An EU-funded project has created an early warning system that allows city authorities and water utilities to take preventative action before sewer and storm water networks overflow and flood the streets - potentially saving lives and protecting homes and infrastructure.

Chancellor George Osborne has announced further measures intended to further strengthen the nascent shale gas industry in today’s Autumn Statement.

Chancellor George Osborne has announced further measures intended to further strengthen the nascent shale gas industry in today’s Autumn Statement.

The Chancellor said that a new Sovereign Wealth Fund for the North of England would be established so that the shale gas resources of the North are used to invest in the future of the North. The chancellor told MPs that three funds had been created to encourage the extraction of shale gas in the UK.

The further boost for the fracking industry mirrors a similar announcement in last year’s Autumn Statement which saw the introduction of a new tax allowance to kick-start development of the UK's shale gas resources. The tax rate for initial profits made by shale explorers was roughly halved under the measure - saving companies an extra 24p in tax for every £1 they spend on shale development projects.

Award-winning UK company Desolenator has developed a product that uses solar power to turn sea-water into drinking water which it says could bring an end to the world water crisis by providing water to up to a billion people without a clean water source.

Scotland is to establish a wave energy technology development body to encourage innovation in the industry.

Balfour Beatty has taken delivery of the largest UK-owned Earth Pressure Balanced tunnelling machine, as part of a £32m project to improve water quality in the Manchester Ship Canal for its customer, United Utilities.

WRc, the innovation consultancy in the water, gas and waste and resources sectors has announced a partnership with Pure Technologies on an innovative underground asset monitoring solution.