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CIWEM E-News – May 2005
Dear Subscribers,
Thanks for subscribing to CIWEM’s E-News. This is a free electronic version of the monthly newsletter which is distributed to all those interested in CIWEM’s work. The service is administered through CIWEM’s web site www.ciwem.org where you can subscribe via the top menu button for ‘NEWSLETTER’. If you would rather not hear about our work, you can also unsubscribe there.
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The following issues are covered in this edition of the newsletter:
1. New Bulgarian and Balkans Branch Launched!
2. CIWEM Conference – SUDS: Time to Get to Grips with it!
3. CIWEM Conferences – Sponsorship Opportunities and Forthcoming Events
4. New Policy Position Statement on Recreational Use of Inland Waters
5. CIWEM Jobs Market - Free Service
6. CIWEM Launches Technical Report Route to Membership
7. CIWEM at 2005 RHS Chelsea Flower Show
8. CIWEM Professional Indemnity Insurance
9. Consultations
10. In Brief
11. Molecular Microbiology Workshop for Environmental Engineers and Scientists
12. Tackling Waste 2005 – A WARMNET Conference for Postgraduate Research Students
13. European Water Day 2005
14. Specialist in Land Condition Training Day
15. Truth and Lies about the Global Water Crisis
16. Join CIWEM
1. New Bulgarian and Balkans branch Launched!
On 28 April 2005 the new Bulgarian and Balkans Branch of CIWEM was launched by President Geoff Bateman OBE and Executive Director Nick Reeves at the group’s inaugural meeting in Sofia. The first branch members are six newly-created Fellows of CIWEM who are senior managers in water company Sofiyska Voda AD, and between them have more than 150 years of experience in environmental management. Fellowship Certificates were presented at a celebration Dinner by the Chairman of the Bulgarian Parliament Professor Velikov and His Excellency Mr Jeremy Hill the British Ambassador to Bulgaria was in attendance.
Peter Treadgold, CIWEM’s Immediate Past President, and a key player in the move to establish a Bulgarian branch, said:
“CIWEM’s involvement in Bulgaria comes at a time when, as an EU accession country, Bulgaria is striving to raise standards in the management of its environmental assets and its infrastructure. The Institution is looking forward to supporting our Bulgarian members in achieving the highest standards, providing opportunities for technical and policy exchange, and a distillation of international best practice.”
“Bulgaria already has a competent authority for strategic environmental impact assessment, and well-staffed river basin management authorities, which I am sure many of our members will be interested in learning about”, he added.
According to the European Commission, Bulgaria still has some way to go in order to complete preparations for EU membership: “full implementation still poses a major challenge. Particular attention must be paid to the implementation of legislation in the sectors of air quality, waste management, water quality, nature protection, and the issuing of integrated permits, and chemicals.” Each of these is an area where CIWEM has a specialist panel.
CIWEM Executive Director, Nick Reeves, who will act as Branch Manager until a Branch Representative to CIWEM’s governing Council is appointed, said:
“The new CIWEM Bulgaria and Balkans Branch will provide enhanced opportunities for professionals – both experienced specialists and young people at the start of their careers. CIWEM Bulgaria looks forward to attracting environmental professionals from across the board into membership to broaden our sphere of knowledge and influence.”
Background to the creation of the branch was presented at the inaugural meeting by Branch Chair Jim Southworth, of United Utilities, who provided details of the formation of the Branch through the support of United Utilities and Sofiyska Voda, as well as outlining the programme of events for the first year of operation of the new branch of CIWEM.
CIWEM’s involvement in Bulgaria is not limited to establishing the new Branch. The Institution is currently establishing structured training within Sofiyska Voda, and has supported the establishment of a pilot project in Environmental Management Development.
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2. SUDS: Time to Get to Grips with it!
SOAS, London 15 June 2005
Collecting and disposing of rainwater is expensive and can give rise to significant adverse effects when it goes wrong. Separate surface water and foul sewers may cause pollution through the contamination of surface water, either with foul sewage or from diffuse sources such as run-off from roads and agricultural land. Equally, the foul sewage may become mixed with clean water, causing hydraulic overloading. On the other hand, combined systems require large-diameter pipes, and combined sewer overflows are often needed. The higher flows also necessitate larger tanks and pipework in the wastewater treatment works, as well as more pumping, adding to costs.
The collection of water into pipes removes it from the river system, potentially adding to the problem of low river flows. And when rain does occur, the run-off is discharged rapidly into receiving streams, which become flashy and prone to flooding. Flooding of land and property, especially by sewage, is perceived by the public as one of the most unpleasant consequences of inadequate infrastructure, and may lead to an embargo by planning authorities on development, perhaps causing a restriction in desired economic activity. An added future complication is the likely effect of climate change.
