Source to Tap is inviting all farmers, landowners and contractors in the River Derg area to attend a free agricultural contractor fair and information roadshow being held on Thursday, April 28, from 11am to 4pm at Aghyaran Saint Davog’s GAA Club, near Killeter, Castlederg.
This free, informative, event is being organised to allow landowners to meet local agricultural contractors and to offer advice on water-friendly agricultural services such as weed-wiping for rush control and livestock exclusion fencing to prevent riverbank erosion. The event will also share some of the important learnings from the Source to Tap project, that could benefit landowners and farm businesses.
The Source to Tap team will also update attendees on work undertaken on the Land Incentive Scheme in the River Derg catchment.
Supported by the European Union’s INTERREG VA Programme, Source to Tap is an innovative partnership project that has been working since 2017 to improve the health of waterways in the cross-border catchments of the Erne and Derg rivers.
Through the development of sustainable, catchment-scale solutions, Source to Tap has been working with local communities to develop effective ways to protect rivers and lakes. Source to Tap has also trialled various land management measures in forestry, peatland and agriculture and the outreach programme has been informing the public about their critical role in protecting our waterways.
The agricultural sector has been key to the success of many of the Source to Tap projects and as the program concludes in Summer 2022, this upcoming event on April 28 will help inform future best practices for protecting local watercourses
Everyone is welcome to come along and find out more about protecting the water environment and how such measures can help reduce financial outgoings on the farm.
For more information visit www.sourcetotap.eu
Today, we’ve published our Forward Work Programme for 2022-23, which sets out CCW’s strategic priorities and key campaigns for the coming year. We’ve also unveiled a new mission, vision and purpose that will guide everything we do, along with a new set of values to define how we do it.
Our areas of focus for 2022-23 are:
- Continuing our work to End Water Poverty
- Connecting people with the water environment
- Securing better protection for business customers
- Ending the misery caused by sewer flooding
- Getting help for those suffering repeat service failures
You can watch our videos to hear from CCW colleagues about why these priorities are so important, and how they’ve been shaped with the changing needs of both household and business consumers in mind.
You can also view our 2022-23 calendar online. Here you can find key dates of events, meetings, reports and publications we’ve got planned for the coming year.
We’ve received a great response to our strategy consultation, so thanks to everyone who has had their say on our plans, objectives and campaigns. We’ve worked hard to bring these to life in a way that resonated with the people we help, and will look forward to working with you in the year to come.
Job Title: Professional Registration Manager
Location: Gateshead, NE11 0AZ
Salary: From £24,370
About the Institute of Water
For over 75 years the Institute of Water has been the only professional body in the UK to exclusively support the development of those working in the water industry. Our goal is to enable our members to reach their full potential to drive the sector forward. We are inclusive, non-hierarchical, supportive and sustainable.
About the role
We are recruiting a Professional Registration Manager to manage the professional registration journey covering all levels of Registration in Engineering, Science and the Environment and to ensure compliance with the respective licences. The role also includes monitoring the Continuing Professional Development (CPD) of members and managing the Annual CPD Awards.
Specifically, this role involves:
- Managing applications – including payments – for professional registration
- Advising applicants and employers on the requirements and procedures for professional registration
- Promoting Professional Registration, including presenting online and at face-to-face events
- Liaising with assessors and arranging reviews and giving feedback to applicants
- Managing the pool of assessors, including currency/training and demographics
- Maintaining procedures, records and information in accordance with licence conditions
- Acting as point of contact for and representing IWater in meetings with licensing bodies
- Managing CPD monitoring and CPD Awards
- Supporting general membership and events process when necessary, including payments
Key Skills/Attributes:
- Good communication and interpersonal skills and a good command of the English language
- Good working knowledge of Word, Excel and Outlook
- Good organisational skills
- Self-motivated but able to integrate into a small team
- Ability to prioritise workload
Key Result Areas
- Registration – including Assessor management
- Licensing
- CPD
- Customer Service/Teamwork
Our offer
We are offering a salary from £24,370 – depending on experience – plus a pension contribution of up to 8% after probation.
We have a generous holiday allowance of 25 days (not including bank holidays) and we operate an extended office shut down over Christmas and New Year.
Our offices are based on Team Valley and hours of business are 09.00-17.00 Monday-Friday (35 hours per week). We are currently working to a hybrid model and staff work from our offices 2 days a week. The role may require some travel throughout the UK and occasional overnight stays.
