Water & Wastewater Treatment

www.wwtonline.co.uk | WWT | JULY 2015 | 7 W WT's Wales Water 2015 conference provided the first opportunity for experts in the sector to digest and discuss the Welsh Government's first ever Water Strategy for Wales, which was published in May. Taking place in Cardiff on May 20th, and sponsored by ABB, CGI and Veolia, the second annual Wales Water conference was attended by around 150 delegates all keen to hear about the Welsh Government's Water management Water Strategy for Wales seeks an integrated approach Conference News ● Integrated resource management sought with a sustainable vision ● Payments for ecosystem services to become more widespread ● Affordability of water a central concern key approaches that public bodies should take to promote sustainable development: thinking for the long term; prevention rather than cure; integration across different goals or policy areas; collaboration between organisations; and involvement with key stakeholders. All of these are key themes in the water strategy. The strategy sets out to overcome challenges that include the impact of climate change and the challenges this poses to assets, as well as population growth, increasing demand, and pollution. "Picking up the theme of integrated management of natural resources, our first job is to look at the eco-system as a whole rather than individual elements of it," said Davies. One priority for the Welsh Government is to look at ways of establishing new opportunities regarding payment for ecosystem services. Welsh Water has already begun to use this approach, for example through its Weed Wipers initiative, but the strategy envisages such a model being used much more widely. "In the long term we will be looking at ways of reducing the regulatory burden by integrating different policies and plans," said Davies. "More immediate is planning for wastewater and sewerage systems. For example, we want to examine how we can accelerate the development of new types of sustainable drainage." The strategy outlines the need for innovative approaches related to water management – a good example of which is the ongoing RainScape programme – while the affordability of water is also a key focus, with social tariffs, flexible charging structures and bad debt regulations on the agenda. He concluded: "With regard to the water strategy there are six priorities moving forward: contributing to the wider approach of natural resource management; progressing the affordability agenda; reforming the abstraction licensing system; reviewing and changing practices – and possibly regulatory approaches – to tackle diffuse pollution; creating a 21st century sustainable sewerage/drainage system; and being clear about responsibility and accountability regarding the devolution of water/sewerage networks." Chris Jones, the chief executive of Delegates at the Wales Water 2015 conference in Cardiff were able to discuss the new strategy strategic direction for water policy over the next 20 years. First to deliver a presentation was Prys Davies, deputy director for the energy, water and flood division at the Welsh Government. "Regarding the strategy's vision, we must manage water resources in a sustainable way for the benefit of our communities, the environment and business – that's the whole aim," he told delegates. According to Davies, there are five Steed Webzell, FreeLance WaTer JoUrnaLIsT

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