A new research paper published by the World Bank suggests that consumers in China would be willing to pay up to 3% of their annual income continuously over a five year period to improve water quality. It could also provide some useful pointers on issues the water companies will need to address in the stakeholder engagement Ofwat now wants them to undertake in the upcoming AMP6 business planning process.

Green Cross International, the environmental NGO founded by Mikhail Gorbachev, is calling for all Governments to ratify the global watercourse convention to help address the world’s worsening water crisis and avert future catastrophes.

The UN is warning that the current failure to invest in water services and to collect, treat and re-use water efficiently, is exacerbating water shortages in many parts of the world and contributing to a situation where global demand for water could outstrip supply within 20 years.

International law firm Eversheds is warning that the proposals to charge utility companies who undertake streetworks at peak times could lead to higher water bills.

World Water Week has opened in Stockholm with a keynote debate on the 2011 theme, "Responding to Global Changes - Water in an Urbanising World".

Transport Secretary Philip Hammond is due to announce that councils may be allowed to charge utilities to dig up roads at peak traffic times in an effort to reduce traffic congestion.