The regulatory regime for the water industry has played a major role in securing service and environmental improvements and increased efficiency.
However, following on from a recent CIWEM conference where 87 percent of delegates supported a comprehensive review of the financial regulation of water, a presentation at Water & Environment 2010: CIWEM’s Annual Conference will address how the framework needs to develop to respond to the new challenges facing the industry, in particular to encourage long-term sustainable solutions and meet the challenge of climate change.
There are a number of limitations of the current economic regulation framework:
It can encourage short-term efficiency savings at the potential cost of ensuring that infrastructure is maintained to meet future requirements
Focus on the short term has led to a lack of appreciation of the potential financial and carbon impacts of the continuing increase in quality standards
It provides incentives for meeting specific targets and carrying out defined activities, rather than providing best overall outcomes to customers and the environment
The price-setting process has previously led to over-estimation of costs by some companies in preparing business plans, which are then subject to cut-backs by the regulator with the risk of the regulator getting it wrong
The regulatory framework can result in an excessive regulatory burden in terms of the amount of information required
Frank Grimshaw and Min Bansel from Severn Trent Water will look at how to improve the framework to ensure that the right outcomes are achieved for customers and the environment, including incentive mechanisms to promote service improvement and sustainable solutions, and to encourage production of robust business plans. They will also review innovations for PR09, including the new Capital Expenditure Incentive Scheme, carbon accounting and the widespread use of cost-benefit analysis. For more information, go to http://www.ciwem.org/events/annual_conference.
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Two of NOV Mono’s revolutionary 
UK market leader in natural wastewater treatment solutions, ARM, has launched a series of nitrification technologies in time for the AMP5 period.
Water quality engineer Panton McLeod has celebrated another milestone in the Scottish water sector after revisiting the scene of its first-ever robotic cleaning project.
Cybit, the UK’s leading online Telematics Service Provider, has announced a new Fleetstar implementation for Volvo Construction Equipment Division, Volvo Group UK Ltd – a wholly owned dealership of the global construction equipment manufacturer.
GPS PE Pipe System’s award winning Protecta-Line barrier pipe system has been extended with a unique saddle ferrule.
Bradney Chain has further developed its range of Grade 50 Stainless Steel Pump lifting chains with master links.
The newly expanded Manhole Buddy manhole lifter range now provides three alternative solutions for single person cover lifting, all interchangeable on the same multi-function, lifting trolley.
