding nominations each year from across sectors and continents.
The award is open to CEnv and REnvTech registrants only, and submissions are accepted for both self-nominations and nominations for your peers, colleagues or those that inspire you. Multiple nominations from one person are accepted and you are not required to be a CEnv or REnvTech in order to submit a nomination.
To be in with a chance of showcasing your environmental work or the work of your peers, the Society encourages you to apply using the link below by the deadline of 12:00 BST on Wednesday 1st May 2019.
Submit a Nomination
Previous winners include David Stubbs CEnv, registered via the Chartered Institute of Ecology and Environmental Management (CIEEM), Martin Bigg CEnv, registered via IEMA, and the 2018 winner, Graham Powell CEnv, registered via the Institute of Water.
Immediately after the 2018 presentation, Graham expressed that he was “delighted to receive the honour” and was “in shock” when his name was announced.
Now that the news has had time to sink in, Graham gives his insight into what it meant to win the 2018 Environmental Professional of the Year award:
“The 2018 award was a personal goal of mine after achieving runner up in the previous year, and I was in disbelief for the rest of the evening, and beyond! It is a proud moment for me – to be independently judged and recognised to be making a positive difference in an area of my job that I really care about is just a great feeling.
I’d encourage those who are thinking of nominating their peers or themselves to go for it. To have the opportunity to be considered for such awards is a great benefit of professional registration and membership. CEnv and REnvTech registration alone allows you to showcase your knowledge and experience – an award like this is a wonderful added bonus. It also provides a platform to raise the profile the positive environmental work in your sector and by the members of your professional body to a wider audience.”
For further encouragement, Graham concludes:
“The award could provide you with that little bit extra to be better placed for your career progression – it’s well worth a shot! Plus, the annual Awards and Lectures itself is a great opportunity to network with your peers, past and present, and I will be there again in 2019 to do just that.”
To find out more about the 2018 award and the reaction, please click here.
The 2019 award will be presented at the annual World Environment Day Awards and Lectures – “A Spotlight on Net Gain”, taking place at the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew on the 4th June 2019. Registration to attend this event is now open at socenv.org.uk/event/WED2019 and is FREE for CEnv and REnvTech registrants.
The custodians of the Chartered Environmentalist (CEnv) and Registered Environmental Technician (REnvTech) registers, the Society for the Environment, are delighted to announce that Kew Gardens will host the Society’s Annual World Environment Day Awards and Lectures – “A Spotlight On Net Gain” – on the 4th June 2019, the eve of World Environment Day.
World Environment Day promotes environmental awareness and sustainability across the globe – a United Nations initiative held annually on the 5th June. It has highlighted important global issues since its origins in 1974 – including climate change, marine pollution and wildlife crime. This year’s global theme focuses on the blight of air pollution.
The Society has been championing World Environment Day for a number of years, and this year’s registration launch follows the huge success of last year’s event and awards, held at Arup, London.
The event, free to attend for current CEnv and REnvTech registrants, is a fantastic showcase for celebrating the work of environmental professionals, with a delegate list from across the Society’s twenty-five Licensed Professional Bodies. Aspiring CEnv and REnvTech registrants will also have the chance to network with current registrants and Society for the Environment staff to discover more about the benefits of registration.
On the 2019 agenda is a series of insightful expert lectures on the chosen topic of “Net Gain” – a topical choice, complementing the connected global World Environment Day theme of “Air Pollution”. In his Spring Statement, The Chancellor of the Exchequer Philip Hammond announced mandatory Biodiversity Net Gain as a requirement for developments and the Government’s TwentyFive Year Environment Plan included a commitment to delivering a wider Environmental Net Gain.
Among the speakers discussing this topic will be Nick Blyth CEnv, Policy and Engagement Lead at IEMA (Institute of Environmental Management and Assessment) and Claire Wansbury CEnv, Associate Director of Ecology at Atkins. The event will also see Sir Graham Wynn HonFSE provide the annual HonFSE Lecture, and the presentation of the 2019 Environmental Professional of the Year Award – recognising the outstanding work of CEnv and REnvTech registrants. This prestigious award will contribute to an evening of celebrating and showcasing the achievements of those striving to protect and enhance the environment on a daily basis. Nominations will open in the coming days.
Vice Chair of the Society for the Environment and event Chair, Dougal Driver CEnv, said:
“Whether you are nervous of the threat or excited by the challenges that face the environment there is no doubt that we live in interesting times, with consistent focus upon the agendas we hold dear as registered environmental professionals. The concept and process of Net Gain has gathered common parlance in policy and professional circles; perhaps for the first time there is an environmental term that makes sense to all and can be deployed by sectors with or without a deeprooted interest in the environment.
It is simple and it is deliverable and so it is important on marquee days like World Environment Day that we highlight the opportunity that Net Gain presents to all of us. When better to recognise excellence in the environmental field then on World Environment Day and so it is exciting to see the Society announce new Honorary Fellows and of course this year‘s winner of the Environmental Professional of the Year award. I congratulate all of the award nominees in advance and urge them to use their success as fuel (renewable of course) to advocate Net Gain to all.”
