Public water utilities in many countries are charging households a price that is just a fraction of what it costs to deliver water, let alone maintain or expand water infrastructure, according to David Lipton, first deputy managing director of the International Monetary Fund (IMF).

Flood Re, the flood re-insurance scheme developed by the insurance industry to help homeowners in need of insurance in flood risk areas, has today opened its doors for business.

A review commissioned by Ofwat to help it understand whether sludge and water resource cost and revenue data is robust and comparable with the advent of possible competition in upstream services has flagged up inconsistencies and variations in data provided by the 10 water and sewerage companies.

Ofwat has published a new discussion paper setting out its thoughts on new connections charging – which  includes “allowing regional variation where the circumstances warrant it.”

US-headquartered Stantec Inc. has today announced that it has entered into a definitive merger agreement to acquire MWH Global, Inc. for US$793 million – around £550 million.

The European Investment Bank has agreed to provide £500 million to support a major reinforcement of the electricity transmission network in the north of Scotland to improve connections between wind, wave and tidal renewable energy schemes and the national power network.

Thames Water has gone out to tender with a contract for household debt collection services covering an annual debt forecast with a total value of £121.5 million.