Other stories from last week

(by Karma Loveday)

The Environment Agency is running its second consultation on updating River Basin Management Plans, this time to ask for views on the challenges rivers face. The Significant water management issues consultation is open until 20 May.

Environment secretary Emma Reynolds will give evidence on water and environmental regulation to the House of Lords Industry and Regulators Committee at 2pm on Tuesday. Members are expected to ask questions on the water White Paper and plans for the single water regulator; water bills; the financial stability of the water sector; reducing water demand; environmental monitoring; and enabling nature- and catchment-based solutions.

97% of Scotland’s bathing waters met the required standard in the 2025 bathing season, SEPA has reported. Of the 89 designated waters, 47 were excellent, 26 were good, 13 were sufficient and three were poor.

Water retailer Wave has acquired Infersens, a water-sensing technology company known for its work in Legionella risk management and water efficiency. Infersens’ flagship technology, Cortense, is a non-invasive, wireless sensor system that monitors water flow and temperature in real-time and will be integrated into Wave’s service offering.

Lucy Darch, Wave chief executive, said: “Infersens has developed truly transformative technology that aligns perfectly with our mission to help businesses use water more efficiently and safely. By bringing its assets and expertise into Wave, we’re accelerating our ability to offer smart, scalable solutions to our customers.”

HNBC Foundation, the research arm of the National House Building Council, has published a study on water, comparing water management in new homes across ten countries. The Water compendium looks at issues including:

• The different types of water reuse systems deployed in Australia, Belgium, England, France, Germany, Ireland, Japan, the Netherlands, Spain and the United States.

• Domestic consumption levels in each country.

• The role of government policies in encouraging or mandating water reuse.

• The range of support, incentives and grants available. 

• Case studies of housing projects featuring water reuse systems.

  
  

Southern Water and Medway Council have entered into a formal partnership through a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) aimed at tackling the growing challenges of flooding and storm overflows in this area of Kent. The partnership will focus on delivering sustainable solutions — including the development of Highway Sustainable Drainage Systems (SuDS) — to reduce pressure on existing drainage infrastructure and improve climate resilience. 

The UK Centre for Ecology and Hydrology (UKCEH) has appointed Kathryn Brown OBE as its new science director. She joins from The Wildlife Trusts where she has worked as director of climate change and evidence since 2021.