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Record number of illegal waste sites shut down

Description: Waste Crime Report 2013 shows Environment Agency shuts down 25 illegal waste sites every week

North Sea Coast weather and flood warnings

Description: Strong winds and large waves could cause minor disruption along the North Sea coast on Thursday from Yorkshire to Essex.

Bidding starts on multi-million pound flood contract to protect Londoners

Description: The Environment Agency is today launching the bidding to manage tidal flood risk in London and the Thames Estuary in what is the UK’s largest flood risk management contract.

Droughts, mink and habitat loss blamed for large drop in England’s water vole population

Description: Records reveal water vole presence down 22 per cent in two years.

Twitter Chat – The Future of Fishing

Description: The Environment Agency and Angling Trust are running their first ever Twitter chat to mark the final week of National Fishing Month.

Environment Agency teams rescue thousands of fish distressed by the heatwave

Description: Environment Agency teams across the country have been rescuing thousands of fish in distress as a result of the recent weather.

Take a friend fishing for free!

Description: Anglers are being offered the chance to take a friend or family member fishing for free as part of the Environment Agency’s support for National Fishing Month.

Commitment to streamline and simplify environmental regulation of onshore oil and gas exploratory activities

Description: The Environment Agency is the environmental regulator for the onshore oil and gas industry in England.

Waste operators welcome national online transfer system

Description: Almost three quarters of large waste operators have shown their support for a new system for recording transfers of waste online.

Taskforce urges people to report waste crime as it continues to target illegal waste activities

Description: Today, 18th June 2013, the Environment Agency works with Police, Road Haulage Association, Association of British Insurers, Vehicle and Operator Service Agency and Crimestoppers to crack down on waste crime.

Air pollution still harming health across Europe

Description:

Around 90 % of city dwellers in the European Union (EU) are exposed to one of the most damaging air pollutants at levels deemed harmful to health by the World Health Organisation (WHO). This result comes from the latest assessment of air quality in Europe, published by the European Environment Agency (EEA).

Climate and energy targets – EU largely on track but mixed picture across Member States

Description:

European Union Member States are showing mixed progress towards three climate and energy targets for 2020, even though the EU as a whole could reduce greenhouse gases emissions by 21% in 2020 with the set of national measures already adopted. These findings come from new European Environment Agency (EEA) assessments.

Use of climate-forcing F-gases underlines need for innovation

Description:

Fluorinated gases, otherwise known as F-gases, are a range of industrial gases which have a powerful effect on the climate. As EU policy makers consider further proposals to limit the use of these gases, the European Environment Agency (EEA) has published data on their production, import and export.

Water: Charging full cost can encourage more efficient use

Description:

Flat-fee water charges are still common in parts of Europe. Such schemes, where users pay a fee regardless of the volume used, do not encourage efficient behaviour, either in households or agriculture, according to a new report from the European Environment Agency (EEA).

IPCC report provides new evidence of climate change

Description:

As scientists have increased their understanding of the climate system, they have been able to state with increasing certainty that the Earth’s climate has changed beyond historic variability, and that humans are the main cause. This is demonstrated in the latest report from the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC).

River Rhine commended for river basin management

Description:

The River Rhine has won the first ever International River Foundation (IRF) European River Prize, which is given for remarkable achievements in integrated river basin management. The other finalists were the Órbigo River in Spain, the Upper Drau in Austria, and the Mura-Drava-Danube in Central Europe.

Hot summer weather exacerbating ozone pollution

Description:

Unusually high temperatures this summer may be contributing to poor air quality in many European cities. Thresholds to protect health from ground-level ozone have been exceeded across Europe in recent weeks, according to preliminary data reported to the European Environment Agency (EEA).

Marine litter – a growing threat worldwide

Description:

Increasing amounts of litter are ending up in the world’s oceans and harming the health of ecosystems, killing animals when they become trapped or swallow the litter. Human health is also at risk, as plastics may break down into smaller pieces that may subsequently end up in our food. These are just a few of the problems emerging from the waste collecting in our seas.

Blue-green algae - check the water before you swim

Description:

Most beaches, lakes and rivers in Europe were clean and healthy last year. But water quality can be affected by many unforeseen factors, including sewage, agricultural waste and algae. The European Environment Agency (EEA) recommends checking local water quality information before you jump in.

An overview of EU environment policy targets and objectives

Description:

European Union legislation has established more than 130 separate environmental targets and objectives to be met between 2010 and 2050. Together, these can provide useful milestones supporting Europe’s transition towards a ‘green economy’, according to a report published by the European Environment Agency (EEA).

WaterSafe scheme to increase consumer protection and improve plumbing standards

Description: %5Bimg-r%3Dhome-images-large-watersafe-logo-w200px.jpg) %5B-img) The first UK-wide plumbing assurance scheme, designed to raise standards within the UK plumbing sector, has been launched.

House of Lords call for evidence - waste opportunities- stimulating a bioeconomy

Description: Water UK is pleased to have the opportunity to provide written evidence as part of the inquiry into waste and the bio economy.

