Water UK

Water UK issues final report on 2007 summer floods

29/07/08

The report provides a checklist of actions for the water industry on its own and in collaboration with others. It recommends long-term upgrades to water and wastewater infrastructure and a strengthening of existing assets against damage from extreme weather to ensure that companies can maintain service in the event of an asset failure.

Among the recommendations are that water companies should:

 •  keep a focus on the impacts of climate change and weather forecasting, and work closely with the Met Office;
 •  ensure that data are complete and up-to-date and available to share with others as appropriate;
 •  agree with regulators how best to determine investment plans for low-probability, high-impact events;
 •  continue to promote integrated and sustainable approaches to surface water drainage;
 •  develop plans to improve the sewer network where this is the best option.

The review group was led by independent chairman Sir John Baker. Its members were senior industry executives. Phase One of the review examined the emergency response to the unprecedented events and published a report in February 2008.

Pamela Taylor, Water UK Chief Executive, said:

"There are significant challenges ahead for the water industry and other essential services in preparing to cope with future flooding."

The review group work has now completed its work and recommended that the Water UK Flooding Implementation Group (set up in response to the first report) take responsibility for action on conclusions on behalf of the water industry.

Lessons learned from summer floods 2007 Phase Two report

Lessons learned from summer floods 2007 Phase One report

Ends

For more information please contact:

Jim Marshall, Secretary to the Review Group

Barrie Clarke, Director of Communications

Notes

1. Water UK’s Flooding Review Group was established in the aftermath of the 2007 floods to review the lessons learned by the water industry.

2. Members of the Flooding Review Group are Sir John Baker; Johnson Cox, Chief Executive, Anglian Water; John Cuthbert, Managing Director, Northumbrian Water; Ronnie Mercer, Chairman, Scottish Water; Colin Skellett, Chairman, Wessex Water.

3. Sir John Baker and Jonson Cox are available for interview on the Flooding Review via conference call on 29 July 2008. Please contact Karen Thompson on 020 7344 1809.

4. Water UK held a series of workshops in spring 2008 to discover the main lessons to be learned by the water industry.

5. Water companies are due to publish draft business and investment plans for 2010-2015 by 11 August this year. The plans are expected to contain proposals for improving the resilience and capacity of water and wastewater assets.