The UK Government needs to play an active role alongside the Big Society when it comes to protecting wildlife in an age of austerity, conservationists have warned.

The Water Commission Industry for Scotland (WICS) today signalled the start of the countdown to competition in Scottish water.

A Regulatory Impact Assessment (RIA) has been proposed by Defra for the Priority Substances Directive which will run alongside the Water Framework Directive.

The IPPR presents a weak case for a Water Efficiency Commitment from the water industry, according to a statement issued by Water UK.

The Consumer Council for Water is calling on the Government and Ofwat to make sure that money arising from fines on water companies is used for the benefit of consumers.

Water UK ,the industry association that represents UK statutory water supply and wastewater companies at national and European level, has published its responses to two separate consultations by Defra and the Treasury, and by the regulator Ofwat, on extending competition in the water industry.

Water UK, the body that represents all UK water and wastewater service suppliers,has responded to Ofwat's consultation 'Setting water price limits for 2010-2015 - framework and approach' on the 2009 water price review (PR09) by questioning whether it is enough to meet the challenges now facing the industry.

Water UK, the  body which represents all UK water and wastewater service suppliers at national and European level, has published an update briefing on the forthcoming PR09 price review by Ofwat.

Water UK has appointed the United Kingdom Accreditation Service (UKAS) to accredit companies wishing to be nominated certifying bodies for contractors carrying out in situ lining of water mains.