CIWEM E-News - April 2003

Dear Subscribers,

This is the CIWEM e-newsletter - a free electronic version of the Newsletter which is distributed to all those interested in CIWEM's work. The service is administered through CIWEM's web site www.ciwem.com where there is a top menu button for NEWSLETTER.

This email is being delivered to around 2000 subscribers in more than 30 countries worldwide.

The following issues are covered in this edition of the newsletter:

1. CIWEM Awards Presented
2. CIWEM Code of Ethics Policy Position Statement on Web Site
3. CIWEM Young Members' Study Tour
4. CIWEM Environmental Mitigation Conference
5. 2003 CIWEM Presidential Conference
6. National Events
7. Society for the Environment
8. CIWEM Develops AgriPEM Course
9. From the Education, Training & Professional Development Department
10. Symposium for European Freshwater Sciences
11. ICE/CIWEM Water Environment Conference
12. Leachate Treatment at Marston Vale - Site Visit
13. Consultations
14. Editorial - Specialists in Land Condition
15. Join CIWEM

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1. CIWEM Awards Recognise Excellence and Innovation in the Environment Sector, Talented Young Members

The Foundation for Water Research has been announced as the 2003 winner of the CIWEM Chris Binnie Award for Sustainable Water Management and Adams Ricardo Ltd as the winner of the CIWEM Ken Roberts Award for Technical Innovation in the Water Industry. These prestigious Awards were presented by Jonathon Porritt, Director of Forum for the Future and Chairman of the Sustainable Development Commission, at the CIWEM Annual Dinner at Draper's Hall in London on 2nd April.

The Foundation for Water Research (FWR) won the Chris Binnie Award for the Urban Pollution Management (UPM) Research Programme and Manual, a major industry-wide initiative to manage urban storm sewage discharges, which it managed. FWR accepted the Award on behalf of all the parties who contributed to the programme, including the environmental and financial regulators, the wastewater utilities and numerous research contractors and academic researchers.

The UPM approach was founded upon the need to consider the wastewater system in a holistic manner, and the objective of the UPM programme was to ensure that improvements to the urban drainage system meet the environmental standards that relate directly to the health and potential beneficial uses of the receiving water. The resulting UPM Manual, first published in 1994 and updated in 1998 (UPM2), has played a crucial role in the combined sewer overflow (CSO) improvement programme currently being undertaken by the water industry.

The Ken Roberts Award for Technical Innovation in the Water Industry was won by Adams Ricardo Ltd for their development of blowers for submerged use. The development of positive displacement blowers to operate submerged for the treatment of wastewater represents a major advance in blower technology and a significant practical innovation in the water industry. Their models are already in use or in trials with five wastewater treatment authorities in the UK.

The benefits of submerged blowers include lower energy consumption, reduced noise, reduced maintenance and, within the scope of a wastewater installation, an overall reduction in capital cost. The technology also has applications outside the water industry, such as the aeration of stagnant water to increase oxygen levels for wildlife, and Adams Ricardo has already completed a successful project of this type in Berlin.

Gareth Briggs of CIWEM's Northern Ireland Branch was announced as the winner of the CIWEM Young Members' Award 2003. The Young Members' Award was established in 2001 to recognise the talents of young authors within CIWEM's membership and is generously sponsored by Babtie Group. Nominations for the Award are invited from CIWEM's Branches and Special Interest Groups, which hold annual young authors competitions. Winners of these competitions are judged nationally and an overall winning paper selected.

The winning paper by Gareth Briggs, Lough Mourne and Letterkenny Water Supply Scheme: The Development of Hydrological Models to Assess Reservoir Storage Yield Relationships, summarises the development of a reservoir simulation model to determine the level of storage that is required at a particular reservoir resource in order to provide a stated yield. The paper is set in the context of the Lough Mourne and Letterkenny Water Supply Scheme and in particular the proposed development of the Lough Mourne reservoir resource in East Donegal.

Congratulations also go to the 2002 CIWEM Certificate & Diploma Top Student Award Winners, who were also presented with their award certificates and cheques at the CIWEM Dinner. Hearty pats on the back to Louisa Brown, Patric Bulmer, Graham Cleverly, David Dickson, Mike Harrison, Rex Lewis, John Madden, Natalie Mead, David Parkinson, Jo Renfrew, Jon Swan, Rachel Throup, and Emily Westall.

Many thanks to the corporate sponsors ABP Mer, Aqua Enviro Technology Transfer, Atkins Global, Biffa Waste Services, Black & Veatch, Environment Agency, Halcrow, Met Office, MWH Global, Severn Trent, The Waterways Trust, United Utilities, Wessex Water.

