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UtilitY WEEK | 27th March - 2nd april 2015 | 5 WatEr This week the Department of Energy and climate change unveiled the winners of its #Backclimatechange photography competition. James Alexander, from Kent, took first prize for his striking picture of a mummified zebra carcass in Kenya. Energy Secretary Ed davey, who was one of the competition judges, said: "these images bring home the very personal impact that climate change will have on all parts of our lives, threatening our way of life as well as livelihoods, communities and economies. Alan Lovell named new CCWater chair The Consumer Council for Water (CCWater) has named Alan Lovell as its replacement for long- standing chair Dame Yve Buckland. Lovell will take up the four- year role and succeed on 1 April. Buckland is stepping down as chair of the watchdog after ten years in the position, having been appointed when CCWater was created in 2005. Lovell's appointment was confirmed by the Department for Environment and Rural Affairs (Defra) and the Welsh government last Friday afternoon. He has previously been the chairman of six companies, including construction business Costain and sports equipment retailer Dunlop Slazenger. CCWater chief executive Tony Smith said Lovell would be an "invaluable asset" to the watchdog as the industry moved towards competition in April 2017. Smith added: "We're determined to ensure customers' interests are reflected in the new marketplace and Alan will play a lead role in ensuring the industry acts in the best interests of consumers." Smith also paid tribute to Buckland, saying she had done a "fantastic job". "Only in an uncompetitive market do you get to screw your customers with impunity" Speaking at the launch of its new tariff, Tempus Energy chief executive Sara Bell says the energy market is changing and Tempus will maintain consumer trust. As part of Water Waste Week (22 March to 28 March), Kingston University's Landscape Interface Studio has pro- posed plans to deal with rain water excess and scarcity in urban areas, with a city-wide strategy for London. https://landscapeisking ston.wordpress.com Plan for porous London the company behind energy switching app Voltz said this week it recorded the fastest ever energy deal switch, at one minute five seconds – less time than it takes to make a cup of tea Current situation 1. Rain 2. Most of the city's surface is non-permeable, so water runs through it 3. Run-off water gets into the Thames 4. Excess water runs back into the city 5. Flood Proposal 1. Rain 2. Run-off water 3. Urban valleys collect rain water on its way to the Thames 4. Permeable surfaces (plus urban rivers) absorb and retain the rain water 5. The Thames catches the amount of water it is able to retain ➊ ➊ ➋ ➋ ➌ ➌ ➍ ➍ ➎ ➎