Other stories from last week

The Environment Agency has issued 19 drought permits to Yorkshire Water, allowing it to release less water from 19 reservoirs to maintain river health, to maintain public supplies. The permits last for six months. Yorkshire Water will need to inform the Agency in advance of using any of the permits, and to carry out monitoring and mitigation to manage potential environmental impacts.

The Rivers Trust’s Big River Watch annual citizen science project will run 19-25 September. Participants are asked to complete a survey on an app about the health of their local river, with questions on wildlife, signs of pollution, health and wellbeing.  

Energy & Utility Skills is calling for organisations across the water, power, waste and gas industries and their supply chains to take part in the latest Inclusion Measurement Framework research, the utility sector’s benchmark for equity, diversity, and inclusion. Now in its sixth year, the Framework provides insights into the sector’s progress in attracting, recruiting, retaining and developing a diverse workforce to identify where change is needed. Submissions are welcomed until 24 October, with the findings to be published in early 2026.

Australian water security consultancy Sequana has launched in the UK. The company said its model – pioneered in projects such as the Victoria, Perth and Gold Coast desalination plants – blends technical excellence, environmental responsibility and stakeholder trust, and that it is well placed to support the UK’s response to intensifying climate change.