The event is of particular significance this year as it marks a 15 year milestone for the Society. Everyone is encouraged to attend to celebrate the anniversary, World Environment Day and the work of environmental professionals. Registration is free for CEnv and REnvTech registrants and a minimal £25 early bird price is available to other interested parties until the 31st March.
Register your attendance today at socenv.org.uk/event/WED2019 until 3 June.
Yesterday’s speech by Environment Agency chief executive James Bevan about the high risks water scarcity in the UK poses was covered widely in national media.
Lila Thompson, chief executive, British Water, said,
“British Water welcomes the speech from Environment Agency chief executive Sir James Bevan about the UK’s pending water crisis and the “mix of methods” needed to reduce demand and increase supply. Water scarcity is a very serious issue in the UK and globally and British Water members are very keen to play their part alongside the water utilities, the regulators and the public in achieving long-term water resilience.
“The water industry supply chain has a long history of innovation in meeting crises in water and sanitation evidenced over many decades. The UK already boasts a very broad range of technologies and expertise which include areas such as leakage detection, smart metering, data analytics and sustainable water management.
“As the UK’s lead trade association for the water industry, our members can provide knowledge and experience in every aspect of water technology, services and infrastructure. We are always ready to put those connections to work for the water industry in the UK and internationally.”
Food and clothing imported by wealthy Western countries are making it harder for many poor and marginalised communities to get a daily clean water supply, a new report from WaterAid warns.
As high-income countries buy products with considerable ‘water footprints’ – the amount of water used in production – from water-scarce countries, WaterAid is calling on this World Water Day for the production of these goods to be made more sustainable and for consumers to be more thoughtful in their purchasing habits.
In many areas that amount of water pumped out of underground aquifers (groundwater) for irrigation exceeds the amount that is naturally replenished – meaning that wells and pumps can run dry.
Some products have a huge water footprint:
- Your morning cup of coffee contains about 200 ml of actual water, yet the ground coffee takes 140 litres to produce.
- Avocados have an estimated water footprint of almost 2,000 litres per kilogram.
- Rice accounts for 40% of all global irrigation, and 17% of global groundwater depletion, with an average water footprint of 2,500 litres of water per kilogram.
- Cotton is a thirsty fabric: grown and produced in India it has a water footprint of 22,500 litres per kilogram; in Pakistan, this is an average of 9,800 litres and in the United States about 8,100 litres.
Just under two-thirds of the world’s population, or close to 4 billion people, live in water-scarce areas, where for at least part of the year demand exceeds supply. This number is expected to go up to 5 billion by 2050. One in nine people around the world currently do not have clean water close to home.
Export of food and crops, while important sources of income for most countries, contributes to this problem if production is not made sustainable. Industrial and agricultural use of water should not be prioritised over people’s ability to get water daily for their basic needs – particularly with climate change making things worse.
Virginia Newton-Lewis, WaterAid’s Senior Policy Analyst said:
“We all have a role to play in reducing the impact our consumption has on water-scarce communities around the world. Whether you’re a consumer, business or decision-maker, being more conscious about the effects of our actions on other parts of the world is crucial.
“It is unacceptable that the progress in increasing access that we have made over the past nearly two decades might now be undone. We need to realise that our consumption is not sustainable and take urgent action to change our ways.”
The consequences in some of the water exporting countries are dire:
- In Ethiopia, climactic changes alongside mass irrigation of crops for export, including roses, have been linked to the shrinking of Lake Abjata.[i]
- Pakistan is an extremely water-stressed country: the ratio of withdrawal to available supply is over 80%.[ii] Yet, Pakistan is the largest groundwater exporter – through production of crops – with 7.3 billion cubic meters in 2010.[iii]
- India’s rate of groundwater depletion increased by 23% between 2000 and 2010.[iv] India is the third largest exporter of groundwater – 12% of the global total.[v] India also uses the largest amount of groundwater – 24% of the global total.[vi] One billion people in the country live in water scarce areas.[vii]
In 2015, the global community committed to the UN Sustainable Development Goal 6, which promises that by 2030 everyone will have access to clean water, decent sanitation and good hygiene.
The human right to water must take priority ahead of other competing demands.
WaterAid Chief Executive Tim Wainwright said:
“This World Water Day, we are more determined than ever to make clean water, decent toilets and good hygiene normal for everyone everywhere, by 2030. The global consequences of unequal access to water and rapidly growing water scarcity, fuelled by a growing demand on water resources and the impact of climate and population changes, underline the need for co-ordinated international action on water security.
“An urgent understanding is needed to ensure that the push for economic development through exports of food and clothing, do not imperil current and future generations’ access to water. There can be no sustainable economic development without sustainable and equitable access to water.”
South West Water has been recognised for excellent customer service at the 2019 UK Customer Satisfaction Awards.
