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A revision of the WFD

It is looking increasingly uncertain that any member state of the Water Framework Directive (WFD) will achieve good status in all water bodies by 2015, and significant use of exemptions is likely to be required.

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Latest developments on an independent dispute resolution scheme

English and Welsh water companies, CCWater, Ofwat and Water UK are working together to set up an independent service to resolve disputes when companies and their customers are unable to reach agreement.

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Price Review 2014 update

Water companies have published their business plans for 2015-20 and almost all will hold down bills to keep them in line with or lower than inflation. To help keep customer bills down, investors will receive lower returns in 2015-20.

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UK bathing water amongst the best

The water industry has invested billions since the 1990s on measures that protect the UK’s bathing waters. The latest results from the European Environment Agency show that the UK is close to the top of the list for bathing waters that comply with the EU standards.

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The Water Act: customers and environment

The water industry is ready to take forward the measures in the new Water Act which will bring long-term benefits to customers and the environment.

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Non-flushable wipes and other products

Baby wipes, cleaning wipes and other non-flushable products can block sewers and cost customers and water and sewerage companies millions of pounds a year in cleaning and repairs.

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International focus on water governance, benchmarks and indicators

There is a growing international focus on governance, indicators and benchmarking in the water sector, both globally and in the EU. There appears to be a belief among regulators and water practitioners globally that while there are plenty of measures of outputs, such as environmental indicators, perhaps more can be done to measure how efficiently the services are delivered.

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Retail exit measure in the Water Bill

The Water Bill has completed its progress through Parliament and will soon become the Water Act. A government amendment was introduced in the House of Lords to provide incumbent water companies with a mechanism to exit the non-household retail market, subject to the consent of the Secretary of State.

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Stricter standards for bathing waters

The UK bathing season starts this month and runs until the end of September. For 2014, monitoring data will be assessed using the standards set in the current bathing water directive. This is the last season these standards will be used. From 2015, bathing water quality will be assessed using new, stricter standards.

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Removing barriers to water re-use

Water re-use systems can use rainwater, or treated water from washing, reducing per capita consumption by up to half. However, even developers of environmentally friendly housing schemes say few homebuyers want to install water re-use systems.

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Abstraction licence reform - more work ahead

The Government’s consultation on abstraction licence reform was a useful first step but more work is needed with Defra officials and other key stakeholders to fully understand the impacts of the proposals.

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Monitoring of shale gas operations

The need for monitoring of aspects of shale gas extraction, such as the integrity of the wells and the treatment of water once it has been used for fracking, will be crucial for effective and safe operations.

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Managing through drought: guidance on water restrictions

The winter of 2014 was the wettest on record, and as whole areas were flooded the capacity of drains and sewers was overwhelmed. But it is important to remember that the floods came a year after two consecutive years of drought. Water, like many other sectors, faces a huge challenge to adapt to these impacts of climate change.

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Early days for water re-use schemes

Water re-use technology has been used in sustainable housing developments for some years but has not been adopted more widely. Water UK, along with Defra, the Environment Agency and Brighton University, is hosting a seminar on 8 April to consider the success of existing schemes and the barriers to greater uptake.

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Partnerships with investors

The water sector has delivered major benefits to customers, society and the environment over the past 25 years. Our water supplies are even more reliable, our drinking water remains among the best in the world and our rivers and beaches are cleaner than ever before. This success has been underpinned by partnerships, in particular with investors.

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Commitment to water industry apprentices

National Apprenticeship Week 2014 Water companies are fully committed to apprenticeship schemes for young people to help launch their careers, and almost 200 places have been offered within the companies every year since 2008.

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Drinking water pipes excluded for broadband

The European Commission has agreed not to put drinking water quality at risk by using underground supply pipes for broadband. This decision supports the UK position, led by Water UK and the Department for Culture, Media and Sport and backed by water companies and authorities across Europe.

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Water Bill – progress and briefings

The Water Bill is nearing completion after being considered by both houses in Parliament. Water UK has expressed its support for a retail market in water and for measures in the Bill to improve the resilience of water supplies.