Ofwat has responded to Defra’s Improving Surface Water Drainage consultation as part of the Government’s water strategy, Future Water.

Ofwat has published the second part of its review of competition in the water and sewerage sectors. Ofwat is recommending that contestable water and sewerage markets are opened to competition where it will benefit consumers.

The Water Industry Commission for Scotland (WICS) has welcomed Ofwat’s announcement that it will be recommending the phased opening up to competition of contestable water and sewerage markets.

The House of Lords European Union Committee is  conducting a short inquiry into the European Commission’s proposed draft Directive (published on January 23) for revisions intended to improve and extend to the EU’s Emissions Trading System (ETS).

Ofwat has set out how customers will be charged for 2008-09. The average increase in prices for 2008-09 is 5.8%, which includes inflation of 4.3%.

Ofwat has published detailed practical assistance guidelines for the water and wastewater companies on dealing with customers affected by sewer flooding.

The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) is warning plant hire companies to ensure their vehicles are supplied in a safe condition after a Treharris company were prosecuted for hiring out an excavator without suitable rollover protection, and for failing to carry out pre- and post-hire checks on equipment and hirers.