Outer London boroughs could use green spaces such as parks and playing fields to help reduce flooding risk in the capital, the London Assembly heard this week.

The Crown Estate has announced that four companies have pre-qualified to submit tenders for new wave and tidal stream energy projects, each up to 30 MW capacity. The Estate has also invited bids for three commercial demonstration projects, each up to 10 MW.

Neil Woodford, Head of Investment and water stocks investor at Invesco Perpetual, has reduced his exposure to the water industry, making approximately £400m worth of recent disposals in the industry’s FTSE 100 companies.

Five local authorities and Environment Agency Wales have been attempting to tackle the spread of the invasive Japanese Knotweed plant by using state of the art technology and digital mapping techniques.

Yorkshire Water is starting a £23M programme of work to create sixteen new clean water supply reservoirs across the region.

The Government has welcomed the creation by the UN of a new scientific body on biodiversity as a major step forward in the global battle to stop the loss of animal and plant species and restore ecosystems.

Bob Tallentire, M.D. at Adien, WaterBriefing’s Expert Focus on Detection and Mapping, comments on the uncertainty surrounding the extent of the UK’s private sewer network.

Water industry regulator Ofwat has said that an increase in bills for customers is inevitable following the transfer of private sewers to water and sewerage companies in England and Wales.

Yorkshire Water has stepped up its leakage reduction work to ensure it is in a strong position to tackle any bursts brought about by the freezing weather.

Consulting and business services group Mouchel has this morning confirmed that its bankers Barclays, Lloyds and Royal Bank of Scotland have appointed  accountancy firm Deloitte to conduct a review of its business.