CIWEM E-News - March 2005

Dear Subscribers,

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

1. Job Vacancy: Director of International Development, CIWEM
2. New CIWEM Policy Position Statement: Composting
3. Updated CIWEM Policy Position Statement: Planning Water Resources in England and Wales
4. CIWEM meets with ODPM over Sustainable Communities Plan concerns
5. CIWEM Air Panel
6. CIWEM Conferences – Sponsorship Opportunities and Forthcoming Events
7. CIWEM Third National Conference – Call for Papers!
8. Sponsorship of the CIWEM Stand at the 2005 RHS Chelsea Flower Show
9. Consultations
10. In Brief
11. ENDS Report Offer for CIWEM Members
12. Molecular Microbiology Workshop for Environmental Engineers and Scientists
13. Sustainable Organic Resources Partnership (SORP) Annual Conference and AGM
14. European Water Day 2005
15. Specialist in Land Condition Training Day
16. River Basin Manageability; Engaging with the Legacy of Irrigation in IWRM
17. Environmex Asia 2005
18. Join CIWEM

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1. Job Vacancy: Director of International Development, CIWEM

Director of International Development
Salary Package: £Competitive

CIWEM, the Chartered Institution of Water and Environmental Management, is the leading professional and qualifying body for the sustainable management of water & environmental assets.

We are seeking an exceptional and self-motivated individual to fill this challenging new role. The successful candidate will work to establish CIWEM as a respected contributor to the international environmental agenda and to act as the Institution’s link with its members, governmental bodies and environmental organisations overseas.

Applicants should have demonstrable experience in either the business, regulatory, governmental or charity sectors; have a good knowledge or experience of the EC and European environmental affairs, together with a wider appreciation of global environmental issues.

For a Job Description, Person Specification and Information Pack please email Lorraine Poole at lpoole@ciwem.org.uk

To apply please send a full CV and covering letter, giving current remuneration details and the contact details of two referees, to the email address given above, or by post to: Mrs Lorraine Poole, CIWEM, 15 John Street, London WC1N 2EB, by 12 noon, 15 April 2005. Postal applications should be marked: ‘Confidential’ on the envelope.

For more information about CIWEM visit www.ciwem.org

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2. New CIWEM Policy Position Statement: Composting

CIWEM has recently published a new Policy Position Statement (PPS) on Composting. In the statement, CIWEM calls for:

1. A firm regulatory footing for controls on composting treatment and product quality (as is the case for organic material containing kitchen waste).
2. Regulation of composting that is exempt from waste management licensing, to the same standard as for other centralised composting operations.
3. The delivery of agreed microbiological quality standards for composts.
4. Quantitative monitoring at the district scale to determine the effectiveness of home composting at diverting household waste from landfill disposal.
5. The UK Government to make a case to the European Commission for derogation of composted material from the prescribed nitrogen (N) limits of the Nitrate Directive. This would resolve the apparent conflict between improving soil organic matter and restricting N additions to soil from composts, so that the full benefit of composted materials on soil quality can be realised.
6. Further research to develop alternative products from composted biomaterials, that are acceptable to the specialised sector of the horticulture industry, which continues to require peat for use in its growing media.
7. Local authorities to address as a matter of urgency how to tackle segregation of kitchen waste in the context of those living in flats, high-rise apartments and dwellings where home composting is not possible.

To read the whole PPS please visit: http://www.ciwem.org.uk/policy/policies/composting.asp

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3. Updated CIWEM Policy Position Statement: Planning Water Resources in England and Wales

CIWEM has recently updated its Policy Position Statement on Planning Water Resources in England and Wales. In the statement, the Institution calls for:

1. A national public debate on the future of water resources and water supply policy in the UK.
2. Water Companies to be made statutory consultees so that there is a formal interface with governments and planning authorities.
3. Water-related issues to be considered by planning authorities at the pre-planning stage.
4. The Environment Agency to examine the water supply/demand balance at national and regional levels, in addition to the local levels currently considered by water company resource plans.
5. Household metering to be compulsory in regions where water resources are under stress and a long-term target of metering for all supplies, to the point of economic justification.
6. Greater importance to be attached to planning for agricultural water needs.
7. Equal weight to be given to demand management and, where necessary, the development of new water resources when the required options appraisal is carried out.
8. The use of scenario-based long-term planning, looking at least 50 years into the future and taking into account the effects of climate change and population trends.
9. Greater clarity in the water resources planning process regarding the responsibilities of, in particular the Environment Agency, Department for Environment Food and Rural Affairs (Defra), Office of the Deputy Prime Minister (ODPM), the Welsh Assembly and the water undertakers.
10. Recognition by regulators and all other stakeholders of the importance of the Water Framework Directive, and the urgent establishment of an implementation time plan and full stakeholder engagement process.
11. Government to lead on a programme of public awareness campaigns to encourage a better understanding of the intrinsic value of water resources.

