“The lessons learnt from the construction of the Thames Tideway Tunnel can usefully be applied to other construction projects in the water sector, but with caution where anything other than exceptionally large projects are concerned.” The Company has responded to the Ofwat July 2026 Consultation on draft guidance for water…...
Accelerating major wastewater infrastructure projects
Major wastewater infrastructure projects should be brought within the scope of the present system for accelerating the development of clean water projects, but with safeguards, the Worshipful Company of Water Conservators has said in response to the Ofwat July 2026 Consultation: the future of RAPID. The Company advocates the disciplined…...
Water companies must manage their physical assets more cleverly
The Water Conservators have responded to the Ofwat June 2026 Consultation under sections 13 and 12A of the Water Industry Act 1991 on proposed licence modifications to introduce asset management competence for all water companies This is a summary of our response. Britain’s water companies are inconsistent in the way…...
New penalties for breaches of permits by water companies
Past Master Peter Matthews reports that the Worshipful Company of Water Conservators has responded to the Defra consultation on new penalties for breaches of permits by water companies. The Company restricted most of its comments to technical and management implications in a broader context. The new dynamism on breaches must…...
Report of the Independent Water Commission chaired by Sir Jon Cunliffe
The Report from the Independent Water Commission, chaired by Sir Jon Cunliffe, has been publised and is available at: https://www.gov.uk/government/news/roadmap-to-rebuild-trust-in-water-sector-unveiled-in-major-new-report The Worshipful Company of Water Conservators contributed to the work of the Commission. The full report is available here: Independent Water Commission final report The Government response is available here:…...
Influencing the Restoration of Welsh Rivers
The Welsh Government has acknowledged and responded to a series of ambitions in a report to help restore the health of Welsh rivers. The top five priorities put forward were: Reducing Intensive Agriculture Runoff Strengthening Enforcement of Environmental Regulations Implementing Nature-Based Solutions (Wetlands and Riparian buffer zones) Adopting a Catchment…...
Planning changes
The Ministry of Housing, Communities And Government (MHCIG) has proposed changes to the Planning Framework and has invited responses. https://www.gov.uk/government/consultations/proposed-reforms-to-the-national-planning-policy-framework-and-other-changes-to-the-planning-system/proposed-reforms-to-the-national-planning-policy-framework-and-other-changes-to-the-planning-system The Company responded on 24 September 2024 and the full submission can be found in the submissions page of our website In our response we stated: We are concerned that…...