We appreciate a good work-life balance is important so we try to allow flexible working where possible and encourage and facilitate staff development.
We are a small team but you will also be working with our volunteers, our Board of Directors and the wider water sector, including water industry Chief Executives, Academics and partner organisations.
How to apply
Send your CV with a covering letter saying:
- What attracted you to the vacancy
- What you can bring to the role
- How you meet the Key Attributes
- How you would help promote professional registration
Together with contact details for two people who would be prepared to give you a reference to lynn@instituteofwater.org.uk
Closing Date: Monday 11th April
Interviews: 4 Carlton Court, Team Valley, Gateshead, NE11 0AZ – date to be confirmed
Cranfield University is inviting applications from UK and International students for three funded PhD opportunities.
Students will benefit from a bespoke training scheme delivered by world leading experts from academia and industry, access to world leading experimental and computational facilities as well as close and regular contact with industry and end user partners. CDT WIRe is committed to promoting a diverse and inclusive community, and offer a range of family friendly, inclusive employment policies. For further information on the CDT WIRe scheme visit the web site: cdtwire.com
The three doctorates available are:
Disrupting disruptions: Drinking water treatment resilience to chemical shortages (sponsored by EPSRC, Anglian Water and Thames Water) Application deadline April 18
Ceramic nanofiltration: Creating a resilient future for drinking water supply (sponsored by EPSRC, Anglian Water, Scottish Water and Welsh Water) Application deadline 31 May
The potential to minimise Nitrogenous Disinfection By-Products and their Toxicological Importance (sponsored by EPSRC and UKWIR Ltd) Application deadline 31 May
Details can be found on the links above.
More than 1,000 graduates and apprentices will help transform Scotland’s drinking and waste water services making them greener and fit for future generations.
They will play a critical part in ensuring Scottish Water has access to emerging talent when it will invest £4.5 billion over a six year period on thousands of miles of vital water pipes, sewer networks, treatment works and other assets.
Most will work on STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) projects across Scotland. They will also help shape and support service excellence for the five million people the utility serves.
All the young people taken on will play a part ensuring Scottish Water delivers net zero emissions by 2040 by building network capacity to cope with changing weather patterns, deliver excellent quality drinking water, and protecting the environment.
The utility says graduates and apprentices will be “essential” between now and 2027 as it transforms its assets and the way it operates, ensuring it continues to be one of the most trusted organisations in the country.
The roles will also see the emerging talent gain on-the-job skills and help contribute to a flourishing Scotland in terms of growing a skilled future workforce.
They will be employed in Scottish Water and a number of partner organisations who will deliver one of Scotland’s biggest capital investment infrastructure programmes which will enhance Scotland’s water and waste water services.
Mark Dickson, Scottish Water’s Director of Capital Investment, said: “These young people will play a vital role in ensuring we deliver our ambitious plans for the next decade and beyond.
“They will bring a range of skills to help us achieve the change needed on the scale and speed to meet the challenge of providing services the public expect and rely on, while also addressing the impact that a changing climate has on our natural resources and infrastructure.
“Everyone who takes part will be pivotal in helping us reach our Route to Net Zero and, hopefully, in decades to come to be experts in the water industry serving a flourishing Scotland.
“We wanted to ensure our major programme of work for the next few years had a specific focus on delivering skills and development opportunities for young people as we transform how we operate, and we look forward to working with them to help develop the essential skills for the water industry and beyond.”
The new starts will help Scottish Water undertake a period of work spanning six years with an optional six-year extension. The initiative will maximise collaboration and consistency between partner organisations and to help meet net zero emissions targets, efficiency and supply chain support as and deliver service excellence for customers and communities.
Work will include , refurbishment and replacement of treatment plants and networks, covering mechanical, electrical, engineering, civil engineering, construction and maintenance services across Scotland.
Scottish Minister for Green Skills, Lorna Slater, said: “Responding to the climate emergency is a critical challenge facing our society and planet, and one that will necessitate adopting new roles and ways of working.
“We recognise the importance of a joined-up approach across all sectors of the economy to develop the upskilling and retraining opportunities required to enable people to take on new, green jobs and ensure communities across Scotland are part of a just transition to net zero emissions.
“It is great to see Scottish Water leading on this graduate and apprenticeship scheme, and working with partner companies, to prepare their workforce to seize these opportunities and further develop their skills
“I am confident that this kind of investment will help us to build and sustain our highly skilled workforce and support Scotland’s climate targets.”
