CIWEM E-News – January 2006

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This month:

1. Journal Changes – Seeking Global Reviewers

From January 2006 CIWEM’s Journal – Water and Environment Journal will be published on behalf of CIWEM by Blackwell Publishing; in line with the changes we are increasing our reviewer database. Reviewers peer-review technical papers to determine their suitability for publication and advise on any amendments or revisions necessary such that papers are credible and accurate; enhance knowledge and understanding of water and environmental issues; promote sustainable development and are a credit to the standing and reputation of CIWEM and the profession.

This is a great opportunity to be involved in the work of the Institution and be the first to read exciting new research. We welcome applications from anyone with suitable expertise in a subject within the scope of water and environmental management, especially from those overseas. For more information or to submit your CV please contact Joanna Cooper (jcooper@ciwem.org).

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2. CIWEM Awards – World of Difference Award 2006 – Closing 30th January

The CIWEM World of Difference Award supported by Black & Veatch is still open for entries, but only until the end of this month! The Award rewards the leading proponents of the practical application of science and engineering for environmental improvement, and focuses on innovative design in water and wastewater projects. The Prize consists of a cheque for £1000 and the winning project will be outlined in the CIWEM magazine. For more information or to find out how to enter please visit: http://www.ciwem.org/awards/world/

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3. World Wetlands Day Conference

February 1st & 2nd, London
The current reduced and threatened status of the UK’s wetlands is now well understood and there are a wide range of initiatives developing to restore and recreate wetlands. There is also an almost unprecedented policy opportunity created by changes to the Common Agricultural Policy, the Water Framework Directive (with catchment management and changing approaches to hydromorpholgy), Flood Risk Management and other areas that could enable recovery and restoration of landscape scale wetlands.

The aim of this conference is to explore how the variety of policies and plans recognise the scale of the challenge can be harnessed to enable landscape scale wetlands to be created and restored. This is a subject that has been debated for many years by a very wide range of people and is prompted by the initiation of the Water and Wetlands Vision for England project. The World Wetlands Day conference 2006 is focussing on this major challenge and how it can be taken forward across the UK. Our aim is to engage and stimulate a wide range of input into the developing process to provide answers to a host of questions.

Full details of this important conference may be downloaded from: http://www.ciwem.org/events/WWD_2006_programme.doc

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4. Picturing the Environment

CIWEM is inviting entries for the third international WEM Environmental Photographer of the Year competition. The judges, including Baroness Barbara Young of the Environment Agency, will decide the winner of the first prize: £250-worth of vouchers to be spent on photographic equipment.

In addition, this year CIWEM is particularly encouraging entries that reflect the following themes:

• Conservation and biodiversity
• Flooding and drought
• Technical progress, innovation and projects in an environmental context
• Environmental damage.

Nick Reeves, CIWEM Executive Director, said:

“CIWEM is helping to highlight the small window of opportunity we have to make a difference on climate change. We hope that people of all ages will take this opportunity to look creatively at how we can get the environmental message across simply and effectively using pictures.”

Last year’s competition was won by Richard Hall, an amateur photographer from Yorkshire, for his picture of coastal sand dunes near Walberswick, Suffolk. Richard was also the winner of the People in the Environment category of the competition, and Simon Coutts won the Engineering in the Environment category for his picture of an old windmill and modern wind turbines.

The winning image will be available as a limited edition framed print, will feature in Water and Environment Magazine, CIWEM’s international publication, and will be promoted by CIWEM to the national media.

The closing date for entries is Friday 31 March 2006, and the winner will be announced on June 5th, World Environment Day. Anyone interested in entering the 2006 competition should contact wem@leadmedia.co.uk or visit http://www.ciwem.org/awards/

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5. CIWEM Technical Panels – Get Involved!

CIWEM is seeking potential new members of its technical panels. The Institution undertakes a range of work in its capacity as a professional body. From training courses and conferences to responding to a wide range of consultations and actively drawing the attention of government, regulators, our members and other interested parties to key issues of importance via informed policy material, CIWEM plays an active role in raising standards in the environment.

Many of these activities require expert guidance and assistance for CIWEM’s secretariat by individuals who are willing to share their experience and considered views with the Institution, together with others in a similar position in order to build consensus and develop productive outputs.

