WET
NEWS
WATER AND EFFLUENT TREATMENT NEWS
THE NEWSPAPER FOR WATER INDUSTRY CONTRACTORS www.wetnews.co.uk volume 15 • issue 03 • March 2009
Projects being
Asset’s LiteSpeed sewer solution gets patent
WATER MANAGEMENT solu-
shelved? No,
tions provider Asset Interna-
tional has received the patent
rights for its LiteSpeed com-
says Ofwat
bined sewer overflow (CSO)
solution, which is designed to
cut on-site construction costs
of CSO chambers.
INDUSTRY REGULATOR Ofwat back, postponed or cancelled,” Asset worked with Morrison
has dismissed British Water said Mullord. British Water is Construction Services and
claims that water companies currently compiling details of Hyder Consulting to develop
are cancelling or delaying an contract cancellations and post- the chamber, which is
increasing number of projects. ponements from its members to designed to answer CSO
A spokesman for Ofwat assess the scale of the problem. engineering requirements.
added that the trade association “The reason I suspect these The LiteSpeed chamber pre-
was “talking down the reputa- projects are being cancelled is vents the discharge of foul
tion of the water and sewerage through lack of funding, and water into surface water
sector at this crucial time, that is something we are drainage systems. Asset said
without any evidence. Their keen to try and address, and LiteSpeed will benefit many
claims do nothing to help help the water companies to flood alleviation projects
support the UK’s economy make sure they can fulfil their included in AMP4 and AMP5. Asset International now has patent rights for its LiteSpeed sewer overflow solution
during a difficult period”. obligations,” he said.
British Water is carrying out But the Ofwat spokesman
research to verify anecdotal said: “We would like to see
Tories to
evidence that water companies evidence of these explicit
scrap IPC
are cancelling or postponing allegations, as our data strongly
projects. It has written to suggests the sector is on track to
if in power
Plastic Piping System Experts
the government highlighting deliver the more than £8B invest-
the problem, and calling ment scheduled for 2008-10. THE NEW Infrastructure
for financial assistance for “In terms of raising debt Planning Commission (IPC)
water companies. finance, while current will be abolished if the
The trade association, repre- conditions in the market are Conservative Party wins the
senting companies in the water difficult, in the short term we next General Election, party
industry supply chain, is not understand that companies leader David Cameron has
critical of water companies, already have sufficient finance confirmed.
but acting on behalf of the in place to deliver the required A Conservative government
water industry, said its director, outputs in the current Asset will replace the IPC with a
Paul Mullord. Management Plan [AMP] private or hybrid parliamentary
“At our meeting in January, period, which ends in 2010.” bill process.
18 out of 32 members reported The IPC, created under the
some form of projects being put • See News Analysis, p6 Planning Act 2008, has the
power to supersede local
Funds to reduce flood
authorities, and approve
planning applications for
risk in Wales boosted
major infrastructure projects,
such as new reservoirs and
THE FLOOD Risk Management to draw down EU Objective power stations.
Wales committee is getting a One funding during this period. The Conservative Party
large increase in the funding Examples of schemes com- believes its proposal will speed
being made available to reduce pleted during this financial year, up planning inquiries “by
the risk of flooding in the which have qualified for Euro- ensuring that they focus on
principality, according to the pean funding, include the Afon material planning considera-
Environment Agency (EA). Adda Scheme in Bangor and the tions, instead of questioning
Figures presented to the Glynneath Scheme, which the appropriateness of the
committee revealed there has between them have reduced the project principle”. IPS supply a complete range of industrial
been a fourfold increase over risk of flooding to 1,000-plus There has been concern that
plastic piping systems.
the past eight years in the homes and businesses. the commission will have the
amount of money spent by Geraint Davies, chairman of power to build on the green We promise you the best service, friendly
Environment Agency Wales the flood risk committee, said: belt, demolish listed buildings, professional advice and unique solutions.
(EAW) on major capital “Our investment helps compulsorily purchase land,
schemes to reduce the risk communities manage the and ignore local planning
Call today to receive your free copy of our
of flooding to communities increasing risk from flooding rules and guidance. 2009 product handbook.
across Wales. due to climate change. We can’t According to the Conserva-
In 2001-02 the Welsh Assem- eliminate risk, so alongside tive Party, a “lack of demo-
bly Government allocated just growing investment renewed cratic legitimacy” means the
more than £4M of capital efforts are being made to ensure commission is liable to
0800 975 7971
funding for these schemes. The people know the risks they challenges through judicial
www.ipsflowsystems.com
allocation for 2009/10 will be face, and the action they review, the European Court of
nearly £16M. should take in preparation for Human Rights, and the
This money has also helped future flooding.” European Court of Justice.
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