The new RSPB/CIWEM Living Wetlands Award was also presented at the Dinner, to the Swale and Ure Washlands Project. The winner had previously been announced at the World Wetlands Day conference in February 2003.

For more details on CIWEM awards visit http://www.ciwem.com/awards/index.asp and http://www.ciwem.com/education/certificate/awards.asp

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2. CIWEM Code of Ethics on the Web!

The Code of Ethics is an aspirational set of ten principles with which CIWEM members must comply. Its purpose is to guide professional environmentalists as they strive to achieve even higher standards of environmental stewardship and sustainability.

Background

The initiative began with CIWEM's contribution to the World Water Vision, but was broadened to include all aspects of the environment. A tremendous amount of effort went into producing the Code of Ethics and many national agencies were consulted. The Code of Ethics was approved by the Council of CIWEM at its meeting on 6th April 2001.

The Code of Ethics represents a major initiative from CIWEM at a time when many people are worried about doing the right thing to balance the needs of a healthy, thriving and content society with those of a flourishing natural environment, and when experts have to demonstrate that they are worthy of public trust.

Publication of CIWEM's Code of Ethics coincided with a consultation on 'Guidelines for Environmental Reporting', conducted by the Department of the Environment, Transport and the Regions (DETR). The final Guidelines urge organisations to establish environmental policies and targets and to report on their environmental performance annually.

At the time of publication of the Code of Ethics, several environmental institutions were discussing the creation of a single umbrella body for the environment, which could inherit the role of guardian of individual ethical behaviour. This body, Society for the Environment (SocEnv), was launched in October 2002.

Similar Codes have been adopted by the European Water Association and a number of other national organisations belonging to the European Water Association.

Code of Ethics

Members of the Institution will be expected to use their influence to the fullest extent and to behave to the best of their ability to maintain a sustainable environment in the following way:

• Ensure that the uses of natural resources are fair, equitable and sustainable and take account of the needs of a diverse environment.
• Never knowingly or deliberately over-exploit natural resources.
• Never knowingly or deliberately cause the environment to be damaged or nuisance to be created by the discharge of unacceptable quantities of any substance or energy in any form.
• Recognize that in contributing to the provision of environmental services they provide an important contribution to human well being.
• Ensure that the uses of the environment do it no harm or to the native wildlife within it and wherever possible enhance it.
• Embrace the needs of the community.
• Promote the concepts of integration of the management of the wider environment.
• Use their wisdom in serving the community and constantly strive to learn more.
• Serve as an example to others for responsible environmental behaviour.
• Never engage in corrupt practice and maintain a high standard of professional behaviour that will serve as an example to others.

References

Department for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (2001) Environmental Reporting - General Guidelines

This PPS can be found at: http://www.ciwem.com/policy/policies/code/index.asp

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3. CIWEM Young Members' Study Tour

15th-19th September 2003

This year the Young Members Study Tour will be based at the University of Southampton. The Central Southern Branch is hosting the study tour, and has organised an exciting programme that includes a variety of tours, site visits and lectures. Below are just a few of the visits and lectures to be included in the itinerary:

· Tywford Pumping Station - Itchen
· New Forest -Landcare, National Park Issues and Countryside Management
· Isle of Wight - Coastal Erosion
· Budds Farm - Sewage Treatment Works, Southern Water

For further information please contact Sarah Hickinson at Aqua Enviro, Email: sarahhickinson@aquaenviro.co.uk

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4. CIWEM Conference on Environmental Mitigation

CIWEM will be running an event on environmental mitigation on 20th November 2003, at the School of Oriental and African Studies, London.

This important meeting will bring together policy makers, practitioners, regulators and other interested parties to discuss increasingly employed techniques of environmental mitigation, in a constructive forum. Experts will share their experience and knowledge of current projects, identify issues for action and target ways to take mitigation techniques and practice forward. The day will also provide ample opportunity for delegates to network.

Further details can be obtained from Bob Earll of CMS: Phone/Fax 01531 890145, Email: bobearll@coastms.co.uk

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5. 2003 CIWEM Presidential Conference

The 2003 CIWEM Presidential Conference, 'Transport and the Environment - Green to Go' will be held on 26th June at the Institution of Mechanical Engineers, Birdcage Walk, London.

The purpose of the conference is to assess and understand the science which underpins decisions on transport policy and provision; to consider the benefits and disadvantages which arise from initiatives to 'green' the transport infrastructure; to present current thinking and research on transport systems and the environmental imperative that drives it.

