UK: CIWEM calls for fundamental change to water regulation (16/02/10)
The UK will need to undergo a fundamental change in regulation and open the door to groundbreaking water treatment technology if it is to move towards sustainability, according to CIWEM (The Chartered Institution of Water and Environmental Management).
A recent CIWEM survey showed 87% of respondents supported a comprehensive review of the financial regulation of water to encourage innovation, to incentivise water conservation, to integrate water management with environmental policy and legislation, and to address future challenges.
Nearly all agreed that innovation is not supported effectively. The take-up of innovation by the industry is a matter of particular concern. CIWEM urged government to encourage greater innovation by increasing the incentives for out-performance and addressing the potential bias to capital expenditure.
Companies that over-perform against their environmental targets should not be penalised for failing to meet their economic targets, the institution said.
CIWEM also said it would like to see Ofwat, the regulator of water and sewerage services in England and Wales, given responsibilities for promoting the delivery of integrated water, wastewater and environmental services, not just water and wastewater services.
Lis Stedman