The company won the TLF Research Best Return on Customer Service Investment Award at the prestigious event, held in London this week.
Run by The Institute of Customer Service, the annual awards ceremony celebrates UK customer service achievements across the public, private and voluntary sectors.
The awards were created to showcase those organisations who genuinely place customers at the heart of their business strategy and build a sustainable culture of customer service within their organisation.
South West Water’s Customer Service Director Jo Ecroyd said: “I am really proud that the efforts our people are making to put customers at the heart of everything we do have been recognised in this way.
“We are all privileged to provide essential services that directly impact on the quality of life of the customers and communities we serve. Achieving such a prestigious award demonstrates that our customers really matter to us, that we listen to them and shape our plans around them.
“We will continue to work with our customers to understand their needs and to deliver a range of services that exceeds their expectations.”
In addition to South West Water, another 15 organisations and individuals were recognised for the way in which they have delivered the highest standards in UK customer service over the past year.
Jo Causon, CEO of The Institute of Customer service commented: “Given the challenging external environment, it is more crucial than ever to highlight – and celebrate – those inspirational moments which engage people on an emotional level and positively impact their experience of a brand.
“Our awards showcase the organisations who are achieving those things and setting the standard. I would like to congratulate every one of our winners – and all those who were shortlisted – and commend their ongoing commitment to improving customer service in their organisations.”
Organisations from a variety of sectors were recognised for their achievements at the prestigious awards ceremony. Of the 100 shortlisted organisations and individuals, some were well-known names and brands, whilst others represented small business and the public sector, demonstrating that good customer service is vital to all organisations and industries.
As today is International Women’s Day our CEO, Lynn Cooper has written a few words…
On International Women’s Day I’m celebrating the fact that almost 50% of our Board (6/14) are women and from five different Nations – Scotland, England, Northern Ireland, Wales and France – and more than 50% of this year’s Rising Stars are women.
However in comparison to the total number of women working in water and our Institute’s female members, we have significantly fewer. Do you think that we could we offer more for women, particularly mid-career?
If you are a woman in water with a story or an idea to share please get in touch by contacting info@instituteofwater.org.uk and together let’s support women in water!
Please join us for our One Day Engineering Conference (02/04/19) with an all woman speaking programme! Book Now to show your support for #womeninengineering!
‘Disrupt or be disrupted’ is the ultimatum being put to delegates at the Institute of Water’s 2019 Annual Conference.
Hosted by Sara Venning, Institute of Water President Elect and Chief Executive Officer of Northern Ireland Water, the conference is titled ‘Disrupt or be Disrupted: how disruption is transforming the water sector’.
Disruption is taking centre stage across the industry and the conference will consider the transformation that is taking place with emerging digital technologies and business models. These innovative new technologies and models, including robotics and automations, will undoubtedly benefit our businesses and change the shape of future customer services.
With global keynote speaker James Honeyborne – creator and Executive Producer of the renowned award-winning BBC Blue Planet II, the conference will explore disruption to the environment and the role of plastics within the water sector. We will also look at the importance of reputation within our organisations and how we can attract the best talent in the sector.
NI Water Chief Executive, Sara Venning said:
“Esteemed business expert, Sir John Parker will lead us into the conference, which will consider how the demands of the water industry are constantly evolving and will take a glance into the future to see how technological advances can improve our responses and bring benefits to our customers, as well as environmental considerations.”
“I’m very excited to welcome Blue Planet’s creator James Honeyborne, as well as globally renowned leading disruption expert Leo Johnson and technology expert Oliver Rees who will take us through the changing nature of the workplace. We have an excellent speaker line-up over the two days and look forward to announcing more information very soon.”
“I’m really looking forward to welcoming delegates to the wonderful city of Belfast in June for the conference events where we can all learn, create and share our ideas for the future.”
Water sector professionals are invited to come along for the latest industry thinking, digital technologies, environmental and reputational issues, mixed with a social programme that’s not to be missed.
Lynn Cooper, Institute of Water Chief Executive said:
“I’m delighted to be returning to Belfast where we can be sure of a very warm welcome. Sara has assembled an excellent mix of speakers from inside and outside the industry that will challenge the current thinking of the water sector and I’m confident that our Conference will once again have something to offer anyone with an interest in the water industry.”
The three-day conference takes place on 26th – 28th June 2019 and will be held at the Titanic Belfast. The Institute of Water’s Annual General Meeting and Meet the Leaders events will be on the 26th June, followed by the full conference on the 27th and 28th June.
Bookings are now open and people are encouraged to book early to secure the best deals on travel and accommodation and to ensure they don’t miss out on any of the specialist sessions or speakers. Flights to Belfast are regular with short flight times and operate from most UK airports.
Places can be booked online now by going to instituteowater.org.uk/disrupt19
Don’t forget to book your place at our associated conference events…
Institute of Water AGM – Book here.
National President’s Dinner and Awards – Book here.
Meet the Leaders – Book here.
Z-Tech Social Night – Book here.
Young Persons Network Launch – Book here.