Water & Wastewater Treatment Magazine
Issue link: https://fhpublishing.uberflip.com/i/1094482
www.wwtonline.co.uk | WWT | APRIL 2019 | 17 I N A S S O C I A T I O N W I T H professionals strongly agree that the regulatory regime under which their business operates is currently fi t for purpose. The majority of respondents (29.7 per cent) neither agree nor disagree, while 10.9 per cent strongly disagree. When asked if they have confi dence in their business' regulator, 31.7 per cent somewhat agree, while 10.4 per cent strongly disagree. There is also some disparity across diff erent sectors in terms of how much confi dence businesses have in their regulator. For energy networks (62.5 per cent) and water companies (62.1 per cent), the overwhelming majority have a posi ve percep on of their regulator. However, just 36.1 per cent of the supply chain and 21.9 per cent of energy genera on and retail businesses voiced confi dence in their regulator. The survey ques oned whether current regulatory regimes off er suffi cient freedoms and incen ves to foster innova on. Interes ngly, 41.1 per cent either strongly or somewhat agree, while just 12.4 per cent strongly disagree that today's regula on facilitates innova on. WATER PRESSURE Water companies play a pivotal role in improving environmental outcomes across their sector. For the Environment Agency (EA), which works closely with Ofwat in a bid to get the best outcomes for water customers, expecta ons for water companies are high as the sector works towards the 2019 price review (PR19). "Water companies will need to make big improvements if they are to achieve the commitments set out in their business plans," says Anne Dacey, the EA's deputy director. "The Environment Agency expects to see a signifi cant reduc on in pollu on incidents, investment to increase resilience to drought and fl ooding, and a commitment to enhance the environment." The organisa on's role as a regulator sees it provide advice to water companies on their environmental responsibili es and the ac on needed to meet those obliga ons. As part of this drive to challenge the water sector to invest in a more sustainable water network and the long-term future of the environment, the EA and Natural England have outlined some ambi ous targets as part of the Water Industry Na onal Environment Programme (Winep). The programme will contribute to delivering the environmental outcomes set out in the government's 25 Year Environment Plan. Last year, government announced that it expects water companies to invest up to £5 billion as part of Winep to improve environmental outcomes from 2020 to 2025. According to the EA, the programme will "help tackle some of the biggest challenges facing the water environment, from the spread of invasive species and low fl ows, to the eff ects of chemical and nutrient pollu on". As well as throwing down the gauntlet to water fi rms by se ng out the Winep obliga ons, the EA is encouraging water companies to work together to deliver innova ve catchment- based solu ons and to share examples of best prac ce in environmental management and saving water. The EA is also leading the development of a Na onal Framework for Water Resources which brings together water companies, regulators and other water users. "We are also suppor ng and facilita ng regional water resource groups," adds Dacey. "These regional water resource collabora ons will be crucial to inform the next round of water resource management plans. "We see control and reduc on of leakage as a fundamental component of water resource management planning and work closely with Ofwat on this issue." COLLABORATION IS KEY Simon Chadwick, central opera ons director at United U li es WATER INDUSTRY NATIONAL ENVIRONMENT PROGRAMME (WINEP) Winep iden fi es the environmental measures that companies should include in their business plans. However, this also presents an opportunity for the industry to develop innova ve approaches which will benefi t customers, communi es, the environment and natural capital. The programme consists of statutory and non-statutory measures, which may include inves ga ons, monitoring, op ons appraisals or schemes to improve and protect the water environment. The £5 billion investment by water companies up to 2025 will: Protect and improve at least 6,000km of waters across England. Protect and improve 24 bathing waters and 10 shellfi sh sites. Protect and improve 1,800 hectares of protected nature conserva on sites. Enhance nearly 900km of river and 4,276 hectares through wider biodiversity improvements.