Sponge, baby, sponge to deal with flooding risks | Letters Letters: Alastair Chisholm and Laurie Wilcockson on the steps the government needs to take to ensure we can buy and live in homes without fear of flooding

🧽 Sponge, baby, sponge to deal with flooding risks

@alastairchisholm.bsky.social on the steps the government needs to take to ensure we can buy and live in homes without fear of flooding.

Read it here 👇
www.theguardian.com/environment/...

SPECIAL Cunliffe Review Reaction episode out now! Big headlines but will the proposed shake up of the UK water sector actually deliver improvement? Who's happy? Who's unhappy? What do people in the know really think? Get the inside track from @alastairchisholm.bsky.social
🎧➡️ bit.ly/PP_cunliffe

KAPOW! Ofwat whacked as new water super regulator rises The economic regulator for the water sector Ofwat will be axed following an independent review headed by Sir John Cunliffe and replaced with a new watchdog absorbing elements of the Environment Agency...

🚨Out now 🚨

Water regulator Ofwat is to be axed, but what will replace it? 🤔

Plus what other big water shake-ups can we expect (or not expect) following this week's review? 🌊

Tune in to the latest episode of the ECO Chamber ft. guest @ciwem.bsky.social's @alastairchisholm.bsky.social to find out 💡

Cunliffe’s Independent Water Commission could shift the dial – with the right government commitment - CIWEM The Independent Water Commission final report could shift the dial forward in water management – if the whole of government backs its recommendations.

CIWEM director of policy @alastairchisholm.bsky.social has shared his deep-dive on the Independent Water Commission final report.

➡️ Read it: ciwem.org/news/cunliff...

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Alastair also joined @nikiroach.bsky.social for a special episode of @planetpossible.bsky.social.

➡️ Listen: bit.ly/PP_cunliffe

SuDS: Common sense stuck in stagnation - CIWEM CIWEM director of projects Paul Shaffer asks why there has been so little progress on implementing Sustainable Drainage Solutions (SuDS) in England.

Sustainable Drainage Systems (SuDS) just make sense. So, what’s the hold-up?

In this article for #CIWEM, @altaeco.bsky.social reflects on the journey so far, analyses the newly-announced #SuDS standards, and looks at the way forward when it comes to SuDS in England.

www.ciwem.org/news/suds-co...

New ep out now! Our special guest is @tonyjuniper.bsky.social Nature campaigner and chair of @naturalengland.bsky.social - Tony speaks honestly and powerfully + he has huge influence. Tony & @nikiroach.bsky.social discuss nature, climate, equality + progress. A must listen.
🎧➡️ bit.ly/PP_juniper

Healthy Air Coalition launches new report… - Healthy Air Coalition The Healthy Air Coalition is proud to launch our landmark policy report: “Making Britain’s air cleaner, healthier and better to breathe: A blueprint for government action on clean air.” Air pollution ...

Yes, of course. The link to the Blueprint report on our website is here: www.healthyair.org.uk/healthy-air-...

🚨 TODAY, the Healthy Air Coalition launches its new blueprint report for government action on clean air:
🎯Healthy air targets
🚫🔥 Phase out wood burning
🚗⬇️ Cut traffic
🌾✅ Cleaner farming
Join us in calling for #CleanAir for everyone
🔗http://bit.ly/4lbztNE

This year marked a pivotal shift in beaver policy in England - dive into what it means for nature, people and climate resilience, as featured in @ciwem.bsky.social’s summer magazine.

With thanks to CIWEM for highlighting this topic.

#Beavers #NatureBasedSolutions

The UK is getting drier. Could reusing greywater help? Experts say the average Briton uses too much water per day and societal change needs to start today to tackle looming water crisis

The UK is getting drier. Could reusing greywater help?

🗣️ With comment from CIWEM's Alastair Chisholm and The Rivers Trust's Mark Lloyd.

@theriverstrust.bsky.social
@alastairchisholm.bsky.social

www.theguardian.com/environment/...

We're delighted to announce that Steve Thompsett, #CIWEM Trustee since 2018, has been awarded Member of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire (MBE)

This honour was given for his work & dedication to services to Water Management, Education & the Environment

🔗 www.ciwem.org/news/ciwem-t...

It was great to have MPs @leepitcher.bsky.social , Dr. @juliabuckley.bsky.social & @shaundaviesmp.bsky.social at #FloodandCoast25!

Lee highlighted important role of APPGs in driving policy change. Julia & Shaun shared updates on addressing flooding issues in the local areas of Shrewsbury & Telford.

The rest of the day featured a number of interesting talks, workshops and panel discussions.

We finished off the day with the Women in Flood and Coast (WiFCERM) Panel + Networking Event - an inspiring & inclusive gathering open to all working across the FCERM sector.

Stay tuned for day two!

We then welcomed Defra Floods Minister Emma Hardy to the main stage.