Director of National Training Programmes at Scotland’s skills agency, Skills Development Scotland said: “Providing opportunities for young people through apprenticeships and work-based learning is crucial to ensure we have the critical skills needed for the economy and to support net zero ambitions.
“SDS is part of the Climate Emergency Skills Action Plan to support ambitions to tackle climate change, with work-based learning and apprenticeships recognised as vital to support the transition to net zero. Employers like Scottish Water see the benefits of investing in apprenticeships to develop the future workforce while supporting the next generation of talent.”
The scheme was also welcomed by Grahame Barn, Chief Executive of CECA Scotland, the trade body for Scotland’s civil engineering contractors and representing over 80% of the industry, said: “The positive impact of infrastructure investment will be felt on the ground as civil engineering contractors work alongside Scottish Water to create local jobs, support businesses and nurture the next generation of talent.
“Our sector not only supports the vital infrastructure that keeps everyone connected but will also deliver the chance of a greener future by building the green skills we need to turn Scotland’s climate ambition into reality.
“Over the course of the programme of work, contractors will create the opportunities for apprentices to have the best possible springboard towards a successful career in construction and make a meaningful difference in Scotland’s transition to Net Zero.”
The graduates and modern apprentices will come from a range of companies who work in partnership with Scottish Water including Clancy, Morrison Construction, George Leslie Ltd, RWGM joint venture, Ross-shire Engineering, WGM Engineering & BGEN Joint Venture and Morrison Water Services.
Scottish Water is committed to supporting the Young Person’s Guarantee which seeks to ensure young people in Scotland are provided with the opportunity of an apprenticeship, fair employment – including work experience, taking part in a formal volunteering programme, training or a place at a university or college. Every year the utility takes on a number of people in a range of these roles.
The utility’s own broad apprenticeship programmes typically run for four years and focus upon the integration of learning both on and off-the-job.
Mr Dickson said: “Apprenticeship programmes have high currency within our business. Some of our leaders are former apprentices and there is a great deal of value placed on building for the future through the development of young people who understand the nature of this business, who have the technical skills required to perform safely and effectively, and who understand the vital role that we play within our communities and society.”
Scottish Water is a member of the Scottish Apprenticeship Advisory Board, gives employers and industry a leading role in developing apprenticeships in Scotland. It ensures apprenticeships develop to meet industry and economic need, fair work, and job opportunities.
Pumping solutions specialist Selwood has opened a new multi-million-pound centre in Wishaw, Glasgow, as it continues to grow its operations across Scotland.
The company, the UK’s leading pumping specialist for the water and construction industries, expects to create additional jobs over the next few years as it grows to meet the demands of customers, including Scottish Water.
Along with Selwood’s branches in Aberdeen and Edinburgh, the new larger Glasgow Pumping Solutions Centre brings increased capacity, a bigger team and an expanded offering to customers throughout Scotland.
John Lovell, Managing Director, Selwood Pump Rental Solutions, said: “The opening of our new Glasgow centre underlines Selwood’s reputation as the leading pumping solutions company in the UK, and supports our reputation as the go-to provider in Scotland.
“It is a major investment that enables us to build upon the outstanding service and product range we offer all our customers, from independent contractors to major utility and construction companies.
“We are very much looking forward to welcoming customers to the new Selwood Glasgow Pumping Solutions Centre.”
The opening of the new premises follows Selwood’s successful bid to be awarded a key framework position as a preferred provider of diesel and electric pumps to Scottish Water, supporting its capital and Operational Delivery Programmes.
It also comes as Selwood continues to make large investments in its pump fleet, which recently hit a milestone with 5,000 pump units available for rental across its UK-wide branch network.
The new premises is at Unit D, Canyon Road, on the Netherton Industrial Estate, Wishaw, ML2 0EG.
Yorkshire Water has called for a ban on plastics in wet wipes and all single-use sanitary items, as well as an end to ‘Fine to Flush’ labelling and the introduction of mandatory ‘Do Not Flush’ warnings on single use sanitary items packaging.
In evidence supplied to the government, Yorkshire Water has also called for an extension of the responsibility of manufacturers to cover cost of educating customers about correct methods of disposal, and clean-up costs resulting from incorrect disposal.
Ben Roche, director of wastewater at Yorkshire Water, said: “Wet wipes containing plastic, which do not break down in the sewer like toilet paper, are regularly flushed into our sewer network. These have a significant impact on the operation of our network and can lead to restricted toilet use, sewage entering homes and gardens, sewage escapes into the local environment or pollution to local watercourses.