For a downloadable brochure, please see http://www.ciwem.com/events/presidential.pdf

For further information please contact Sarah Hickinson, Email: sarahhickinson@aquaenviro.co.uk

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6. National Events

CIWEM has a range of national events in coming months. Details of these are below, and can also be seen on the CIWEM website at: http://www.ciwem.com/events/index.asp

13th May 2003
Foaming and Bulking of Activated Sludge in the UK - Problems and Solutions
The Cedar Court Hotel, Wakefield
For further information contact Sarah Hickinson of Aqua Enviro sarahhickinson@aquaenviro.co.uk

14th May 2003
Experiences and Applications of Membrane Bioreactors in the Treatment of Domestic and Industrial Wastewaters
The Cedar Court Hotel, Wakefield
For further information contact Sarah Hickinson of Aqua Enviro sarahhickinson@aquaenviro.co.uk

15th May 2003
Beaches and Bathing Waters -
Implications for the Revision to the Bathing Water Directive
SOAS, London
For further information contact Bob Earll of CMS bob.earll@coastms.co.uk

12th June 2003
Air Quality and Industry - Future Challenges
The Hilton, Northampton
For further information contact Sarah Hickinson of Aqua Enviro sarahhickinson@aquaenviro.co.uk

17th and 18th June 2003
European Flood Conference 2003 - Managing the Risks
Thames Barrier Conference Centre, London
For further information contact Bob Earll of CMS bob.earll@coastms.co.uk

26th June 2003
The CIWEM Presidential Conference 2003 - Transport and the Environment - Green to Go
1 Birdcage Walk, London
For further information contact Sarah Hickinson of Aqua Enviro sarahhickinson@aquaenviro.co.uk

1st July 2003
Getting the most from your Membranes
Weetwood Hall, Leeds
For further information contact Sarah Hickinson of Aqua Enviro sarahhickinson@aquaenviro.co.uk

10th-12th September 2003
CIWEM National Conference. The Environment - Vision, Values and Innovation
Harrogate International Centre
For further information contact Sarah Hickinson of Aqua Enviro sarahhickinson@aquaenviro.co.uk

12th November 2003
Water Framework Directive Conference
SOAS, London
For further information contact Bob Earll of CMS bob.earll@coastms.co.uk

23rd - 26th November 2003
8th Aqua Enviro/CIWEM European Biosolids and Organic Residuals Conference, Workshop and Exhibition
The Cedar Court Hotel, Wakefield
For further information contact Sarah Hickinson of Aqua Enviro
sarahhickinson@aquaenviro.co.uk

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7. Society for the Environment

The Society for the Environment (SocEnv), the new umbrella body for the environment professions which was formally launched by Environment Agency Chief Executive, Baroness Young, last October, will soon be submitting its Petition for a Royal Charter.

If granted the Charter will enable the Society to begin awarding the qualification, 'Chartered Environmentalist' (CEnv) to members of the Constituent Bodies, of which CIWEM is one.

The Society became a Company Limited by Guarantee in March. CIWEM Council Member, Prof Peter Matthews and CIWEM Executive Director, Nick Reeves, represent the Institution on the SocEnv Board which will meet for the first time - under its newly acquired status - in April. Each Constituent Body has two representatives on the Board and the first meeting of the Board will establish a Shadow Registration Authority (SRA) and a Management Committee (MC). The SRA will take responsibility for managing the process of registering Chartered Environmentalists and professional standards while the MC will be responsible for developing the Business Plan and day to day activities of the Society. The Board will be responsible for policy development and overseeing delivery of strategic objectives.

CIWEM Executive Director, Nick Reeves, said, "In submitting its Petition to the Privy Council for a Royal Charter the Society has achieved an important goal. All being well we anticipate that the first Chartered Environmentalists will be registered in January 2004. All members of CIWEM will be contacted in due course about how they can become Chartered. Representatives of the ten constituent bodies have worked extremely hard to reach agreement on what is a new chapter in the development of the environment profession".

Further information about SocEnv is available through a link on the CIWEM website http://www.ciwem.com/about/docs/SocEnv%20-%20About.doc In the meantime follow the Society's progress through future editions of E-News and CIWEM News.

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8. CIWEM Develops Agripem Course

Breaking New Ground

Building on the success of Practical Environmental Management for Business (PEM), CIWEM has joined forces with Walford and North Shropshire College (WNSC), to develop an agricultural variant.

As part of this outreach into the agricultural sector, CIWEM and WNSC, advised by the Environment Agency and Severn Trent Water, have developed a cost effective and agriculturally focussed programme. It is designed to help farm owners/tenants/managers and smallholders to change the way in which their enterprise interacts with the environment.