Water UK welcomes two new members

Description: Water UK is delighted to announce that two water companies, Albion Water and Peel Water Networks Limited, have joined as new members.

Working towards an assurance scheme for biosolids recycling

Description: Water UK facilitated a seminar last month for experts from a wide range of sectors, including farming, food and drink and retailers, to consider progress towards a standards scheme for biosolids use in agriculture.

Statement on CC Water's report on complaints against water companies

Description: The Consumer Council for Water's latest (http---www.ccwater.org.uk-server.php?show%3Dnav.1524) report on complaints to water companies in England and Wales, published today, shows that complaints are down for the fifth year in a row. The total num...

Sir David Rowlands appointed Water UK's first independent chair

Description: Water UK has appointed former Whitehall Permanent Secretary Sir David Rowlands as its first independent chair.

Water industry lays down challenge to UK shale gas fracking industry

Description: Water companies have warned the shale gas industry that the quality of our drinking water must be protected at all costs and fracking must not harm public health.

Drinking water quality remains high despite challenges

Description: The quality of water people drink in their homes, schools and hospitals remains exceptionally high, according to the latest Chief Inspector's report.

Water UK response to Defra and Welsh Government Future Management of Private Water Supply Pipes Consultation

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Water Bill - Water UK briefing

Description: The UK Government has today introduced the Water Bill, which it says will reform the water industry to make it fit for the 21st century%94 by creating new laws to increase drought resilience, drive growth and employment, as well as give businesses mo...

Water UK publishes 2013 Investor Survey

Description: Water UK releases the results of its 2013 survey of investors, carried out by Indepen.

Water UK to move offices

Description: Water UK is set to move to more modern premises close to its current home at One Queen Anne's Gate at the end of this year.

Water UK's response to Ofwat's consultation - Setting price controls for 20150 - framework and approach

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Water UK response to the European Commission's Consultation on Shale Gas

Description: Water UK today submitted a response to the EU consultation on shale gas. The Water UK response focuses on concerns about impacts on water quality, water quantity, waste quality and impacts on infrastructure.

CAP reform- a future for farming and water

Description: Water UK has published its view of CAP reform, and how the regime could be used and adapted to promote better water quality.

Response to Consumer Focus consultation on the workplan of the new Regulated Industries Unit

Description: The establishment of the Regulated Industries Unit is an important development in consumer representation and advocacy across regulated sectors. It will complement other consumer bodies in these sectors by providing a valuable cross-sectoral perspect...

European Commission's Review of existing legislation on VAT

Description: Water UK's Response to the European Commission's consultation document on the review of existing legislation on VAT.

Response to Defra consultation on data sharing and changes to WaterSure

Description: Water companies would welcome a scheme to allow them to make use of the data of Universal Credit and Pension Credit recipients for specific, targeted purposes. This would enable companies to increase the number of customers receiving assistance when ...

Response to Defra consultation on Strategic Policy Statement

Description: Water UK has responded to Defra's consultation on the draft Strategic Policy Statement and directions to Ofwat.

Response to National Statistician's consultation on options for improving the Retail Prices Index

Description: Water UK response to the Office for National Statistics

Response to draft determination for the prices control 2013-15 for Northern Ireland Water

Description: Response to the Utility Regulator

Response to Law Commission Consultation on The Electronic Communications Code

Description: Water UK has responded to this consultation specifically under the section on the Use of Specified Conduits for cabling.

Response to Defra consultation on tackling bad debt in the water industry

Description: There can be no doubt that the current situation on bad debt in the water industry is neither sustainable nor acceptable.

Response to the Department for Communities and Local Government consultation on Social Housing Fraud

Description: We are responding specifically in relation to the proposals in Chapter 3 of the consultation to introduce powers for investigators to compel certain named categories of organisation to comply with local authorities'requests for data.

Response to Scottish Government consultation 'Scotland The Hydro Nation'

Description: Response to 'Scotland The Hydro Nation- Prospectus and Proposals for Legislation'

Eureau position on the Water Blueprint

Description: Position paper by the European Federataion of National Associations of Water and Waste Water Services (Eureau)

Water performance of buildings - response to European Commission consultation

Description: The European Commission Directorate-General for Environment published a consultation in November 2011 on the water efficiency of buildings. This is part of the wider initiative to reduce pressure from water scarcity and drought by cutting water wasta...

Evidence to the Efra Select Committee on the Water White Paper

Description: The government published its White Paper on water, Water for Life, on 8 December 2011. The House of Commons Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Committee invited written evidence on key issues raised in the White Paper.

Draft guidance on social tariffs - response to Defra consultation

Description: Water companies are conscious that some customers find their water and sewerage bills, along with other essential outgoings, difficult to afford, and for some time have wanted to do more to help customers who need assistance, for example through offe...

Response to DCLG Draft National Planning Policy Framework

Description: Water UK response to the Department for Communities and Local Government consultation on the draft framework.