Event Outputs
More than 50 Water UK members, regulators and stakeholders attended this event to share experience and identify monitoring requirements for the 100-plus catchment management schemes and investigations included in PR09 price limits.
Water UK Catchment Management Forum
The aims of the event were:
• To share experiences and plans around implementation of catchment management schemes in the forthcoming water industry price review PR09 (2010-15)
• To plan monitoring, evidence and regulatory reporting requirements for catchment management schemes
Context
Defra set out policy context for the work, including the Future Water strategy, PSA targets, the Climate Change Act and the Water Framework Directive.
PR09 perspective
Ofwat cited over 100 schemes or investigations included in price limits (including 25 drinking water quality programme schemes), worth over £50mn of capex and £7.5mn opex over 5 years. There were some cost challenges to companies, based on information provided and comparison with schemes proposed. Ofwat does not see a case at present for direct payments from water customers to the agricultural sector.
Water industry summary
Chair Andy Brown welcomed the number and breadth of schemes coming through in PR09, and highlighted common water company issues, drivers and challenges in proposed schemes. Common challenges will include stakeholder engagement, effective communication, maintaining interest and managing expectations. He noted there will be a range of company approaches to implementing schemes, appropriate to difference circumstances.
Information summaryFor further information please contact:
Bruce Horton