On the 26th March, nine students successfully completed the first AgriPEM course having undertaken an examination and portfolio review. The award ceremony will be held on 15th May at WNSC where the graduates will be presented with their CIWEM Training Awards and will thereafter be eligible to apply for CIWEM Environmental Partner membership.

WNSC have established links with an extensive number of colleges throughout the UK offering agricultural training, a number of which are planning to offer AgriPEM in their portfolio for the next
academic year.

Business Benefits

More confidence, cost savings, legal compliance, environmental sustainability and increased workforce involvement have been demonstrated by programme delegates. Because it can contribute to regional, national and European targets for environmental improvement many of the programmes that are run are subsidised by the relevant funding bodies in these areas.

Participation in the programme gives delegates a greater understanding of corporate environmental responsibility and results in an action plan to minimise their business's impacts on the environment. Many delegates have inherited environmental responsibility due to either seniority or systems responsibility. Establishing them as 'Environmental Champion' within their organisation is a key objective, as they will need to take on the role of co-ordination and liaison with all of their colleagues/stakeholders to achieve optimal results.

A Practical Skills Base, Tailored to Business Requirements

The aim of the programme is to provide delegates with practical training. It consists of seven contact training sessions and in addition a site visit by a consultant to the delegates' premises. This visit pinpoints cost saving opportunities and possible areas of concern for the regulator, which might lead to prosecution if not resolved satisfactorily. These sessions, as far as is possible, are arranged conveniently for the delegate to avoid extra work pressures building up.

The key structure is based on a nationally recognised and accredited certification scheme that emphasises the cycle of Policy, Plan, Implement, Check, Review and Improve. This is particularly helpful in enabling delegates to implement an Environmental Management System within their own organisation. The programme methodology emphatically links training to workplace activity and links global environmental issues to workplace activity i.e. climate change to carbon emission to electricity bills.

Encouraging Dialogue

Another major strengths of the programme highlighted by delegates is the dialogue with specialist speakers with 'sharp end' experience, especially 'the regulators'. Discussing key themes and issues with them in a non-confrontational setting helps to ensure compliance with current legislation and good environmental practice.

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9. From the Education, Training & Professional Review Department:

POST-GRADUATE PROGRAMMES IN WATER AND ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT

Certificate and Diploma modules delivered on full-time, part-time, distance, block release and corporate tutorial basis at universities across the UK.

For more information go to http://www.ciwem.com/education/certificate/index.asp

PREPARING FOR THE PROFESSIONAL REVIEW? MAKE SURE YOU REGISTER FOR THE PREP WORKSHOP!

Guidance on mandatory competencies, SARTOR 3, the Career Report, Expertise Classification, interview tips and specific time for advice on individual issues.

Next workshop with space still available: 23 September.

For more details see: http://www.ciwem.com/education/wets/index.asp or email Rachel Bulkley at: rachel@ciwem.org.uk

MENTORS NEEDED! REGISTER NOW FOR THE "HOW TO BE A CIWEM MENTOR" WORKSHOP!

Training and guidance on all issues related to mentoring new CIWEM membership applicants.

Next workshop with spaces still available: 21 May.

For more details go to: http://www.ciwem.com/education/wets/course2.asp or email Rachel Bulkley at: rachel@ciwem.org.uk

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10. Symposium for European Freshwater Sciences

Symposium for European Freshwater Sciences (SEFS3)

University of Edinburgh, UK
13-18 July 2003

The Third Symposium for European Freshwater Sciences (SEFS3), will be hosted by the Freshwater Biological Association (FBA) in the historical city of Edinburgh, Scotland, from 13-17 July 2003, with an excursion on 18 July. The symposium is being co-ordinated by the FBA, in collaboration with other European freshwater and limnological Associations. The official language of SEFS is English.

Abstract deadline 14 March 2003
Registration deadline 12 May 2003

If you would like to receive a copy of the Second Circular, please contact:
Freshwater Biological Association, SEFS Office, The Ferry House,
Far Sawrey, Ambleside, Cumbria, LA22 0LP, U.K.
Tel: +44 (0) 15394 42468
Fax: +44 (0) 15394 88541
Email: sefs3@fba.org.uk
Web: www.fba.org.uk

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11. ICE / CIWEM Water Enviroment Conference

Title: Risk and Reward in Asset Management Delivery - who is best prepared for the challenges ahead?
Date: 14 November 2003
Venue: One Great George St, Westminster, SW1P 3AA
Info: A Water Environment conference jointly organised by the Institution of Civil Engineers and CIWEM
Call for papers deadline = 30 May 2003
Contact: Sue Frye, ICE Conferences
Tel: +44 (0) 20 7665 2315
E-mail: sue.frye@ice.org.uk

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12. CIWEM Branch Event: Leachate Treatment at Martson Vale - A Shanks Waste Solution

Branch Presentation and Site Visit. 3rd June at 1pm. Cranfield University.
Contact Nathan Richardson for details (nathan.richardson@atkinsglobal.com)
Site visit limited to 25 people.

