What’s next in the UK water sector

Lanes Group plc has achieved ISO 45001 certification for occupational health and safety, transitioning from OHSAS 18001. This certification applies to all 40 operational sites across the UK, demonstrating the company's commitment to health and safety standards.

A recent blog from Atos discusses the importance of scaling smart waste water networks, highlighting key lessons learned from pilot projects. It emphasises the potential for improved efficiency and resilience in water management.

The workforce renewal and skills strategy identifies six strategic priorities for the energy and utilities sector

SES Water has initiated a public consultation on their drought plan, inviting feedback from organisations. The plan outlines measures for managing water use during droughts and the process for applying for drought permits.

The 2021 SocEnv Awards recognised outstanding contributions in the environmental sector, announcing winners for Environmental Professional of the Year and Registrant Newcomer of the Year during a virtual ceremony.

The Department for International Trade is inviting feedback on the UK's trading arrangements with India to inform future negotiations for a free trade agreement. Responses can be submitted via their online consultation platform until 31st August 2021.

Pennon Group has acquired Bristol Water for £425 million, enhancing its customer base and regulatory capital value. The acquisition is expected to support future investments and includes a significant return of capital to shareholders.

Morrison Water Services has partnered with one.network to develop a cloud-based traffic management platform, enhancing streetworks operations for Yorkshire Water. This innovation significantly improves planning efficiency and communication with stakeholders.

M Group Services has been awarded the Armed Forces Covenant Gold Award, recognising its commitment to supporting the defence community across its various UK operations in essential infrastructure sectors.

Steve Vick International has achieved ISO 14001:2015 Environmental Management Systems and Constructionline Gold accreditations, demonstrating their commitment to high standards in health, safety, and environmental protection.

Ofwat has outlined draft decisions on green recovery proposals, aiming to support £850m in new investment projects from five major water companies in the UK.

The Energy & Utilities Skills Partnership has released a new analysis highlighting progress and ongoing challenges in diversity and inclusion within the energy and utilities sector, including workforce demographics and recruitment efforts.