The Environment Agency and East Devon District Council have spent £12 million of Government funding, building new and improving existing defences at The Royal Avenue, Camperdown Creek and The Esplanade.

Construction work has started on a £5 million solar PV scheme at Balmore Water Treatment Works - one of the largest treatment plants in Scottish Water’s portfolio.

The Environment Agency is seeking views on protecting London and the Essex and Kent coasts that border the River Thames to shape the response to increased flood threat as climate change threatens to create higher sea levels.

Following a recent meeting of water industry CEOs, hosted by new Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, Ranil Jayawardena, Southern Water has written to the Minister setting its improvement progress and plans to government.

Environment Secretary Ranil Jayawardena MP has announced that he will bring forward proposals to raise the civil penalty for water companies who pollute the environment by 1,000-fold - from £250,000 to up to £250 million.

The Competition and Markets Authority has just announced that it is investigating the anticipated acquisition by the overseas investors consortium of Macquarie Infrastructure and Real Assets (Europe) Ltd and British Columbia Investment Management Corporation of a 60% shareholding in the gas transmission and gas metering business of National Grid Gas plc.

Irish Water has announced that construction to upgrade the wastewater infrastructure for the Boherbue area has commenced – the project, which includes a solar panel farm, will ensure that wastewater is adequately treated before being discharged into the Brogeen River.

In a first in the UK water industry, United Utilities and tech innovators ChangeMaker 3D have successfully demonstrated the use of 3D concrete printed components – with significant carbon, cost and labour savings.

Yorkshire Water has begun laying a temporary water pipe over moorland to transfer water from Calderdale to the Worth Valley – the utility is also applying to the Environment Agency for a number of drought permits for reservoirs in North West Yorkshire.

Ofwat has published new guidance setting out its expectation for water companies in England and Wales to deliver all projects worth £200 million-plus via Direct Procurement for Customers (DPC) in their business plans for the 2024 Price Review.