To read the full PPS, please visit http://www.ciwem.org.uk/policy/policies/water.asp

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4. CIWEM Meets with ODPM over Sustainable Communities Plan Concerns

A CIWEM delegation, comprising Executive Director Nick Reeves, Policy Director Justin Taberham and Press & Communications Officer, Ilana Cravitz recently met with senior officials of the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister (ODPM) to discuss a number of concerns that the Institution has about John Prescott’s Sustainable Communities Plan. The controversial Plan proposes up to 900,000 new homes across the south-east of England, many of which will be built in areas at risk of flooding and where there is already a problem of water scarcity.

The invitation from Lord Rooker, ODPMs Regeneration Minister, to attend the meeting followed a letter from Nick Reeves to John Prescott in which he set out CIWEM’s concerns that the Plan contains a number of flaws that could put people and property at risk unless certain measures were put in place to mitigate flooding and unless predictions on climate change were taken into account.

“The meeting was very constructive” said Nick Reeves, “and officials promised that the Institution will be given a more prominent role in the shaping of policies and regulations that will guide delivery of the government’s Plan for sustainable communities. In turn we have extended an invitation to Ministers to address CIWEM’s National Conference in September so that the profession can hear what actions the government will take to address the concerns of the profession. There will also be a Ministerial briefing in CIWEM’s magazine”.

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5. CIWEM Air Panel

CIWEM’s Air Panel met in February. The Panel discussed in depth their forthcoming conference entitled ‘Air Quality and Health’, to be held on 22nd June in London. The conference will appeal to a wide audience, from air quality experts to planners and health professionals. A Policy Position Statement, on Health Impact Assessments, will be launched at the event and this was finalised at the meeting. Also discussed further was a forthcoming policy statement on climate change. The Panel also discussed and finalised the CIWEM response to the Defra Review of the UK Climate Change Programme, which may be read at: http://www.ciwem.org.uk/policy/consultation/

The Air Panel are seeking new members who wish to actively contribute to the work of CIWEM in this field. If you are CIWEM member actively involved in air issues and would be willing to attend three meetings per year as well as contribute to the production of CIWEM policy and other outputs, please contact Justin Taberham, Director of Policy, email: Justin@ciwem.org enclosing your CV.

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6. CIWEM Conferences – Sponsorship Opportunities and Forthcoming Events

There are comprehensive sponsorship packages for CIWEM conferences, which include:

Free delegate places
Free stand space
Inclusion of organisational literature in delegate packs
Logo inclusion on all materials

For further information, please contact Justin Taberham: justin@ciwem.org

Conferences being run in coming months include:

Developing Themes in Environmental Management
11th May 2005, London
Contact Bob Earll, CMS
Tel: 01531 890415 Email: bob.earll@coastms.co.uk

SuDS (Sustainable Drainage Systems)
15th June 2005, London
Contact Bob Earll, CMS
Tel: 01531 890415 Email: bob.earll@coastms.co.uk

Air Quality and Health
22nd June 2005, London
Contact Sarah Hickinson, Aqua Enviro
Tel: 0113 242 4200 Email: ciwem@aquaenviro.co.uk

Water Framework Directive
Diffuse Pollution - A Reality Check of the Key Challenges
13th July 2005, London
Contact Bob Earll, CMS
Tel: 01531 890415 Email: bob.earll@coastms.co.uk

For further information about CIWEM’s programme of national conferences, please contact Justin Taberham, Director of Policy, CIWEM, E-mail: Justin@ciwem.org

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7. CIWEM Third National Conference – Call for Papers!

The third CIWEM National Conference will be held between 6th – 8th September, 2005 at Bretton Hall, Wakefield.

