An influential Parliamentary Committee has accused the Government of dereliction of duty on UK for its ongoing failure to protect critical national infrastructure (CNI) from the increasingly serious impacts of climate change.

In a joint letter to water and wastewater company CEOs, David Black, Chief Executive of Ofwat and Emma Clancy, Chief Executive of CCW, have asked for more support to be given to customers.

The National Drought Group has forecast that average rainfall levels over winter will still not be sufficient to avoid impending drought or drought conditions next year.

Water companies are currently facing unprecedented levels of criticism and scrutiny, particularly on issues surrounding wastewater treatment and sewage discharges from storm water overflows. The supply chain has a key role to play in helping them to deliver a sustained and consistent operational performance with partnership and collaboration increasingly seen as the best way forward to achieving their goals.

Arup’s Olivia Bailey, Digital Water Consultant and Project Manager for Wastewater for Health, explores how monitoring biomarkers in wastewater has the potential to be the “canary in the coalmine” to provide an indication of human health for any future pandemic.

Participants at the latest National Drought Group (NDG) meeting have set out further action needed now and over winter to mitigate the impacts of drought on water supplies, agriculture and the environment next year.