Published in The Institute of Water Magazine: Developing with our water environment

Stantec’s Strategic Technical Consultant, Chris Mooij looks ahead to meeting the challenges of the Water Industry National Environment Programme and explores how we can embrace a new approach to delivering the desired outcomes.

In this Institute of Water Magazine, Environmental Challenges feature, Chris highlights the understanding of how discharges to our water environment effect the chemistry and biology of our water and ultimately how our communities and society has developed over the last 100 years. We have come to value our environment more, which has changed our priorities.  

The Water Industry National Environment Programme (WINEP) associated with PR19 picks up the themes of the State of Environment: water quality. In AMP7, WINEP is estimated to be £5.5 Bn with the largest investment associated with the removal of phosphorus.  However, there are other areas of substantial investment including increasing flows to full treatment; increasing storm tank storage and; reducing sanitary parameters.  

Water companies have a critical role to play in supporting healthy water catchments. Some solutions will be obvious, but others will require a careful assessment of the catchment pressures. The right solution for the environment and community is more likely to be multi-faceted and will require engagement supported by a flexible regulatory approach.