This year's Third CIWEM National Conference will follow a similar format to last year’s successful event with a number of technical sessions organised separately but running concurrently. The technical events are intended to reflect the strengths of the Institution as well as highlighting the future directions as environmental issues continue to have a high public profile. A number of technical sessions will be offered as well as: the Presidential address, a range of workshops, keynote presentations and discussion forums. As previously, the unifying theme of the technical events is improving our environment by the implementation of sustainable engineered solutions in response to sound, science-based regulation. Based on the response to Call for Papers for previous National Conferences it is anticipated that key areas are likely to be:

• Wastewater Treatment
• Odour Management
• Water Supply
• Water Quality Issues
• Flooding and Drainage
• Wastes Management
• Infrastructure Asset Management

Abstracts of 400 words should be submitted before the 1st April 2005. All abstracts should be submitted by email to ciwem@aquaenviro.co.uk

Further information about the submission of abstracts may be found at: http://www.ciwem.com/events/3rd_CallForPapers_new.pdf

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8. Sponsorship of the CIWEM Stand at the 2005 RHS Chelsea Flower Show

This year, CIWEM has been chosen to have a stand at the RHS Royal Chelsea Flower Show, which takes place in London from 23-28 May 2005.

Our stand will be alongside the Floral Displays in the Great Pavilion, at the heart of the Show. It’s called Plants in Innovative Environmental Schemes, and features the winning entry in the 2004 CIWEM World of Difference Award: the Green Roof Water Recycling System (GROW), designed by Water Works UK Ltd to save water by processing ‘grey’ water (collected wash water) and filtering it through a bed of aquatic plants containing bacteria which cleanse the water.

As a £500 sponsor of CIWEM’s stand your company’s name and logo will appear as part of the display, and in May’s special edition of WEM Magazine, which will be available for members of the public to take away, as well as being distributed to the 12,000 environmental professionals who are members of CIWEM. You will also feature in all CIWEM’s marketing and publicity for the event.

For further details about sponsorship of CIWEM’s stand at the 2005 Chelsea Flower Show contact Nick Reeves, CIWEM Executive Director on 020 7831 3110, e-mail nreeves@ciwem.org, or Ilana Cravitz, CIWEM Press and Communications Officer on ilana@ciwem.org.

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9. Consultations

CIWEM responds to a wide range of consultation documents as part of its technical and policy output. The majority of technical comment for these responses originates from the Institution’s Technical Panels but if you are a CIWEM member you may register your views with us for incorporation into a response. It is important that the Institution reflects its members’ views as far as possible in these responses. 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.

If you have views on any of the issues raised in any of the consultation papers listed below we would very much like to hear from you. A deadline for when we need to receive your comments is always listed. Please do make sure you have your say. 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 Sustainable Waste Management
http://www.defra.gov.uk/corporate/consult/wasteman-strat/index.htm
Contact alastair@ciwem.org by 21/03/05

Department for Environment Food and Rural Affairs
Review of Part I of the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981
http://www.defra.gov.uk/corporate/consult/wildlifeact-part1/index.htm
Contact alastair@ciwem.org by 18/03/05

Department for Environment Food and Rural Affairs
Consultation on draft Code of Practice and local authority guide on odour nuisance from sewage treatment works
http://www.defra.gov.uk/corporate/consult/sewageodour/index.htm
Contact alastair@ciwem.org by 18/03/05

Environment Agency
Assessing the diversion of biodegradable municipal waste from landfill by mechanical biological treatment and other options.
http://www.environment-agency.gov.uk/yourenv/consultations/
912816/?version=1&lang=_e
Contact alastair@ciwem.org by 24/03/05

Environment Agency
“Water for Life and Livelihoods” – Consultation on a Strategy for River Basin Planning
http://www.environment-agency.gov.uk/yourenv/consultations/
946103/?version=1&lang=_e
Contact alastair@ciwem.org by 08/04/05

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10. In Brief

CIWEM Corporate Plan
A draft of the CIWEM Corporate Plan for 2006-2010 has been posted on the Members Page of CIWEM’s website and Council are inviting members’ views and comments on the Plan. Members may email their comments to Lorraine Poole (lpoole@ciwem.org.uk) by Friday 1st April 2005. Comments should be kept as brief and succinct as possible.

