Archive: Water

Comment: Hosepipe bans and a cost of living crisis – it's time to talk about water

Gavin Shukar is a member of parliament and shadow water minister

It's been one of the driest winters on record. Drought orders are already being issued.

Comment: Flood defence cuts are no solution to a growing crisis

Comment: High-risk stakes on flood insurance

Thames Water slammed over leaks

Summer of drought? Minister hosts emergency water summit

Long hot summer? Minister fears drought.

The UK may be facing hosepipe bans this summer after a remarkably dry winter, the environment secretary warned today.

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Ex-Ofwat boss wants water regulation watered down

Water deregulation could provide £2.5bn boost

Businesses and public sector organisations would benefit from a deregulated water services market in England and Wales, a former Ofwat director has claimed.

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MPs warn of flood defence funding gap

Cuts to Defra raise concerns over flood defences

Cuts to funding for flood defences could leave five million properties temporarily at risk, MPs have claimed.

Hot weather could push up water prices

Water companies' bad debt costs each household an estimated £11 every year.

Climate change and population growth will mean increased pressures on how much water is available, a report concluded today.

European water use 'unsustainable'

A hot issue? Europe needs to use less water

The current levels of water being extracted and consumed across Europe are "unsustainable" and must be reversed, experts have warned.

DfID pours cold water on 'river wars' warning

Rivers are a much-prized resource and many form or cross national borders

The British government has sought to dampen down concern from conservation group WWF that "water wars" are a growing threat to global security.

Govt 'squandering wave technology'

The government has been accused of squandering Britain's embryonic wave energy system by failing to use to spend any of the £42 million budget it set aside for the technologies.

MPs criticise government flood plans

MPs have said the government's plans to invest £800 million on flood risk management will not be enough to save the country from another crisis.

Govt to ban bottled water from offices

Tap water only to be offered at govt meetings

Bottled water is to be banned from government offices amid increasing concerns about its environmental impact.

Johnson calls for England-wide fluoridation

Alan Johnson wants flouride added to all tap water

The health secretary has urged the NHS to add fluoride to all water supplies across England in a bid to improve oral health.

LGA demands flood fund fast-track

This summer's flooding cost insurers billions

A planned increase for flood defences should be introduced immediately rather than being deferred for three years, the Local Government Association (LGA) has said.

Minister defends flood response

"Unprecedented" rainfall behind flood defence failure

The environment secretary Hilary Benn has defended the government's response to the widespread flooding witnessed in large parts of the UK this weekend.

Benn boosts flood defence budget

The government has designated a further £200 million to boost flood defences and improve risk management after the north of England was hit by flash floods.

NI executive launches water bills review

Controversial water bills for Northern Ireland will not be introduced in 2007-08 after the Stormont executive launched a review of water and sewerage financing.

MPs criticise 'passive' water regulator

Ofwat 'should encourage people to save water'

Ofwat, the water and sewage regulator, is failing to protect consumers' interests and use its full powers against water companies, MPs have found.

Thames Water slammed over leaks

Ofwat says Thames Water's leakage record is "unacceptable"

Industry regulator Ofwat has condemned as "unacceptable" Thames Water's failure to meet its leakage targets for the second year running.

Peers attack government housing plans

Government slammed for failing to consider water supply in house building plans

The government's plans to build 200,000 more homes in the south east of England fail to properly take into account the strain it would put on water supplies, peers warn today.

Water 'cannot be taken for granted'

Government officials, industry representatives and consumer groups discuss the water shortage

Water is no longer something people can take for granted, environment minister David Miliband said today.

Inquiry opens into Thames desalination plant

Thames Water is appealing against rejection of plans for desalination plant

A public inquiry into plans for Britain's first desalination plant began today, after the mayor of London blocked the scheme on environmental grounds.

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