CIWEM’s technical panels comprise groups of such experts (typically 15-25 individuals) who focus on specific parts of the global environment sector. Through this approach, CIWEM has developed positive and lasting relationships with government, academic institutions and a range of other bodies and individuals, and used its neutrality and professional background to influence and guide contemporary environmental policy and practice.

Panel members are individuals – generally (although not exclusively) CIWEM members – who work throughout the environment sector, from government and regulators to consultants, industry, academia and non-governmental organisations. Most panels have a membership drawn from across this range of sectors. Common to all panel members is a commitment to improve sustainable environmental management and to actively assist CIWEM in playing its role as an independent, professional body dedicated to this end. Members sit on our panels as individuals, rather than as representatives of their employers.

Panels generally meet three times per year at CIWEM’s offices in London. In between meetings, liaison amongst panel members and CIWEM secretariat takes place mainly via email, and in fact the majority of panel work is undertaken between meetings. If you commit to membership of a panel, you are asked to attend meetings and contribute actively to panel debate, advice and delivery of outputs. In return you will join a diverse network of like-minded professionals and benefit from their wealth of experience and knowledge. CIWEM’s panels are deservedly well respected for their positive contribution to sustainable environmental management.

If you are willing to devote a small proportion of your time to furthering CIWEM’s work in your capacity as an environmental professional, we would like to hear from you. Please send an email to Justin Taberham, Director of policy, at justin@ciwem.org, expressing your interest. We will ask for a copy of your CV, which will be considered by the Director of Policy and the Chairperson of the relevant panel. We are seeking panel members who have a good level of experience in their field and enthusiasm to get involved. If you are overseas and cannot travel to meetings, there is the possibility of becoming a corresponding member.

CIWEM’s Panels are:

• Air Panel
• Amenity, Recreation and Conservation Panel
• Waste Management Panel
• Wastewater Management Panel
• Water Resources Panel
• Water Supply and Quality Panel
• Sustainable Development

Further information about each of CIWEM’s Panels is available on the CIWEM website at http://www.ciwem.org/policy/panels/

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6. Stockholm Junior Water Prize

Young people with ideas to improve the quality of life through practical water projects can win an opportunity to attend an international event in Sweden as part of the international Stockholm Junior Water Prize competition. The winner will also receive a prize of $5000.

Winners of the national heats being held in 30 countries go on to the finals, held during World Water Week in Stockholm each August. The aim of the contest is to encourage young people’s interest in issues concerning water and the environment. The grand prize is US$ 5,000 and a blue crystal sculpture in the shape of a water droplet. Last year, a South African team won for their revolutionary solution to minimise the need for water in small-scale irrigation.

The UK heat is being organised by CIWEM, with United Utilities providing funds for the UK’s top team to attend the finals in Sweden over the next three years. The competition is organised in association with the Institution of Water Officers and the Worshipful Company of Water Conservators, and endorsed and promoted by the Environment Agency.

Peter Matthews, Environment Agency Board Member, past President of CIWEM and Chair of the Society for the Environment, whose energy and enthusiasm have ensured that the contest will run in the UK said:

“Young people are interested in sustainability and issues around water like conservation and conflict, yet there is an increasing skills gap that is holding back the UK’s ability to contribute and compete in this arena at home and abroad. This competition is designed to generate interest in creative science and technology, harnessing the amazing imagination and problem-solving abilities of our young people.

Projects may focus on local, regional, national or global topics and should have an innovative approach to solving water problems. The competition welcomes projects in theoretical and applied science as well as those solving community water problems. Further information and teaching resources are on the Stockholm International Water Institute website: http://www.siwi.org/.

Educational establishments and students intending to enter the UK competition should indicate their intention to the organisers by 30 April 2006. The deadline for submission of final projects is 1 June 2006.

The final written submission should be sent by email to CIWEM at sjwp@ciwem.org or by post to: SJWP, CIWEM, 15 John St, London WC1N 2EB. Submissions will be judged by a panel of water experts chaired by CIWEM and the UK winner will be notified by the end of June 2006. CIWEM will advise and help the winning team on preparing for the Stockholm event.

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7. CIWEM Conferences Digest

CIWEM Conferences are continuing to be well attended and regarded. Outputs from recent conferences may now be found on the CIWEM website at: http://www.ciwem.org.uk/events/outputs.asp

We have a large number of sponsors and supporters for events in 2006, and bookings are going well. If you are interested in sponsoring any of the conferences noted below, please contact Justin Taberham, email Justin@ciwem.org.