CIWEM Annual Dinner 2005
The Bulgarian Amassador, His Excellency Mr Valentin Dobrev will be attending the CIWEM Annual Dinner on 14th April together with the First Secretary and the Deputy Ambassador as guests of United Utilities International and as a prelude to the launch of the new CIWEM Bulgaria and Balkans Branch.

Picturing the Environment
The second international CIWEM Environmental Photographer of the Year competition is now open for entries. The first prize is £250-worth of vouchers to be spent on photographic equipment. In addition, sponsor MWH will generously provide vouchers to the value of £100 for the best People in the Environment picture, and a similar prize for the best Engineering in the Environment picture.

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

The closing date for entries is 30 April 2005, and the winner will be announced on June 5th, World Environment Day. Anyone interested in entering the 2005 competition should contact wem@leadmedia.co.uk or visit www.ciwem.com/awards

CIWEM One-Day Courses
The next 'How to be a CIWEM Mentor' course will be held on Tuesday 19th April 2005.
The next 'Preparing for the CIWEM Professional Review' course will be held on Tuesday 28th June 2005. For further details please visit www.ciwem.com/education/.

CIWEM Subscription Payment
We would like to remind CIWEM members that all subscription fees should be paid by 31st March 2005. Any members who pay after this date will have their membership suspended and will be required to pay a £60.00 Reinstatement Fee.

We would also like to remind members that it is now possible to pay your subscriptions on-line. Registration is simple and free for all current CIWEM members at www.ciwem.org/members/. The ability to log CPD hours online is now also available. We hope that these improvements will make managing your CIWEM membership quicker and easier.

Past President appointed to Editorial Board of ‘Green Places’ Magazine
CIWEM past President, Peter Treadgold, has been appointed to the Editorial Board of the magazine, ‘Green Places’ which is published by the Landscape Design Trust. Other members of the Board include: Broadcaster and Hon Fellow, Chris Baines, Cabe Space Commissioner Alan Barber and DEMOS Programme Director, Ken Worpole.

‘Catalyst’ Newsletter
Calling all engineers! Sign up now for the Catalyst newsletter which will inform and advise you of all the activities of the Engineering Technology Board.

Catalyst is the etb's newsletter to supporting organisations, corporate members, strategic partners and the wider community. It is available to download for free in pdf format. To view past editions and to subscribe visit: http://www.scenta.co.uk/catalyst

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

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11. ENDS Report Offer for CIWEM Members

FREE TRIAL OFFER - To the UK’s leading monthly journal of environmental policy and business

Whether it’s the latest progress in implementing the Water Framework Directive or a blow-by-blow update on the REACH debate, our specialist writers have it covered. Stitching together the many strands of environmental policy and business, The ENDS Report offers an invaluable spectrum of coverage from the overview of the industry to the fine detail of a specific subject.

As a member of the Chartered Institution of Water and Environmental Management, you can now trial The ENDS Report and www.endsreport.com FREE OF CHARGE for 28 days. Alternatively, order by 31st March and take advantage of the £50 saving - exclusive for CIWEM members.

To start your FREE trial click here http://www.endsreport.com/web/ciwem

To take advantage of the CIWEM subscription offer click here http://www.endsreport.com/web/ciwem-dis (this offer excludes current ENDS Report subscribers).

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12. Molecular Microbiology Workshop for Environmental Engineers and Scientists

4-day theory and practical course
17th – 20th May 2005
Microbial Ecology Group
School of Civil Engineering & Geosciences
University of Newcastle

We are offering a 4-day course in the theory and practice of molecular techniques for microbial population monitoring of engineered biological treatment systems.

In recent years, the revolution in molecular techniques has allowed great insight, at an unprecedented resolution, into the microbiology of many natural and engineered systems. For example, the techniques allow the characterisation of previously unknown microbial communities, and the detection, quantification and monitoring of specific microbial populations, such as those involved in nitrification, foaming and bulking in wastewater treatment plants.

