Emma Reynolds has been appointed the new Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs in the UK. How will she sort through all the recent reports and reviews into the highly contentious future of the water sector in the UK? What actions will she take from the various recommendations

There is drought in many parts of the UK. Should it be water companies that decide (and announce) when things like hosepipe bans are implemented or could there be a better process?

What are Sponge Cities? How has China had so much success with them and should the approach be replicated in other parts of the world?

Host Niki Roach and CIWEM Director of Policy Al Chisholm discuss all of the above current issues in this month's Planet Possible MiniPod.

If you want to find out more about the 'A Fresh Water Future Conference' in December, visit:

www.ciwem.org/events/a-fresh-water-future-conference-2025

Credits

Presented & Produced by Niki Roach

Executive Producer Andy Taylor - Bwlb Limited

With thanks to Alastair Chisholm

Honorary Executive Producer Jane Boland

This episode explores Niki's visit to Havant Thicket, the first new reservoir to be built in the UK, in 30 years.

Niki spoke to Terry Fuller from Future Water, Robert Taylor CEO of Portsmouth Water and other key members of the delivery team about this ambitious project.

The site is owned by Portsmouth Water, who will store and supply Southern Water, as part of a water cooperative.

Once complete, the site will hold 9 billion litres of water and will serve 160,000 customers.

It’s also the first of ten further reservoirs that are planned to be built across the country, in the next 20 years.

The project balances the difficult trade-offs, such as loss of ancient woodland, against major rewilding, habitat restoration, and reduced pressure on water supply.

As a sustainability lead project and with a collaboration focus between water companies and environmental groups, the huge build plans to leave a strong legacy of education, recruitment, training, and a new recreational space for the local community.

Credits

Presented & Produced by Niki Roach

Executive Producer Andy Taylor - Bwlb Limited

With thanks to Alastair Chisholm

Honorary Executive Producer Jane Boland

In this month's MiniPod, we're joined by CIWEM President Hannah Burgess and we discuss...

1. The consultation on how flood funding is awarded and how that opens the door to more voluntary groups, and environmental NGOs, directly accessing funding.

2. The news that a global plastics treaty is being debated, alongside some ideas for individual actions.

3. We also consider the updated national sustainable drainage standards which should drive more consistency in what's delivered.

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Credits

Presented & Produced by Niki Roach

Executive Producer Andy Taylor - Bwlb Limited

With thanks to Alastair Chisholm

Honorary Executive Producer Jane Boland