- ENGLAND’S WOODLANDS FOR THE CHOP?
CIWEM is concerned that the Government’s plans to sell England's public forests and woodlands will be detrimental to the nation’s environmental, conservation and social interests.
- AT WATER’S EDGE
The Environmental Photographer of the Year is travelling to Liverpool for an exclusive exhibition hosted by High Tide, an artist-led initiative which seeks to nurture a creative culture of sustainability and ecological consideration.
- CAN FLOOD RISK BE A COMMUNITY ASSET?
Rivers often have a history of flooding, whilst only providing limited amenity or environmental value to local communities. Water & Environment 2011: CIWEM’s Annual Conference will be discussing how an integrated approach to flood risk management can bring communities a wide range of benefits.
- IN SUPPORT OF THE UK CLIMATE IMPACTS PROGRAMME
Encouraged by last year’s speech from the Secretary of State for the Environment, Caroline Spelman, on adaptation, CIWEM has written the Minister a letter to express its support for the work of the UK Climate Impacts Programme, stressing its long-term role in supporting adaption throughout the UK.
- CIWEM: BEATING THE 10:10 TARGET
CIWEM is delighted to report that the Institution has more than achieved its pledge to make significant carbon emission cuts as part of the 10:10 campaign.
- THE PUBLIC MUST BE ENGAGED
Understanding water demand and consumers’ capacity for change is essential in underpinning water demand management and water efficiency programmes. However, a qualitative study published in CIWEM’s Water and Environment Journal shows that users are generally unaware of their own water consumption and that individual perceptions of changes in behaviour are constrained by habit and lack of knowledge.
- BREACHING OUR COMPLIANCE COMMITMENTS?
CIWEM has written to the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, Caroline Spelman, expressing concern over air quality management.
- LEAKAGE: IT’S NOT JUST ABOUT THE MONEY
CIWEM believes that the targets set for leakage reduction by water utilities should take greater account of environmental and social issues, and not just economic factors.
- WHAT WILL THE BIG SOCIETY MEAN FOR THE ENVIRONMENT?
Although David Cameron has pledged to make the success of the Government’s Big Society programme his "mission" in politics, there will be wide spread implications for the environment. CIWEM’s annual two-day conference, Water & the Environment, will focus on the challenges faced by the environment sector to deliver front-line services, despite a lack of funding.
- CLIMATIC CHANGE POSES RISKS TO WATER TREATMENT PLANT OPERATIONS
A Simplified Climate Change Impact Assessment Tool (SCIAT) addresses the specific needs of the water industry, translating climate change projections into real world impacts. A recent study in CIWEM’s Water and Environment Journal demonstrates its application in assessing the impacts of climate change on the reservoir water quality and water treatment plant (WTP) operations at Grafham Water in the east of England.
- IT’S FOR THEIR OWN GOOD
At the last price review, the water industry took tentative steps towards customer empowerment. Customers were consulted about strategic direction and much was made of this engagement. Whilst it was certainly a step forward from previous reviews, less than one percent of consumers actually took part in such exercises and it is unlikely that they can see how they influenced the results.
- ONE SIZE DOES NOT FIT ALL
CIWEM believes that the exclusive emphasis on segregating and collecting biodegradable waste from households has been a mistake. In an update to its Policy Position Statement on Food Waste Disposers, the Institution states that there is a need for a more diverse range of domestic options available for the disposal of food waste, in order to ensure that as many people as possible recycle this valuable waste product and divert it from landfill.
- STUDY CONFIRMS PFOS IS NOT A WIDESPREAD CONTAMINANT OF DRINKING WATER
Although limited data exists on perfluorinated chemicals in water, a recent study published in CIWEM’s Water and Environment Journal has found that perfluorooctane sulphonate (PFOS) is not a widespread contaminant of drinking water in England.
- ONE OF THE ENVIRONMENTAL SUCCESSES OF THE DECADE
Picked from 38 published papers, ‘Orthophosphate concentrations in the River Thames: reductions in the past decade’ has been given the special accolade of CIWEM’s and Wiley’s Water and Environment Journal Best Paper Award.
- NEW INTERNATIONAL PARTNER FOR CIWEM
CIWEM is delighted to welcome the School Of Energy And Environment, City University of Hong Kong as the Institution’s first International Partner Organisation.