“We have backed Fleur Anderson’s bill to ban plastics in wet wipes and are urging the government to take further action to ban plastics in all single use sanitary items. We are also calling for the government to increase responsibility of manufacturers of all single use sanitary items to cover cost of educating customers about correct methods of disposal, and the clean-up costs that come from incorrect disposal. We millions of pounds of customers’ bills, money which could be better spent elsewhere, to clear these blockages and believe this cost should be covered by manufacturers of wet wipes and plastic-containing sanitary products.
“We have concerns that the current ‘Fine to Flush‘ standard is not reflective of real-world customer behaviour and means many products that pass the standard still have the potential to cause blockages. The standard sends a confusing message to customers and therefore makes behaviour change more difficult. We believe the government should introduce mandatory ‘Do Not Flush’ labelling of single use sanitary items to remove confusion around what can and can’t be flushed down the toilet.”
The UK uses 11 billion wet wipes per year and 90% of those contain plastic. In 2021, 45% of the blockages Yorkshire Water removed from the sewer network in the region were caused by wet wipes being incorrectly flushed down toilets, costing millions of pounds to resolve.
Across the water industry, blockages caused by baby and toddler wipes, cleaning wipes, and facial and hand wipes cost around £100m to clear
Sarah McMath, CEO of MOSL, has been appointed as the new President of the Institute of Water’s South East Area. Sarah, who has worked in the water industry across a range of executive roles for over 25 years, will officially take on the role from April 2022.
The Institute of Water is a professional body that exclusively supports the careers of anyone working in the UK water industry. The South East Area is the largest of the eight geographical areas covering the UK and the committee runs a varied programme of events, webinars, and technical lectures across the year.
In taking on the role, Sarah said “I am delighted to have accepted this position to make a positive contribution to the water industry. The Institute of Water has a great reputation and a strong track record of supporting water industry professionals to develop themselves and their careers within the sector. I look forward to working with the Committee as we look for further opportunities to build our network, share best practice, and support diversity and new ways of ways of working in water.”
Incoming Chair of the South East Area Committee, Anna Boyles, Head of Performance, Risk and Optimisation at Thames Water, said “We are thrilled to have Sarah join us as President of the committee. Her leading contribution in the industry and the impact she has made in the non-household market as CEO of MOSL made her a nature choice for the role. As a committee, and as part of the wider Institute of Water community, we have big ambitions for 2022. With Sarah’s strong background in the water industry and her commitment to creating supportive and inclusive work environments, she is well placed to lead the Committee in the next step of its journey.
“In welcoming Sarah, I would also like to thank Alison Hoyle for her fantastic leadership as President of the Committee over the past two years.”
Water regulator Ofwat has recommended an overhaul of compensation arrangements for water customers who are left off supply.
The proposed changes, which come on the back of the regulator’s review into water companies’ handling of the ‘Beast from the East’ earlier this year, would see compensation payments for household customers increase to £30 for every 12 hour period they are left off supply.
At present, the Guaranteed Standards Scheme (GSS) entitles household customers to £20 after 12 hours without supply and a further £10 for every additional 24 hours they do not have water.
In addition to increased levels of compensation, further reforms proposed by Ofwat include:
- Requiring compensation payments to be automatic, cutting out the need for customers to go through the process of applying once their water has been restored; and,
- Removing a provision that delays payments to customers where supply interruptions have been caused by a burst or leak involving a ‘strategic main’.
Ofwat has today also written to four water companies (Thames Water, Severn Trent, Southern Water and South East Water) which were asked to provide a detailed, externally audited, action plan setting out how they are addressing the issues identified in Ofwat’s review.
As temperatures continue to fall, Ofwat has warned all water companies of the need to be better prepared to deal with all weather conditions, including thinking more carefully about identifying and supporting those in vulnerable circumstances like the elderly and people with serious medical conditions.
Ofwat Chief Executive, Rachel Fletcher said:
“Being left without a crucial public service like running water causes disruption and hardship and compensation arrangements should reflect the impact on people’s lives. The reforms we are proposing today will aim to ensure that compensation for future supply interruptions is fair, fast and free from hassle. As the mercury begins to fall once again, we expect all water companies to have learned serious lessons from this year’s ‘Beast from the East’ and to be better prepared to look after their customers, whatever the weather brings.”