May 2023
Price: £95 PLUS VAT
Format: DOWNLOADABLE PDF
This conference examined priorities and next steps for water management across the UK.
Delegates assessed plans to increase the efficiency, availability and affordability of water supply - as well as addressing issues around protecting the natural environment, reducing pollution and contamination, and meeting infrastructure and technology demands.
It was an opportunity for stakeholders and policymakers to discuss responses emerging from Defra’s consultation on Water Efficiency Labelling, and priorities for the upcoming Water Efficiency Roadmap.
With the UK water sector facing increasing immediate and long-term challenges, the agenda brought out discussion on what is needed to address key issues such as climate change, and the sector’s role in achieving net zero. It also looked at the recommendations laid out in Ofwat’s 2024 Price Review Methodology, with a focus on the concerns and expectations of customers regarding affordability.
Delegates examined plans to increase water efficiency and availability following warnings of rising demand in the latest regional water resources plans.
Further sessions assessed the role of water management in the protection of the UK’s natural environment, with discussion expected on biodiversity, threats from emerging pollutants, and the impact of storm overflows.
We are pleased to have been able to include keynote sessions with Richard Thompson, Deputy Director, Water Management and Investment, Environment Agency; Jon Chappell, Senior Policy Adviser for Water, National Infrastructure Commission; and Paul Hickey, Managing Director of RAPID, Ofwat.
Overall, the agenda included discussion on:
- key sector challenges: managing water availability, quality and price going forward
- water quality and environmental protection: protecting biodiversity and the natural environment - countering storm overflows - progress towards net zero
- EA keynote: the benefits of investing in the environment - what will make the biggest difference
- NIC keynote: progress towards securing drought resilience by 2050
- demand and water efficiency: water labelling - preparation for droughts - infrastructure needs - consumer perceptions of water scarcity - protection from leakage - plans for water storage
- policy: increasing water efficiency - preparing for future challenges
The conference was an opportunity for stakeholders to consider the issues alongside key policy officials who attended from the Cabinet Office; CCC; CMA; DAERA, NI; Defra; DBT; DESNZ; DLUHC; DfT; DWI; EA; HM Treasury; Isle of Man Government; NAO; Ofwat; The Planning Inspectorate; The Scottish Government; and the Welsh Government - as well as parliamentary pass-holders from The House of Commons.