Minister Hardy announced to delegates long-awaited reforms to the outdated flood funding formula - introducing a simpler and more strategic approach to flood funding.

View the consultation: consult.defra.gov.uk/floods-and-w...

We also had CIWEM director of policy @alastairchisholm.bsky.social and EA chair Alan Lovell discussing Government's ambitions for growth & the role the community plays in delivering to these targets.

Alan Lovell also stressed the importance of celebrating the good work being done by the sector.

We had a great first day at Flood & Coast 2025!

#CIWEM President Hannah Burgess and Director of Learning and Organisational Development Darren Eckford delivered the opening presentation, sharing an inspiring introduction to this year's Flood & Coast.

#FC2025 #FloodandCoast25

🌟 It's the start of #FloodandCoast25 🌟

This year, CIWEM's Flood & Coast conference promises to be more expansive, insightful and diverse than ever before, with insightful sessions, structured workshops and smaller presentations.

Learn more about this year's conference here: floodandcoast.com

Letter: Labour’s bona fides on climate change questioned From Alastair Chisholm, Policy Director, The Chartered Institution of Water and Environmental Management, London EC1, UK

A letter written by CIWEM director of policy
@alastairchisholm.bsky.social has been featured on @financialtimes.com

Alastair reflects on findings from recent @thecccuk.bsky.social adaptation progress report & urges Government to take firmer action on climate adaptation:

www.ft.com/content/4bbb...

Why the UK still won't have enough water despite building new reservoirs | ITV News YouTube video by ITV News

Great piece by @itvnews.bsky.social on why the UK still won't have enough water despite building new reservoirs, and some of the other approaches that could unlock water resilient housing and wider economic growth in water scarce areas. @ciwem.bsky.social

www.youtube.com/watch?v=ykj5...

Power List 2025 day four: Academics, influencers revealed

– INFLUENCERS –

🏅 Martin Baxter @mbxsustain.bsky.social, deputy chief executive of IEMA
🏅 @alastairchisholm.bsky.social, policy director at @ciwem.bsky.social
🏅 Adam Donnan MIEnvSc CEnv MBA, chief executive of the Institution of Environmental Sciences

Great to see Enabling Water Smart Communities (EWSC) member George Warren on this month’s #PlanetPossible!

Alongside @nikiroach.bsky.social and @tomchance.bsky.social from Community Land Trusts, they explore the benefits of harvesting rainwater and using it in our homes.

🔗 bit.ly/PP_rainwater

The People's Commission:What do we need to secure a resilient water system. Alastair Chisholm YouTube video by Peoples Commission

@al_chisholm tells The People's Commission what we need to secure a resilient water system youtu.be/wRtK29qg8Vo?si… 1. Mandatory water efficiency labelling 2. Ambitious building standards to save water 3. Drinking water just for drinking. 4.Local people deciding priorities

What do we need to make a resilient water system?
1/8) Firstly, water sector to improve pollution performance:
- Treated sewage effluent,
- storm overflows,
- appropriate regulation of biosolids,
- helping identify drain misconnections,
- good asset maintenance.

@peopleswater.bsky.social

Responding to the urgent threat of climate change on our coastal heritage - CIWEM An update to CIWEM’s ‘Postcards from the Edge’ report on changing coastlines addresses the unique challenges facing the UK’s heritage assets.

Second, a ‘postcard’ in @ciwem.bsky.social newsletter on heritage and coastal change www.ciwem.org/news/respond...

We're delighted to announce that CIWEM's Environmental Photographer of the Year competition is back for 2025, in partnership with Brave Blue World, allowing artists & communities to #tellyourwaterstory through their photographs.

🌟 Stay tuned for more!

#WorldWaterDay

📸 Maurizio Di Pietro (2022)

Why plans to stop sewage pouring into Windermere may never happen The Government announces a 'long-term ambition' to ensure 'only rainwater' ends up in Windermere, but some experts are sceptical

Unquestionably, Windermere should be cleaned up, and there are various options to do this.
Govt should talk about these rather than potentially making itself hostage to fortune through soundbites pointing to the most extreme outcome.
inews.co.uk/news/why-pla...

The 10 UK areas where housing projects are most threatened by water scarcity 60,000 planned homes across east and south-east England will be 'undeliverable' due to a shortage of water reserves

Govt must show real ambition on water efficiency and rainwater harvesting to ensure its housing targets aren't blocked. New reservoirs alone won't cut it - and will come far too late for 1.5m new homes. Water efficiency = a growth enabler. @emmahardymp.bsky.social
inews.co.uk/news/10-uk-a...

Learn more about A Fresh Water Future here:
afreshwaterfuture.org

@alastairchisholm.bsky.social

We were pleased to visit Number 10 Downing Street yesterday to meet the PM's advisers, Henry Alexander and Carys Roberts, to discuss #AFreshWaterFuture & wider water policy matters.

We welcome the opportunity to represent our members’ skills and knowledge when speaking with the PM's officials.