We will provide expert training in the practical use of the latest state-of-the-art techniques for detecting, monitoring, and characterising/identifying specific microbial populations through a conjunction of molecular tools and high performance microscopy. The course will comprise:

Day 1: An introduction: theory, concepts and case studies

• Half a day of the theory and the concepts behind the techniques
• Half a day of specific case studies showing examples where the techniques have been used in an engineering context

Days 2-4

• Hands-on tuition and practice of;
  • population fingerprinting technique (PCR and denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis)
  • in situ monitoring and quantification technique (quantitative fluorescence in situ hybridisation)

For further information please contact Angela Brown; e-mail, angela.brown1@ncl.ac.uk, telephone, 0191 222 4885, or Dr. Russell Davenport; e-mail, r.j.davenport@ncl.ac.uk, telephone, 0191 222 5544. 

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13. Sustainable Organic Resources Partnership (SORP) Annual Conference and AGM

Everybody generates recyclable organic materials - from our homes, gardens, shops, offices, factories and farms. We can waste them or recycle them as a valuable resource. The Sustainable Organic Resources Partnership was established in 2003 to bring together everyone with an interest in safe, sustainable use of these resources . Its vision is to build trust between stakeholders, and to create and share knowledge of the benefits of recycling using practices that are sustainable and welcomed.

Whether you are a user, distributor, producer, retailer, policy maker or regulator then you must also read on. We are all part of the challenge and are therefore responsible for helping create the solution.

The Partnership celebrates its progress with its first annual conference and AGM on 14th and 15th April, in Peterborough, UK (£180+VAT for members; non-members £220).

Elliot Morley, Minister of State for Food, Environment and Rural Affairs will discuss the issues. The full breadth of interests is represented on the programme. To get further information contact info@sorp.org but don’t delay – places are limited.

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14. European Water Day 2005

Association Scientific Technical Water Environment (ASTEE) is organizing, in collaboration with the European Water Association (EWA), the European Water Day in Paris on Thursday 2 June 2005. This day is part of the annual congress of ASTEE, which will celebrate the centenary of the association.

The sessions are dealing with three subjects:

• new approaches for international river basin management and coastal areas
• problems and solutions for soil pollution and soil protection
• water and waste water management

For more information, please visit:
http://www.astee.org/communication/manifestations/calendrier/accueil.asp

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15. Specialist in Land Condition (SiLC) Training Day 8th June 2005

As part of the development of the SiLC Registration scheme, members of the SiLC Professional and Technical Panel and Assessors Panel, are hosting a training day to provide information about the SiLC assessment process and the completion and use of the Land Condition Record on which the scheme is based. The training day is open to all those who are considering applying to become a SiLC.

The day will be hosted by a member of the SiLC Professional and Technical Panel (PTP) and by members of the SiLC Assessors Panel, it will be held on Wednesday 8th June 2005 at The National Centre for Early Music, York. Registration will be at 9.30 am. Please book early to ensure a place, numbers are limited and will be allocated in order of application.

The full programme for the day may be downloaded from:
http://www.silc.org.uk/downloads/Training%20Day%20Summer%202005.doc

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16. River Basin Manageability; Engaging with the Legacy of Irrigation in IWRM

12 October 2005 9.00am – 5.30pm
Institution of Civil Engineers, One Great George Street, London

The 12th October ICID seminar will explore links between irrigation and water management of river basins. First, we will ask whether river basin management in developing countries has sufficiently recognized the presence of irrigation systems that deplete significant proportions of freshwater. Our contention is that river basin management has failed to accommodate the dynamics and workings of irrigation systems. Secondly, turning this around, we ask whether irrigation development and rehabilitation has sufficiently “recognized the river basin”. Here, we argue that despite recent advances in integrated water management at the river basin level, most irrigation policies and plans have not adopted a river basin approach, and instead continue to address irrigation in conventional ways. We contend that inertia in irrigation planning and practices constrains innovation in IWRM and undermines the manageability of river basins.

Details are available at www.icid.org.uk
To register your interest, email Bruce Lankford (b.lankford@uea.ac.uk) and Derek Clarke (D.Clarke@soton.ac.uk)

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17. Environmex Asia 2005

29 November – 2 December 2005
Asia’s Most Complete Environmental and Water Event – 3 niche conference that address the key environmental concerns, all under one roof. Jointly organized with Singapore Association for Environmental Companies (SAFECO), this event is your opportunity to gain valuable insight into the latest trends and innovations relating to water, waste and energy developments.

For further information please visit www.environmexasia.com/Conf.htm

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18. 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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