Utility Week

UTILITY WEEK | 3RD - 9TH AUGUST 2018 | 21 Operations & Assets Operations & Assets ment Agency in May 2013, and more recently, the work of the 21st Century Drainage Programme. The project team has begun work on the framework and it is scheduled to be published in late summer 2018. Brian Arkell, project director at Atkins, said: "The need to provide a guiding framework for the long-term planning of drainage and wastewater services that can be applied across England and Wales, and potentially have relevance for other parts the UK, has never been so clear. Population growth, new development, urban creep and climate change are all putting increasing pressure on our drainage systems." Pictured is Deganwy in Conwy, Wales, where Atkins has groundworks. If you have an asset or project you would like to see featured in this slot, please send pictures and details of the project to: alicecooke@fav-house.com. FACTFILE: RESILIENCE IN WASTEWATER Why it matters Government bodies, utilities, practitioners and researchers all have a growing interest in the incorporation of resilience into wastewater management. This is because climate change is bringing more volatile and extreme weather patterns. In just the past few years we have seen severe droughts, floods, and extremes of rainfall and cold weather. This has led to shortages and too much water, sometimes both at once. At the same time, environmental standards are getting even tougher, particularly around the quality of our rivers and bathing waters. This requires the highest standards of water treatment and well- maintained sewer networks. Another big challenge facing many water companies is dealing with growth in population and housing. The UK's population is expected to rise by 10 million by the 2030s and by a further 10 million by around 2050. Long-term strategy Brian Arkell, project director of Atkins, says: "A strategic and joined-up long-term strategy will be an essential part of how the industry strengthens its drainage resilience for generations to come. "Atkins is well-placed to drive the development of this framework, having led on a number of initiatives that have shaped the future of the water industry, including the first study to look at the long-term resilience of public water supply and also the creation of wastewater resilience metrics that will be adopted by all water companies in England and Wales. Both projects were undertaken for Water UK." 2013 Ofwat's Drainage Strategy Framework was published 2015 The 21st Century Drainage coalition was formed 2016 Water UK's Long-Term Water Resources Planning Framework was published 10 million The estimated rise in the population of the UK by the 2030s 20 million The estimated number of additional people there will be in the UK by 2050

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