WET News

2 WET NEWS APRIL 015 COMMENT "...you can't help but think that Quinn is the right man to steady the ship" APRIL 14 SEPA will publish in Decem- ber a flood risk management strategy for each of the 14 Local Plan Districts created in Scotland. The strategy will be formed from SEPA's consultation on flood risk. "The huge demand for engineering professionals on infrastructure projects like ours creates a need to recognise those who meet the professional stand- ards expected in our industry." Phil Stride, head of Thames Tideway Tunnel. Costain has reported a 75% rise in reported pre-tax pro‰ t and a 15% increase in turnover for the year to December 31, 2014. 75% 15% Quote of the month "Engineering, technology and innovation are in the DNA at Costain" Costain, annual results 2014 £140M The value of work to be brought forward by the government from the six- year £2.3bn flood defence programme to better protect more than 130,000 houses and businesses from flooding. £80M The underlying pre-tax loss reported by Balfour Beatty for 2014 "Getting the go-ahead to make such signi- ficant improvements at Deephams is a real boost... One of the biggest challenges will be upgrading the site while keeping it fully operational." Nigel Watts, head of wastewater treatment, Thames Water. "We are con‰ dent that our collaboration with our fellow partners will successfully deliver the Anglian Water business plan and outcomes, and ensure that we continue to drive e— ciency and innovation..." Jim Davey, associate director, Clancy Docwra. £6M How much United Utilities is spending to replace four 150-year old mains with plastic pipes. The new pipes will be threaded through the existing cast iron mains, which supply water to Liverpool . B alfour Beatty is in the red having reported an £80M underlying pre-tax loss for 2014 (see front page). The results are "pretty horrid" said chief executive Leo Quinn, announcing swi‚ action in the form of suspending the „ nal dividends for 12 months and changing pension fund payments. Quinn has likened the mammoth task of turning Balfour Beatty's fortunes around as being like "turning an oil tanker". Slow and deliberate. It's well documented that Balfour Beatty's problems have stemmed from the UK construc- tion business, with Quinn poor control and a lack of cash and cost management. Quinn has already outlined his Build to Last programme aimed at transforming the group. The fact that he appears to have done so much since his return to Balfour Beatty at the beginning of this year, you can't but help think Quinn is the right man to steady the ship. Utility Week Live is worth the visit Later this month, Utility Week Live incorporating IWEX makes its debut at the NEC from April 21-23. It's the only conference and exhibition to focusing on the needs of the water, energy and gas utilities. As individual companies, utilities may specialise in one or more of these sectors but there are common challenges and issues – streetworks, innovation, smart cities and a growing population, for instance – that need to be addressed. That's where the show can help. The leading experts in their respective „ elds will be on hand to impart their knowledge and thoughts on overcoming these issues. Free inside this issue of WET News is the Utility Week Live preview to give a you a taste of what's on show or you can check out the website at www. utilityweeklive.co.uk. A new chapter has begun It's April 2015, so AMP6 must „ nally have arrived. Unlike previous starts to the new cycle, this time feels like a new chapter is starting rather than the water sector's contractors and supply chain expecting the usual regulatory cycle routine. This time 'change' is very much in the air, a‚ er all the water companies are talking about their capital delivery plans not just for the next „ ve years, but the next ten or even 15. Some would put this down to the totex factor in enabling the water companies to think in the longer term. A huge congratulations should go to regulator Ofwat for introducing totex thinking in the water companies' PR14 business plans. I would also suggest that the change is also through the continuing trend for coopera- tion and collaboration in the supply chain. Sharing risk makes sound business practice. But this collaboration also ensures the best ideas are put into place in an industry that must continue to innovate. More work needed to implement EU water legislation ¡ European Union policy is helping develop a dynamic, world-leading water sector. But growth needs to be supported by better policy implementation, said European Commission. T he EC has revealed that there is still more work to do on implementing EU water legislation even though progress has been made. The revelation comes as the commission has published two reports – one on the Water Framework Directive's (WFD) implementation one on the Floods Directive. European commissioner for the Environment, Maritime A£ airs and Fisheries, Karmenu Vella, said: "In the EU we're fortunate to have in place solid legislation that has steadily contributed to ensure good quality water. But I see no room for complacency: the communication and reports published show that member states need to sustain and enhance action to implement the Water Framework Directive and Floods Directive to bene„ t people, nature and the environment addressing pollution, excessive abstraction and rivers alterations. To this end, EU funding opportunities should be exploited to the full." The WFD sets a framework at European level that aims to ensure clean water in su§ cient quantities for people and nature, and for use in economic sectors such as agriculture, aquaculture, energy, transport and tourism. The commission said that the policy was helping develop a dynamic, world- leading water sector, but that growth needed to be supported by better policy implementation to achieve sustainability and environmental objectives. EU legislation was also improving water protection, but "warning lights are ¨ ashing" for some EU waters, which meant that "good environmental quality for all EU waters is still some way distant", said the report. "Particular problems include excessive abstraction for irrigation around the Mediterranean and Black Sea, widespread nutrient pollution from agriculture, and changes to river ¨ ow as a result of poorly planned hydropower or ¨ ood protection, or measures to encourage navigation," it said. WATER INNOVATION FORUM 2015 28 May 2015 | Hilton Hotel | Belfast The innovative Water Dragons event goes live at the Water Innovation Forum 2015 in Belfast, 28th May. This exciting initiative where companies with new products or services have the opportunity pitch their ideas in a dragons den, will be part of a daylong seminar which features presentations from Northern Ireland Water, Irish Water, Government Departments and supply chain innovators. Short listed entries will pitch their ideas to a panel of Senior Industry Figures, including executives from both N.I. Water and Irish Water who will decide upon the winning entry that will then go forward to the national finals later this year. To add spice to the competition the audience will get the chance to vote for their favourite innovation entry, in addition to the panel of dragons. The seminar day will be facilitated by well- known broadcaster, Wendy Austin. There will be presentations, innovation workshops and 'meet the buyer' sessions throughout the day. The event will be enhanced by an exhibition area where suppliers and other industry stakeholders will be able to show their wares and there will be ample networking opportunities in this magnificent venue. The Society will also be hosting a pre-event 'Networking Dinner' at the same venue on the evening of the 27th May when guests from across the water and wastewater sector will enjoy an evening of fine dining and entertainment with N.I. TV personality and comedian William Caulfield. Join us as a delegate at the water innovation event of the year or take up one of the many sponsorship opportunities being offered, on a first come first served basis Further details of the event, sponsorship and exhibitor opportunities and Water Dragon entry forms are available from Angela Long angela@sbwwi.co.uk Endorsed by WaterAid's mission is to transform lives by improving access to safe water, improved hygiene and sanitation in the world's poorest communities. www.wateraid.org/uk/ni 0141 414 7267 Registered charity numbers 288701 (England and Wales) and SC039479 (Scotland) INNOVATION FORUM 2015 28 May 2015 | Hilton Hotel | Belfast The event will be enhanced by an exhibition area where suppliers and other industry stakeholders will be able to show their wares and there will be ample networking opportunities in this magnificent venue. dragons The WFD sets a framework to ensure clean water in su— cient quantities

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