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13. Consultations

CIWEM is working on responses to a number of public consultations, listed below. Should you wish to put forward any comments in relation to any of the consultations listed, please do not hesitate to contact either Helen Wilson or Alastair Chisholm as appropriate. Email contact details are provided below.

DEFRA
Protocol for restrictions on public rights of way and access to open country, in the event of an outbreak of Foot and Mouth or similar animal diseases
http://www.defra.gov.uk/corporate/consult/rowfmd/index.htm
Contact helen@ciwem.com by 30/04/03

DEFRA
Waste management Licensing: Waste Management Paper No. 4: Consultation on revised guidance
http://www.defra.gov.uk/corporate/consult/wasteman/index.htm
Contact alastair@ciwem.com by 26/05/03

Environment Agency
Monitoring of particulate matter in ambient air around waste facilities
http://www.environment-agency.gov.uk/yourenv/
consultations/441731/?version=1&lang=_e
Contact helen@ciwem.com by 07/05/03

Environment Agency
Guidance on Landfill Completion
http://www.environment-agency.gov.uk/yourenv/
consultations/456258/?version=1&lang=_e
Contact alastair@ciwem.com by 26/05/03

Northern Ireland Regional Development Department
The Reform of Water & Sewerage Services in Northern Ireland
http://www.waterreformni.gov.uk/pdf%27s/consult_layout_full.pdf
Contact helen@ciwem.com by 30/04/03

OFWAT
A Code of Practice Governing the Discharge of OFWAT's Functions
http://www.ofwat.gov.uk/aptrix/ofwat/publish.nsf/
AttachmentsByTitle/cop_310303.pdf/$FILE/cop_310303.pdf
Contact alastair@ciwem.com by 02/06/03

Royal Commission on Environmental Pollution
Study on the Environmental Effects of Marine Fisheries
http://www.rcep.org.uk/fisheries.html
Contact helen@ciwem.com by 30/04/03

Scottish Executive
Scottish Planning Policy SPP7: Planning and Flooding: Consultation Draft
http://www.scotland.gov.uk/consultations/planning/spp7-00.asp
Contact alastair@ciwem.com by 02/06/03

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14. Editorial - Specialists in Land Condition (SiLC)

From time to time in this section we will profile forums, committees, initiatives and bodies with which CIWEM is involved. This time round we feature a little bit about Specialists in Land Condition (SiLC). SiLC was established in order to provide a process for the accreditation of experts in contaminated and brownfield land, who are then authorised to complete and certify Land Condition Records (records of the chemical and physical nature of contamination at a site in an approved, structured format).

The use of a SiLC will give optimum credibility to the information included in the land condition record. Candidates will require at least 8-10 years' experience, and will have to pass an examination and interview. All relevant professional bodies have been invited to participate on the SiLC Professional Technical Panel. Those currently involved include the Association of Geotechnical Specialists, The Chartered Institution of Water and Environmental Management, The Institution of Civil Engineers, The Institute of Environmental Management and Assessment, The Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors, The Royal Society of Chemistry and The Geological Society.

Further information can be found at http://www.silc.org.uk/

And finally....

Photographs of the recent CIWEM Annual Dinner, held at The Draper's Hall, London on 2nd April 2003, can be seen and ordered at the following address: http://www.ciwem.com/whats_new/photos/index.htm

The event was a great success and witnessed the presentation of a number of prestigious awards in a superb setting.

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15. Join CIWEM

CIWEM is a vibrant environmental professional body which offers professional development, an impressive programme of local, national and international events, our magazine ten times a year, a quarterly journal, excellent networking opportunities and many other benefits. Contact membership@ciwem.org.uk for more details.

This is the e-newsletter from CIWEM's Policy Department. Please keep comments and suggestions coming in. If you would like to be taken off the mailing list, please email webmaster@ciwem.com

Please pass any comments or requests for further information on any of the above issues to:

Justin Taberham, Director of Policy, CIWEM, 15 John Street, London, England, WC1N 2EB
Tel: 020 7831 3110 Fax: 020 7242 8191 Email: jtaberham@ciwem.org.uk or justin@ciwem.com

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