These problems could be reduced if some of the rainwater were diverted from the sewer network. An environmentally-friendly way of doing this is the use of Sustainable Drainage Systems (SUDS) in which surface water is diverted into alternative holding and treatment facilities. Although the concept of SUDS is attractive, its development has been slowed by a number of issues, barriers and difficulties. These have been recognised by Defra, whose 2004 Consultation Paper “Making Space for Water” included a section on SUDS. This conference is intended to address these issues and to suggest solutions.
Aims and objectives of the conference
The conference aims to bring together designers, practitioners and policy-makers to discuss the issues, barriers and difficulties surrounding the widespread introduction of SUDS. It will cover the potential benefits and actual and perceived barriers with a view to establishing how these may be resolved.
The objectives of the conference are to:
- emphasise the environmental benefits including pollution prevention and flood alleviation, especially in the light of possible climate change
- explore the costs of new-build or retro-fit installation and of maintenance, highlighting potential savings over conventional systems
- consider the incorporation of SUDS into a whole-catchment solution
- explore the extent to which SUDS can help local authorities to grant planning consent for economically-important developments
- discuss legal barriers to the widespread adoption of SUDS in the UK
- cover ownership and adoption issues such as who is responsible for installing and maintaining the systems
- consider what might happen when a SUDS system has to be replaced.
For a programme and booking information please visit: http://www.ciwem.org.uk/events/SUDS_Master_0305.doc
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3. CIWEM Conferences – Sponsorship Opportunities and Forthcoming Events
There are comprehensive sponsorship packages available for CIWEM’s range of popular 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:
SuDS (Sustainable Drainage Systems) – Time to get to grips with it
15th June 2005, London
Contact Bob Earll, CMS
Tel: 01531 890415 Email: bob.earll@coastms.co.uk
To read the programme visit: http://www.ciwem.org.uk/events/SUDS_Master_0305.doc
Air Quality and Health
22nd June 2005, London
Contact Sarah Hickinson, Aqua Enviro
Tel: 0113 242 4200 Email: ciwem@aquaenviro.co.uk
To read the programme visit: http://www.ciwem.org.uk/events/HIA_June2005.pdf
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
To read the programme visit: http://www.ciwem.org.uk/events/Diffuse_WFD_programmeV3.doc
CIWEM National Conference
6th – 8th September 2005, Wakefield
Contact Sarah Hickinson, Aqua Enviro
Tel: 0113 242 4200 Email: ciwem@aquaenviro.co.uk
Outputs from recent CIWEM conferences are now available on-line at: www.ciwem.org.uk/events/outputs.asp
For further information about CIWEM’s programme of national conferences, please contact Justin Taberham, Director of Policy, CIWEM, E-mail: Justin@ciwem.org or visit www.ciwem.org.uk/events
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4. New Policy Position Statement Published – Recreational Use of Inland Waters
CIWEM has called for the sustainable recreational use of inland water and adjacent land to be protected and increased in a newly published Policy Position Statement (PPS). The PPS, developed by the Institution’s Amenity, Recreation and Conservation Panel (http://www.ciwem.org.uk/policy/panels/arc.asp), reviews the importance of recreational use of inland waters and sets out actions for policy-makers and practitioners to protect and increase recreational opportunities to foster better health and understanding of environmental issues.
CIWEM calls for:
- The sustainable recreational use of inland water and adjacent land to be protected and increased where it will not adversely impact on existing users and uses, conservation protection or economic interests now or in the future.
- An holistic approach to be taken to waterways projects, whatever their primary purpose, seeking to maximise benefits for recreation, economic regeneration, flood risk management, habitat enhancement, and heritage conservation.
- Priority to be given to improving provision for recreational use near to where people live and work, including minor watercourses in towns and cities. Urban watercourses, no matter how small, should be identified as a valued asset for all the community.
- Planning for new recreational provision to be informed by inclusive consultation of all relevant local and user interests, whether economic (e.g. water abstraction and discharge), social (e.g. other recreational users), or environmental (e.g. protected species and habitats).
- Sensitive use of management techniques, agreed through consultation, to minimise any conflicts between new provision and existing users or other interests.
- A practical approach to safety policies to reduce risks surrounding recreational activities, recognising that some water activities are "Assumed risk - water contact sports" that carry a risk of injury or possibly a threat to life, and that participants should be aware of and accept these risks, and be responsible for their own actions. This does not exempt riparian owners and organisers of activities, particularly for young people, from their Duty of Care.
