Programme

Registration and refreshments

Chairman’s opening remarks

Keynote Presentation I

Ofwat: An update on our priorities and strategy regarding water resource management, funding and the periodic review process

• An outline of our strategic priorities over the next 5-10 years
• How we are working with DEFRA and the Environment Agency on water resource management and investment
• A review of the recent periodic review process for AMP 5 and the lessons learned
• How we plan to regulate, monitor and measure water companies in the next AMP cycle
• Clarifying our approach to leakage management and how our leakage targets are developed

Keynote Presentation II

The Environment Agency: Developing a manageable approach to water resource management and sustainable provision 

• An update on EA policy and strategy for the next 5-10 years
• How we anticipate that climate change will impact security and supply of water in the UK
• How we are working with Ofwat and DEFRA on water resource management and investment 
• The Water Framework Directive and water resource management plans
• An update on our approaches to abstraction licensing, catchment management and leakage management 
• The Environmental Liability Directive - advice for the water industry on meeting regulations on a cost effective basis
  

The likely future of water legislation in the UK and its impact on consulting engineers and contractors

• identifying where additional water regulation is needed and what a likely time frame could be
• what legal and governance structures are needed to aid sustainable provision of water?
• anticipating what the government’s strategic priorities regarding water are likely to be over the next 5-10 years and how they might change after the general election
• how legislative change might impact consulting engineers
  

Question and answer session

Morning refreshments

Water in the pipeline: an update on planned investment for water companies

• An update on our investment plans and priorities following the recent periodic review process
• Our procurement process and contract opportunities
• Our current project pipeline
  

Discussion Panel

Funding and investment - is the 5 year AMP a realistic way to manage industry investment and provide customer value?

• How can the industry address the disjoint between the requirements of the water resource planning process and Ofwat’s decisions regarding funding?
• What would be a realistic alternative to the present five year investment cycle?
• Is it possible to end the “boom and bust” cycle of the present system?

Lunch

Quantifying the effects of climate change on water provision and what action is needed from the water industry

• An update on how climate conditions are expected to change in the short- and long-term
• How these changes are likely to impact on the security and supply of water in the UK
• The anticipated impact of climate change on supply and infrastructure in the UK, particularly increased flooding
• Options for dealing with flooding damage to infrastructure
  

Wessex Water: an integrated approach to water resources management

• Water efficiency, leakage and metering
• Environmental objectives
• Water quality management
  

Question and answer session

Afternoon refreshments

Water Innovation Surgery

This session will be a review of innovations and technology available for water resource management, water efficiency, and leakage/asset management.

A panel of technology and solutions vendors will discuss and debate the latest innovations and their likely impacts on efficiency improvements, customer service and value, security and sustainable provision.

Confirmed panellists:

Promoting sustainable provision and use of water resources

• Benchmarking best practice - what is it possible to achieve in terms of sustainable provision?
• Comparing population needs with water resources
• A review of initiatives to support sustainable provision: harvesting, conservation, efficiency, recycling, demand management  
• What does experience tell us works and what does not
  

Chairman's closing remarks and end of conference