Utility Week

6 | 23rd - 29th September 2016 | UtILItY WeeK People & Opinion Time to scrub out use of microbeads Water companies will be at the heart of efforts to help reduce pollution from microplastics. Chief executive's view Michael Roberts, Water UK T he environment secretary Andrea Leadsom recently announced plans to ban microbeads in cosmetic and cleaning products in the UK by 2017. This followed a report by the Environmental Audit Com- mittee (EAC) highlighting the damaging impact they can have on the marine environment. Although some cosmetic com- panies have previously made voluntary commitments to phase out the use of microbeads by 2020, we're pleased to see the government taking a decisive lead on an issue of such environ- mental importance. These tiny plastic beads are found in a variety of products, from shower gels to toothpaste. If you're using these products, you might not even notice the plastics inside them as some are less than a millimetre wide. They are so small that they can oƒen travel into the sea aƒer passing through filters at water treatment works. The Environmental Audit Committee's report last month recommended that microplastics should be monitored and tackled at source. The Committee clearly took on board our evidence that separating the plastics from organic content in wastewater would require significant levels of further investment into additional filtration systems. According to this report, an estimated 680 tonnes of plastic microbeads are used in the UK every year. A single shower can result in 100,000 plastic parti- cles entering the sewage sys- tem. Many consumers would be extremely unhappy to learn of the damaging impact that the products they are using have on the marine environment. Microbeads are made of non- biodegradable plastic, so do not break down in water, leading to a build-up in oceans around the world. Evidence has shown that marine life at the bottom of the food chain, such as mussels and shrimps, are ingesting the plastic. This research suggests that this has wider implications across the food chain. The environment remains a key area of importance for UK water companies, and Water UK has been a strong supporter and partner of the Marine Conserva- tion Society's 'scrub it out' cam- paign, which has pushed for a microplastics ban of this kind. Returning clean water to the environment is at the heart of what water companies do and they will continue to work hard to maintain the quality of the nation's waters. The EAC report made the recommendation that the industry should continue to engage with the government and Environment Agency and we look forward to doing so to help reduce microplastics pollution. "We're delighted SSE will be working with us to support the women's game in this country, and I'm sure this new investment will help us to continue to grow the game, and break new ground." Scotland national coach Anna Signeul on SSE becoming the first major sponsor of women's football in Scotland. See p22 for more in our review of the Utility Week HR Forum South West Water names new CCG chair South West Water has appointed Nick buckland as independent chair of its new Customer Challenge Group (CCG). the group was set up to assist and challenge the water company during the three-year development of its 2020-25 business plan. buckland, who lives in Cornwall, is an experienced chair and non-executive director in the private, public and voluntary sectors, following a successful career in industry. he is chair of governors at University technical College plymouth, former chair of governors at plymouth University and a member of the devon and Cornwall business Council. Speaking about his appointment, buckland said: "I'm delighted to be appointed to this important role and look forward to representing the interests of South West Water and bournemouth Water customers." ExECutivE appointmEnt

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