World Wetlands Day Conference
1st and 2nd February, 2006, London
Sponsors to date: Defra, RSPB, Atkins, English Nature, Environment Agency, Northumbrian Water, WWT, WWF, Entec, The Wildlife Trusts, English Heritage
Contact Bob Earll, CMS
Email: bob.earll@coastms.co.uk Tel: 01531 890415
Download the brochure at:
http://www.ciwem.org/events/WWD_2006_programme.doc

Joint Conference with ODPM, as part of the PPS25 Consultation: Development and Flood Risk - PPS25
16th February 2006, London
Sponsors to date: ODPM, Arup, Royal Haskoning, MWH, Atkins, Hydro International
Contact Bob Earll, CMS
Email: bob.earll@coastms.co.uk Tel: 01531 890415
Download the brochure at:
http://www.ciwem.org/events/PPS25_MASTER_0106.doc

Implementing the new European Bathing Water Directive
21st February 2006, Newcastle
Sponsors to date: Yara
Contact Frances Eldon, Aqua Enviro
Email: franceseldon@aquaenviro.co.uk Tel: 01924 257891
Download the brochure at:
http://www.ciwem.org/events/Bathing_water_feb06.pdf

Endocrine Disrupting Chemicals in the Water Environment
30th March 2006, Nottingham
Sponsors to date: Black & Veatch, Yara
Contact Frances Eldon, Aqua Enviro
Email: ciwem@aquaenviro.co.uk Tel: 01924 257891

Integrated Urban Drainage
10th May 2006, London
Sponsors to date: Halcrow, Environment Agency, Carlbro, MWH, Royal Haskoning, Arup, Atkins, WaPUG, Severn Trent Water, Peter Brett Associates
Contact Bob Earll, CMS
Email: bob.earll@coastms.co.uk Tel: 01531 890415
Download the brochure at:
http://www.ciwem.org/events/IUD_MASTER_0106.doc

Water Framework Directive – Ecological Status, Monitoring and Reporting
Spring 2006, London
Sponsors to date: MWH
Contact Bob Earll, CMS
Email: bob.earll@coastms.co.uk Tel: 01531 890415

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8. Consultations

CIWEM responds to a wide range of consultation documents as part of its technical and policy output. If you are a CIWEM member and have views on any current public consultations, please feel free to share them with us. A list of the consultations that are currently being considered, together with an internet address for the papers themselves, features in every edition of E-News. A deadline for when we need to receive your comments is always listed. If you would like to view recent consultation responses made by the Institution you can do so on the Institution’s website at www.ciwem.com/policy/consultation

Current consultations:

Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
Consultation on the National Adaptation Policy Framework
http://www.defra.gov.uk/corporate/consult/cc-nap-framework/index.htm
Contact alastair@ciwem.org by 20/01/06

Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
Water Framework Directive - Consultation on river basin planning guidance
http://www.defra.gov.uk/corporate/consult/wfd/index.htm
Contact alastair@ciwem.org by 17/02/06

Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
Consultation on draft AQEG report: Air quality and climate change: a UK perspective
http://www.defra.gov.uk/corporate/consult/airqual-climatechange/index.htm
Contact alastair@ciwem.org by 01/03/06

Department of Health
Safe management of healthcare waste: A public consultation
http://www.dh.gov.uk/Consultations/LiveConsultations/LiveConsultationsArticle/fs/en?CONTENT_ID=4122213&chk=dgJuvR
Contact alastair@ciwem.org by 16/01/06

Office of the Deputy Prime Minister
Proposals for introducing a Code for Sustainable Homes
http://www.odpm.gov.uk/index.asp?id=1162094
Contact alastair@ciwem.org by 06/02/06

Office of the Deputy Prime Minister
Consultation on Planning Policy Statement 25: Development and Flood Risk
http://www.odpm.gov.uk/index.asp?id=1162059
Contact alastair@ciwem.org by 14/02/06

Scottish Executive
Diffuse Water Pollution from Rural Land Use
http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Publications/2005/12/12152505/25059
Contact alastair@ciwem.org by 03/03/06

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9. In Brief

Geoff Truesdale Memorial
A Memorial Service for Geoff Truesdale, OBE (CIWEM President 1988-89) will be held at 4pm on 2nd February at St Micheal's Cornhall followed by a reception at the Little Ship Club at approx. 5.30pm. The cost to those wishing to attend the reception is £25. Enquiries should be sent to either Nick Reeves on lpoole@ciwem.org or Ralph Riley on WATERLCO@aol.com.