- A practical approach to the use of fencing along inland waterways, particularly near locks, weirs and other structures, balancing the need to reduce risks with the need to facilitate access for the emergency services and waterside users, enable safe portage for small boats, and minimise damage to historic features and habitats.
- All organisations involved with inland waters to collaborate in improving recreational provision by improving information and advice, developing voluntary agreements, making better use of economic instruments and, as necessary, regulation and legislation.
To read the whole statement, please visit: http://www.ciwem.org.uk/policy/policies/waterways.asp
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5. CIWEM Jobs Market – Free Service
CIWEM now offers the facility for employers with job vacancies to advertise them on a dedicated Jobs Market area of the Institution’s website. For a limited time, we are offering this service free of charge and it couldn’t be easier to upload the details of the post you wish to fill. Simply visit http://www.ciwem.org.uk/jobs/ and click on ‘Post a Job’, then fill in the form. Your advert will immediately go live on CIWEM’s Jobs Market page. There is no limit to the number of jobs you may post so take advantage of this free offer now!
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6. CIWEM Launches Technical Report Route to Membership
CIWEM, in partnership with City and Guilds of London Institute, is now able to offer a new route to membership and registration as a Chartered or Incorporated Engineer, or Chartered Scientist, for those applicants or existing members who do not hold a recognised qualification or whose qualification is not at the required MEng, Masters or BEng level.
This route, the Technical Report Route (TRR), has replaced the Mature Candidate Route and is a specially designated pathway to the well established City and Guilds of London Institute Senior Awards at Graduate (GCGI) level for Associate member of CIWEM and IEng or Member (MCGI) level for full Member of CIWEM and CEng or CSci.
The City and Guilds of London Institute was established in 1878 (Royal Charter 1900) to encourage education and training in, and for the workplace. It has close links with industry, government and training organizations, in order to identify the skills needed to support the UK economy.
The TRR is based on learning gained in the workplace (“experiential learning”) during a career, although any short courses or related qualifications may also be taken into consideration. To succeed, applicants will be expected to demonstrate, by the provision of evidence in the form of a Thesis, that they have a knowledge and understanding of engineering or scientific principles broadly equivalent to that of an accredited or approved degree.
Once candidature has been approved by CIWEM, the TRR candidate will be guided in the preparation of the Thesis, which may extend over a period of up to two years, by a specially appointed Advisor. Examination is by a panel interview, focusing on an evaluation of the Thesis as evidence of experiential learning and, on successful completion of that Assessment, the award of either the GCGI or the MCGI will be made. Having now demonstrated appropriate knowledge and understanding of engineering or scientific principles, the candidate will subsequently be required to demonstrate their professional competence in water and environmental management. That is achieved via the CIWEM Professional Review process for membership of the appropriate grade and registration with the ECuk or Science Council.
CIWEM is very pleased to have forged this relationship with the City and Guilds of London Institute, broadening the choice of qualifications that can lead to membership of the Institution and registration with the Engineering Council or Science Council.
Applicants who do not have sufficient experiential learning to embark on the TRR will be advised of other appropriate routes, such as ECuk Examinations, Open University or MSc courses.
For more information and guidance please contact the Membership Department at membership@ciwem.org or telephone 020 7831 3110.
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7. CIWEM at RHS Chelsea Flower Show 23-28 May 2005
CIWEM has been chosen to have a stand in the Lifelong Learning Section at the RHS Royal Chelsea Flower Show, which takes place in London from 23-28 May 2005. The Institution will be showing how horticulture and science can combine to bring about environmental improvement.
CIWEM will be at the heart of the Show, alongside the Floral Displays in the Great Pavilion. Our exhibition is 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 which cleanse the water.
CIWEM’s message behind the exhibit:
“We need to save and re-use water more so that there is enough to nourish the environment. We need to find ways to clean it up that are relatively cheap and don’t use a lot of energy, so that supplies are both sustainable and provide affordable water in our homes and businesses. About 30 per cent of the expensively-treated drinking water we currently use for industrial and domestic functions could be replaced with less treated (‘green’) water.”
