Today’s Queen’s Speech, which covers the last Parliamentary session before the general election in 2015, contains a number of key measures with the potential for significant impact on the water sector.
Most of the measures are included in the Governmernt’s proposals for a new Infrastructure Bill – described as “a Bill to bolster investment in infrastructure and reform planning law to improve economic competitiveness (which) will enhance the United Kingdom’s energy independence and security by opening up access to shale and geothermal sites..”
Subject to consultation, the Bill is intended to support the development of gas and oil from shale and geothermal energy by clarifying and streamlining the underground access regime. The government is currently running a full consultation on this policy - the legislation is therefore entirely dependent on the outcome.
Fracking continues to be a source of ongoing debate, with opponents strongly opposed on a number of issues, including the potential for the process to have an adverse impact on water resources.
Sir Ian Wood’s independent report on the topic estimates that full and rapid implementation will deliver at least 3 to 4 billion barrels of oil equivalent more than would otherwise be recovered over the next 20 years, bringing over £200 billion additional value to the UK economy. The government accepted Wood’s recommendations in full in February 2014.
The Infrastructure Bill also addresses the current planning regime for Nationally Significant Infrastructure Projects – the Bill would simplify the process for making changes to Development Consent Orders (DCO) by speeding up non-material changes to a DCO, and allowing simplified processes for material changes. It would also allow the Examining Authority to be appointed immediately after an application has been accepted and for the panel to comprise two inspectors, speeding up the process and saving money.
Other measures address invasive non-native alien species - the Bill would allow for Species Control Orders to control the invasive, non-native species that pose serious threats to biodiversity, the water environment and infrastructure.
The government will also introduce a levy, making power so that the costs of funding a larger, better resourced regulator can be paid for by industry rather than by the taxpayer as is currently the case.
Enpure Ltd and Clean TeQ Water Ltd have announced a collaboration agreement to bring Clean TeQ Water's Moving Bed Ion Exchange-based nutrient removal technologies to water utilities across the UK.
Near-real-time microbial monitoring of wastewater discharge and bathing waters is now possible thanks to the BactoSense ID solution created by Swiss-based bNovate Technologies.
ABB has launched AquaMaster+™, a digital platform for smart water network management, designed to help water utilities monitor, analyze and manage their water networks, preventing pipeline water losses and optimizing operations.
Craig Nienaber, Business Development Manager for Safe Access Solutions (SAS) at HUBER Technology, explores why the company is seeing a growing level of interest in its safe access solutions for critical infrastructure providers, including their application in wastewater treatment assets.
Southern Water has released film and images showing what it’s like to walk inside Hampshire’s expanded Yew Hill underground reservoir for the very last time, before it gets filled with water.
Hear how Scottish Water has completed its £235 million Ayrshire Glasgow Resilience Project - customers across Greater Glasgow, Ayrshire and East Renfrewshire will now benefit from a more secure and resilient water supply.
Hear how United Utilities is accelerating its investment to reduce spills from storm overflows across the Northwest.