New Year’s Honours
Congratulations to the following CIWEM members who were named in the New Year’s Honours list:

• Professor Roland Clift, Honorary Fellow receives a CBE for Services to the Environment (membership no. 27075)
• Lester Hicks, Environmental Partner receives a CBE (membership no. 31424).
• Reg Purnell, Fellow, receives an OBE (membership no. 11703).

We would also like to congratulate Philip Fletcher, Director General of Ofwat, who receives a CBE for services to the Water Industry.

Subscription Renewals – Don’t be Late!
Members are reminded that the date for subscription renewal payments (1st January 2006) has passed and these must be paid before 31st January otherwise a late payment charge of £35 will be made. It is possible to pay by cheque, direct debit, credit card, or on-line via the Members’ Area of the CIWEM website (http://www.ciwem.org/members/).

Full set of CIWEM Journals 1960s to 2002
CIWEM Member Ken Wright has a full set of Journals from CIWEM and the Institution’s Predecessor Bodies dating back to the 1960’s, together with some from the late 1950’s. These are in good condition and Ken is seeking a good home for them. If you would be interested in taking these off his hands, please contact him before February on 01621 817607.

Membership Survey 2005 Results
A reminder the results of the survey of members undertaken recently are now available. You can view them at: http://www.ciwem.org/membership/survey_2005_results.asp

Ethical Investments
CIWEM is currently reviewing the social, environmental and ethical criteria it uses in connection with its investments. The Institution aims to ensure that any investment it makes supports its mission, values, and charity objectives. However, the financial return from investments is also vital to CIWEM’s continued operation. As part of the process of ensuring an appropriate investment policy, CIWEM will be seeking feedback from its members. A questionnaire will be posted on the CIWEM website from the beginning of February. If this is an issue which concerns you, please keep an eye on the site and have your say. A further announcement will be made in next month’s E-News.

CIWEM Scottish Branch Conference – The Use and Practice of Membranes in Water and Wastewater Treatment in the UK
Tuesday 17th January 2006
Venue – Conference Room C, Scottish Water, 419 Balmore Road, Glasgow, G22 6NU

In the last decade it has become common practice for water treatment design to incorporate membranes, in particular to address the issue of cryptosporidia. Furthermore, in recent years environmental pressures have encouraged the move to install membranes as part of wastewater treatment.

This seminar will give delegates the chance to review experiences when installing new membrane plants and identify future use. The presentations in this seminar are aimed at showing the continual improvement process in relation to membranes and shall provide examples of successful installations of this technology.

The programme may be downloaded at:
http://www.ciwem.org/branches/scottish/060117_Use_of_Membranes.pdf

CIWEM Metropolitan Branch Conference – Climate Change and Adaptation
Wednesday 22nd February 2006
This conference will provide an insight from parties involved with influencing the way London has to adapt to climate change. A varied programme of speakers discusses the latest understanding of climate change, the international perspective, and developing tools to help.

The event runs from 9.00am to 4.30pm at the National Liberal Club, Whitehall Place, London. The day will be of interest to utilities, contractors and consultants, government and regulators. Full details and booking information may be downloaded from: http://www.ciwem.org/branches/metropolitan/Metcon.pdf

RSC / CIWEM conference on Experiences with Plumbosolvency Treatment
Wednesday 8th February 2006
Severn Trent Water, Cropston Visitor Centre, Leicestershire LE7 7GB
Treatment at source with phosphate addition has been the cornerstone of plumbosolvency treatment in the Water Industry for several years. Water Companies have been set a regulatory standard of 25µg/l (from the previous 50µg/l) to apply from 2004 onwards.

However, the DWI have set an optimisation target of 10µg/l to demonstrate effective treatment with phosphate. The 10µg/l limit will apply from 2013. Phosphate addition and representative monitoring present challenges in their own right. This seminar brings together experts and practitioners to review performance to date, share operational experiences and identify some of the emerging issues which need to be addressed by the Water Companies and Regulatory agencies. This is a not to be missed opportunity to hear directly from those involved.

For further information please contact Mark Smith, email: mark-s.smith@btinternet.com

National Flood Forum – Register of Flood Risk Assessors
The National Flood Forum is a small community-based organisation working to support those affected by flooding and flood risk. The Forum runs an information service which is open to anyone with a flood related enquiry.

