WET News

FEBRUARY 2016 WET NEWS 3 A "radical rethink" on ood defence, including greater responsibility for water companies, is being called for by economist Dieter Helm. In a recent paper, Helm suggested the conventional approach to ood defence, carried out by the Environment Agency (EA), and • nanced largely by the Treasury, is "at best ine cient", and that water companies have the "capability and scale" to take over duties from the Environment Agency. The most important single step to be taken now is an "explicit recognition that the status quo is not only unsustainable, but is never likely to be sustainable", he said. "A radical rethink starts with working out what an optimal ood defence system would look like." "It is also a question of urgency and timing. A ECOM has been appointed lead design consultant for the central section of the Thames Tideway Tunnel. The company will work with FLO, the Ferrovial Agroman and Laing O'Rourke joint venture and the delivery partner for the tunnel's central section. As part of the deal, AECOM will deliver design services for the 12km section of tunnel from Carnwath Road in Fulham to Chambers Wharf in Bermondsey, the largest section 'Radical rethink' needed on flood defence ' Greater responsibility for water companies for flood defence are among steps sought. Whilst the Environment Agency may argue that now is not the time to break it up, since investment is urgent, in practice this is spurious," he added. "Now is precisely the time, and if it is urgent then the water companies have the capability and scale – as well as access to borrowing and • nancial markets – which the EA patently does not, and arguably never will." Utilities are able to borrow against their assets, as long as the debt and equity liabilities do not exceed the asset values, because they have a regulated asset base, which guarantees a revenue stream to reimburse them. However, the paper said, for "somewhat obscure reasons", ood defence was split from the water authorities and placed in a public sector agency, the EA (formerly the National Rivers Authority), following a "botched • rst attempt" at water privatisation in the late 1980s. "The result," he said, "has been that the ood defence costs of a river catchment are – unlike the water and sewerage costs of the river catchments – not socialised into regular utility bills. "In retrospect, this was probably a mistake – splitting out dimensions of the river catchment system management reduced coordination incentives." Helm was recently reappointed as the chair of the Natural Capital Committee to oversee the development of the 25-year environment plan to improve England's natural capital. WET News is registered at Stationers' Hall. Origination by Faversham House and TR Clash Ltd. Printed by Buxton Press, Palace Road, Buxton, Derbyshire, SK17 6AE. Copyright 2016. Faversham House. No part of this publication may be reproduced without prior written permission from the publishers. Every eŒ ort is made to ensure the accuracy of material published in WET News. However, Faversham House will not be liable for any inaccuracies. The views expressed by contributors are not necessarily those of the editor or publishers. Text paper is printed on PEFC accredited paper. For more info see www.PEFC.org. License number PEFC/16-33-141. Technical articles of full page, or more appearing in this journal are indexed by British Technical Index. Editor Maureen Gaines: maureengaines@fav-house.com Ad sales Deborah Lilley: deborahlilley@fav-house.com Classifi ed sales Danielle Mason: daniellemason@fav-house.com Team administrator Clare Klos: clareklos @fav-house.com Production controller Sharon Miller: sharonmiller@fav-house.com Publisher Angela Himus: angelahimus@fav-house.com Published by Faversham House Ltd, Faversham House, Windsor Court, Wood Street, East Grinstead, West Sussex, RH19 1UZ Call: 01342 332000 Publisher's note: This issue includes editorial photographs provided and paid for by suppliers. 1yr: UK £109 Overseas (airmail) £123/$185 2yr: UK £191 Overseas (airmail) £219/$329 Call: 020 8955 7045 Email: fhcustomerservices@ abacusemedia.com Search WET News' archives for more jobs, news, features, products and services, events and training courses. wwtonline.co.uk Average circulation Jan-Dec 2014: 6,110 If you wish to make a complaint about the editorial content of this issue please contact the editor. AECOM goes with the FLO on Tideway scheme AECOM is to deliver design services for the 12km section of tunnel Astronaut Scott Kelly celebrates his 300th day in space with a fun game of microgravity water ping pong @Galaxy_Monitor As Britain's spaceman, Major Tim Peake, enjoys life on the ISS here are some galactic water Tweets. PUMP HIRE & SALES SERVICE & REPAIRS DE- WATERING MONITORING & CONTROL OVER PUMPING PUMP STATIONS Option 1 PUMP HIRE & SALES SERVICE & REPAIRS DE- WATERING MONITORING & CONTROL OVER PUMPING PUMP STATIONS Option 1b Astronauts r water saving experts! They use the same amount of #water in 1 day as we do with a single flush of the loo. @SouthernWater #NASA Scientist have now con¦ rmed the world is running out of #water @NeonNettle I already miss my shower at home but this [Space Shower] gets the job done. @astro_timpeake ...hope much needed transfer of water is not considered geo engineering? @raywsestcats1 NEED TO KNOW Fourteen local strategies feature in Scotland's ¦ rst plan, just launched by the Scottish government, to protect against future flood risk EA chairman Philip Dilley stepped down last month from his post following heavy criticism for being on holiday during the recent flooding The UK government is investing £2.3bn over the next six years to protect 300,000 houses nationwide Utilities can borrow against their assets Astronaut Scott Kelly Hope I don't get another systems failure in the milking parlour #NASA scientists working overnight on water problem @eric081290021 on the route. The hub for tunnelling activity will focus around the Kirtling Street shaœ in Battersea, where both the east and west tunnelling machines will be launched. The complex central section of the tunnel will pass through a variety of diž erent ground conditions, including London Clay, Lambeth Group, Thanet Sands and Chalk. It will be built under London's existing underground infrastructure, near tube lines and utilities.

• Cover