Latest News
News and updates from Envireau Water.
Envireau Water presentation at UKIA annual conference
James Dodds, Envireau Water, chaired the UK Irrigation Association annual spring conference in Peterborough on March 2nd. The theme of the conference was Obstacles, Risks, and Opportunities for Irrigators.
Presentations were made by representatives from the regulatory (Environment Agency), consulting, farming, large scale overseas and academic sectors. One presentation even came via Skype from Australia and went without a hitch (much to the organisers relief). It was extremely interesting to hear the viewpoints of all the different sectors, in particular those from far flung corners of the globe.
James Dodds also presented a paper titled “WATER - Securing a Reliable Resource - Regulator Engagement & Licence Trading” and this reflected the general message of the day; co-operation with the regulator. The securing of an abstraction licence, licence trade or even a discharge consent / permit can be facilitated through proactively engaging with the Environment Agency.
If would like a copy of the presentation please contact James directly on 01332 871882 or email him at .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
WATER - Securing a Reliable Resource - Regulator Engagement & Licence Trading
James Dodds of Envireau Water is chairing the UK Irrigation Association annual conference in Peterborough tomorrow (March 2nd). He will also be giving a presentation titled “WATER - Securing a Reliable Resource - Regulator Engagement & Licence Trading”.
James has been involved with the UKIA since 1999 and also acts as the treasurer. If you are unable to attend the conference and would like a copy of the presentation please contact James directly on 01332 871882 or email him at .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
New abstraction licence from closed catchment
Envireau Water has just secured a winter surface water abstraction licence from the River Idle catchment in Nottinghamshire on behalf of a client.
This licence is unique as the catchment has been closed to new abstractions at all flow ranges for many years.
Comprehensive data analysis proved that there was winter resource available at certain flows without detriment to the River Idle Washlands SSSI. The Environment Agency granted the licence on 17th February 2011.
If you have any water abstraction problems that need solving please contact Tamsin Morey on 01332 871882 or email her at .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
Environment Agency Civil Sanctions implementation:
Envireau Water recently attended a webinar concerned with how the new Civil Sanctions awarded to the Environment Agency (EA) under the Environmental Civil Sanctions (England) Order 2010, will be put into practice.
The new sanctions were enabled on 4 January 2011 and the EA will apply these to breaches in Environmental Permitting from April 2011. Natural England were awarded similar sanctions but it is currently unknown when these will begin to be implemented.
There are various forms that a Civil Sanction can take:
• Fixed Monetary Penalty (for minor breaches and generally a few hundred pounds)
• Variable Monetary Penalty (for more serious breaches and can run to hundreds of thousands of pounds)
• Restoration Notice - Offender to right damage caused by breach
• Compliance Notice - Offender to carry out specific works
• Stop Notice - Offender to cease action causing breach immediately
• Enforcement Undertaking - Voluntary steps taken by offender (in agreement with regulator) to tackle breach
• Third Party Undertaking - Offender to rectify offsite impacts caused by breach
All revenue from Civil Sanction penalties will be paid into the government fund and does not go to the Regulators themselves.
There is a requirement for the regulator to publish their use of Civil Sanctions so there will be a public record.
Envireau Water will continue to monitor the implementation of these Sanctions, it will be interesting to see what the first sucessful sanction will relate to.
To find out how these sanctions can impact your organisation call James Dodds on 01332 871882 or email him at .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
Pollution of Aquifers From Shale Gas Drilling
Development of natural gas from shale has received a lot of attention in the media recently.
Problems with pollution of drinking water supplies from groundwater aquifers in the USA is being transposed to the UK. There is even a suggestion that there should be a moratorium on development in the UK to protect our groundwater supplies.
Envireau Water is one of the few specialist independent consultants that have direct experience of shale gas development in the UK, coupled with in-house hydrocarbon well development expertise and experience, coupled with one of the countries' leading teams specialising in groundwater exploitation and protection.
While many people may have concerns, the UK together with the shale gas developers have a wealth of data and experience and expertise to assess the risks properly and to design mitigation. The UK also has some of the toughest groundwater protection law, regulations and policy to ensure that the regulators have teeth.
If you are developing Shale Gas, or are concerned about its development contact James Dodds on 01332 871882 or email him at .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)