The National Flood forum is to compile a list of suitably accredited professionals with Professional Indemnity insurance, who are qualified to undertake flood risk assessments. Should you wish to register with the Forum, please contact Gill Holland, tel: 01299 403055, email: gill.holland@floodforum.org.uk

CIWEM Professional Indemnity Insurance
Do you find it difficult and expensive to obtain Professional Indemnity (PI) insurance? CIWEM is aware that its members have found Professional Indemnity (PI) cover increasingly expensive and difficult to obtain in recent years, especially smaller firms and individual consultants. As a result, CIWEM is currently exploring the possibility of offering a PI insurance scheme exclusive to its members. For more information, please click here: http://www.millergroupservices.com/CIWEM/

Meeting Room for Hire at CIWEM
The Institution's premises in John Street, situated between Bloomsbury and the City, has a room available for letting. Set out in Board Room style, it comfortably seats up to 15 people and is ideal for small meetings.

For further information, contact CIWEM
Tel: 0207 831 3110
E-mail: reception@ciwem.org
Or visit: http://www.ciwem.org.uk/about/meeting.asp

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10. Advertise in E-News

E-News is delivered to around 8,000 subscribers every month, most of who are actively involved in the environment sector. This makes the newsletter an effective mode of advertising to professionals working in the global environment field. Whether it is jobs, conferences or seminars, training courses, or new schemes and initiatives, we are able to effectively reach a large number of individuals. Adverts can comprise a good amount of text, and we can incorporate banners should you wish extra visual impact. There is also a range of opportunities for advertising on CIWEM’s website.

If you are interested in advertising and would like further information, please contact Andrew Robinson at Lead Media, email: AndrewR@leadmedia.co.uk or tel: + 0044 (0) 870 3000 690 ext- #104.

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11. Small Scale Constructed Wetlands for Waste Water Reuse

Wednesday 15th February 2006 – Department of Civil & Environmental Engineering, Imperial College London.

This event is built round the culmination of ongoing research on the Green Roof Water Recycling system (GROW) installed at Cranfield University. This is a programme which has been funded under the Partners in Innovation programme of the DTI (now concluded), and the event has been conceived as part of the dissemination process required by the grant.

This event, which is much broader than just GROW, brings together a rare combination of experts from not only the constructed wetland fraternity/ sorority, but also botanists with experience of wider range of plants, and also the potential client, as represented by the Home Builders' Federation who will give us an insight into the difficulties they might encounter in using these tools.

We have a broad range of speakers, a prestigious Chairman, and an unprecedented afternoon session to exchange ideas round the table.

The Workshop will include a simple lunch and refreshments and will cost £50.00. There will be a few places for students on application at £25.00.

For further information please contact:
Chris Shirley-Smith, Director, Water Works UK (css@wwuk.co.uk or mailto:c.shirley-smith@imperial.ac.uk (Tel: 0208 888 7259), or Dr. L. Avery, Research Officer, Cranfield University (l.m.avery@cranfield.ac.uk) (Tel: 01234 750111 x 3302)

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12. SCI Workshop – Boosting R&D Productivity by Structured Networking

21 March 2006 – 2, Canning House, Belgrave Square, London, UK

We do some fantastic science in the UK, but our track record of converting it into profitable business is not so good. The Workshop is all about boosting R&D productivity by developing and using Structured Networks.

Participants will learn how to catalyse the partnerships needed for success: activating collaborations; managing Supply Chain/Business Management interfaces; and delivering technology transfer within and between companies, academia and the public sector. The innovative structure of the Workshop will enable participants to tap into everyone's collective expertise and to share best practice. They will develop and take away an action plan directly relevant to their needs.

The programme will include presentations, group discussion and individual work, aided by the use of mini-laptops (provided) to enter written contributions which can then be viewed and commented/built on by others.

For further details and to book online click here: http://www.soci.org/SCI/events/details.jsp?eventID=EV754, or contact Jacqui Maguire, SCI, 14/15 Belgrave Square, London SW1X 8PS. Tel: + 44 (0)20 7598 1562.
Email: jacqui.maguire@soci.org.

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13. Join CIWEM

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

That was 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.org

Please pass any comments to:

Justin Taberham, Director of Policy, CIWEM, 15 John Street, London, England, WC1N 2EB
Tel: 020 7831 3110 Fax: 020 7405 4967 E-mail: Justin@ciwem.org

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