Water & Wastewater Treatment Magazine
Issue link: https://fhpublishing.uberflip.com/i/1055150
Xylem has announced the appointment of Jason Howlett as its new managing director for the UK and Ireland, overseeing both the sales and services divisions of the business. Howlett boasts 18 years' experience in the water industry, where has been involved in operating and maintaining some of the largest assets in the UK water industry. Anglian Water has appointed former Kier MD Paul Fletcher as director of its @one Alliance, the 15-year partnership of engineering and construction partners. To ensure a smooth transition, Fletcher joined the alliance in September and in January will formally take over from Dale Evans, who is moving into a consultancy role a er 15 years' service at the helm of @one. Lila Thompson has been appointed as the new chief executive of British Water. Thompson, who has been promoted from her role as international director, will take up the full-time position on 3 December 2018 when current chief executive Lloyd Martin steps down and becomes the first woman to take the role at the head of the trade association. The Talk: December ROUND UP PEOPLE MOVES 4 | DECEMBER 2018 | WWT | www.wwtonline.co.uk Ofwat performance payments announced Ofwat has begun consulting on proposed outperformance and underperformance payments for four of the 17 water companies in England and Wales, to be applied from April of next year. Anglian Water's leakage reduction resulted in a proposed net outperformance payment of £4.6 million, while South West Water saw a net underperformance payment of £0.27m, and Hafren Dyfrdwy incurred a proposed net underperformance payment of £62K. Severn Trent has made major progress in reducing sewer flooding and pollution, with Ofwat proposing it takes £24.9 million of its outperformance payment for wastewater now, with its additional outperformance payment deferred until 2020. However, it has underperformed on supply interruptions, leakage and drinking water complaints, with Ofwat proposing a net underperformance payment of £29.6 million for water. UU signs AI deal United Utilities has become the first water company in the UK to introduce large-scale artificial intelligence into its operational systems a er signing a framework agreement with EMAGIN. The technology firm's artificial intelligence platform, called HARVI, can assess vast amounts of data on a wide range of factors such as weather, demand for water, pump performance and electricity prices. More action needed to help customers More than half a million low-income households are now receiving financial help to reduce their water bills, according to the Consumer Council for Water, but the watchdog warned that about three- quarters of nearly 3 million customers who say their water bills are unaffordable will not receive a penny of support unless water companies dip into their own pockets to bolster assistance schemes. CCWater senior policy manager Andy White said: "We are calling on water companies to bridge the gap."