Other stories from last week

(by Karma Loveday)

Defra has published Global biodiversity loss, ecosystem collapse and national security – 

a strategic assessment of how global nature depletion could affect the UK’s resilience, security and prosperity. This finds that the critical ecosystems that support major global food production areas and impact global climate, water and weather cycles are the most important for UK national security. We are at high risk of exposure to these impacts and at high risk of ecosystem degradation across all regions. Defra said: “Publishing the assessment highlights opportunities for innovation, green finance and global partnerships that can drive growth while safeguarding the ecosystems that underpin our collective security and prosperity.”

Alongside its White Paper publication, the Government said £29m from water company fines will be reinvested into local water environment projects, funding over 100 schemes which will improve 450km of rivers, restore 650 acres of natural habitats and plant 100,000 new trees. This will include £1.7m per year over the next two years to double the funding for catchment partnerships as announced in the White Paper; support for the Water and Abandoned Metal Mines Programme; and the Water Environment Improvement Fund. The money is expected to attract at least a further £11m from private sector investment. 

Ofwat has opened an enforcement case into Albion Water to investigate whether it has “failed to meet its obligations as a sewerage undertaker and/or to maintain adequate financial and management resources, and/or systems of planning and internal control, in carrying out its Regulated Activities. This follows concerns being identified with the operation of the company’s Castle Hill treatment works at Ebbsfleet in Kent, and, separately the company failing to meet a number of regulatory reporting requirements.” 

The Environment Agency has published a Regulatory Position Statement on unpermitted discharges from sewers inundated by groundwater infiltration. It said it will not normally take enforcement action against companies complying with the guidance, which is designed to ensure companies reduce infiltration, and ensure that inundated sewers are kept in line with the requirements of the Urban Wastewater Treatment Regulations. 

Campaign group Citizen’s Arrest Network has sent an updated dossier of evidence to Thames Valley Police, calling for an investigation into Thames Water and its chief executive Chris Weston, for allegedly creating a public nuisance under section 78 of the Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Act 2022. The dossier cites Thames’ Environmental Performance Assessment position and Ofwat’s enforcement following its wastewater investigation. The dossier was prepared by Leigh Day.

Wessex Water has appointed United Infrastructure to deliver design and build services under its Minor Works Infrastructure Framework.