For further information please contact Ilana Cravitz, email: ilana@ciwem.org
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8. 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: www.millergroupservices.com/CIWEM
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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
Expert Panel on Air Quality Standards: guidelines for halogen and hydrogen halides in ambient air for protecting human health against acute irritancy effects
http://www.defra.gov.uk/corporate/consult/airqual-halogen/index.htm
Contact alastair@ciwem.org by 10/06/05
Department for Trade and Industry
2005-06 Review of the Renewables Obligation - Preliminary Consultation
http://www.dti.gov.uk/consultations/consultation-1475.html
Contact alastair@ciwem.org by 31/05/05
Office of the Deputy Prime Minister
The draft Town and Country Planning (Environmental Impact Assessment)(England)(Amendment) Regulations 2005
http://www.odpm.gov.uk/stellent/groups/odpm_planning/
documents/page/odpm_plan_035976.pdf
Contact alastair@ciwem.org by 20/05/05
Ofgem
Revision of guidelines on green supply offerings: Consultation document
http://www.ofgem.gov.uk/temp/ofgem/cache/cmsattach/10986_10905.pdf
Contact alastair@ciwem.org by 17/06/05
Pesticides Safety Directorate
A National Strategy For The Sustainable Use Of Plant Protection Products
http://www.pesticides.gov.uk/environment.asp?id=1539
Contact alastair@ciwem.org by 15/06/05
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10. In Brief
CIWEM Annual Dinner
CIWEM’s Annual Dinner raised £2068.53 for the Institution's new Project Link with WaterAid in the Volta region of Ghana.
Photographs of the Annual Dinner are available to order from the What's New section of the CIWEM website: http://www.ciwem.org.uk/whatsnew/index.asp
Prof. Briggs - Deceased
We are sad to announce that Professor Ronald Briggs, a Fellow of the Institution recently of Knebworth, passed away last October. His family would like to inform any previous colleagues or friends of Professor Briggs that they will be holding a memorial service for him and his recently deceased wife at St. Martin’s Church, St. Martin’s Road, Knebworth on the 19th of May at 2 p.m.
SocEnv at ET 2005
Society for the Environment, of which CIWEM is a Licenced Body, is pleased to announce their participation in ET 2005, the UK’s largest environmental technology and management services exhibition, featuring the Environmental Management Forum (EMF). Co-located with International Clean Up (ICU) and the National Energy Management Exhibition (NEMEX), the 24-25 May 2005 is a must attend event for all professionals with environmental responsibilities.
SocEnv will be on hand to offer advice and are presenting a taster training session on becoming a Chartered Environmentalist on Wednesday 25 May 2005. To attend this session or ET, register now by visiting www.et-expo.co.uk or call the hotline on 0870 443 6089.
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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11. 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
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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12. Tackling Waste 2005 – A WARMNET Conference for Postgraduate Research Students
13th and 14th July, 2005
The second annual conference showcasing postgraduate and new research into waste minimization, recovery, reuse and recycling of “waste” materials and novel approaches to waste treatment.
Call for Papers
The basic methods for recovering resources from wastes are at their limits of efficiency. Legislation and financial measures will play their part in fostering a twenty first century approach to waste management. New challenges in treating our waste, new technologies and methodologies are needed to create innovative solutions through research, development and design. Postgraduate and new researchers are invited to submit papers for this conference. Tackling Waste 2005 presents a unique opportunity for waste management researchers to showcase their research into waste minimisation, recovery, reuse and recycling of “waste” materials and novel approaches to waste treatment.
There is a £1000 prize for the best paper (subject to its publication in an academic journal)
Abstracts should be in MS Word format and ~200 words and should be submitted to: tacklingwaste@northampton.ac.uk
Deadline for submission: 30th May 2005
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13. European Water Day 2005
Association Scientific Technical Water Environment (ASTEE) is organising, 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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14. 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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15. Truth and Lies About the Global Water Crisis
Come and see Dame Anita Roddick, founder of The Body Shop discuss the issues of global water poverty, WaterAid and her book “Troubled Water”. This high profile event will be held on 27th July at the University of Reading from 7pm onwards.
Dame Anita Roddick is a supporter of WaterAid and recently published her book “Troubled Water”, an examination of the global water crisis and the role played by the international water industry. The evening is hosted by the Environment Agency and sponsored by Thames Water, with all proceeds going to WaterAid.
The evening will include presentations from Anita and Stephen Turner, Head of Planning and Development at WaterAid. This will be followed by a question and answer session with a panel of experts comprising Dame Anita Roddick, Stephen Turner, Richard Aylard (External Affairs Director at RWE Thames Water) and Chris Birks (Environment Agency Thames Regional Director). The evening will conclude with a book signing, wine and canapé reception and a raffle.
Everyone is welcome to attend. Come along and join the debate about one of the most important issues of our time.
Tickets are priced £12.50 (£10 NUS concession) and are available from:
WaterAid, Swift House, Frimley Business Park, Camberley, GU16 7SQ.
Please make cheques payable to WaterAid, include a return address for the tickets and let us know how many you would like. For more information please contact wateraid@environment-agency.gov.uk
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16. 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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