The Consumer Council for Water (CCWater) is urging households across England and Wales to join the battle to reduce the tens of thousands of blockages clogging up our drains and sewers.
A dismantled greenhouse, space hopper and hand grenade were just a few of the strange finds discovered in the UK’s sewers, as water companies spent about £50 million clearing over 200,000 blockages in 2014/15 caused by inappropriate items put down the loo and sink.
However, CCWater said none of these came close to matching the problems caused by the thousands of wet wipes flushed down the loo or the greasy fats and oils poured down the sink.
According to CCWater research, a growing number of consumers (64% in 2014 compared to 43% in 2013) can identify what items should not be flushed down the loo. However, wet and so called ‘flushable’ wipes still accounted for up to a third of sewer blockages in some parts of England and Wales – with customers ultimately footing the bill.
Table:Figures based on estimates provided by the companies
Albion Water, the first NAV (New Appointment & Variation) to have been established in1999 and now under the ownership of SDS Water Group, has appointed Andy Holland as its new Director of Business Development.
UK water companies are invited to join an upcoming webinar which will explore how the sector can take indirect potable reuse (IPR) from concept to full-scale operational reality.
James Sumsion, CEO of predictive water intelligence specialists Kohtari, says the water sector needs to take a giant leap forward, so that it can anticipate and act upon water quality issues - rather than merely react.
Ray Moulds, Sales Director at Flood Control International, takes a look at how automated sliding floodgates are supporting secondary containment at water and sewerage company sites.
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.
Find out more about the remarkable career opportunities on offer at WSP - scroll down to watch the inspirational video.