Halgan ’s Post

Formatted to quickly provide high-level insight into TMWA's financial management, and you don't have to leave Linked-In to browse! Just click on the image to page through the report.

We are very pleased to see a record spend committed to improving Water Industry assets and ultimately the environment in AMP 8 although it may well be less than is required. The real question is… where will the resource come from to deliver these ambitious plans? Especially with many water and waste sites adopting new technology with greater hazards and risk for people and the environment, at the same time as environmental governance tightening 🤔

Ofwat's draft determination is out: huge £88bn expenditure (c£35bn on pollution and quality measures) although £16bn less than in company business plans. As one of Ofwat's economic advisors, we know how hard they have worked with companies to balance investment, financial sustainability and affordability. But has Ofwat done enough to balance rising consumer bills (21% over the period, an average £19 per year excluding inflation) with sufficient funding (rate of return of 3.72%) to ward off the financing issues being experienced by Thames and others? These average figures hide large differences and debates: Thames Water bills are proposed to rise by £19 pa compared to their ask of £38 pa, with around 20% conditional on "good" investment. A Wessex customer's annual bill is proposed at £508 compared to Severn Trent at £402. Kevin Coates Paul Innes Oliver Wilson Myuran Devaraja Abdul Malik #ofwat #pr24 #thameswater

ABA's Section of Environment, Energy, and Resources (SEER) just released their Year in Review (and my latest published work)! Check out the publication for information on significant water resources legal developments in 2023. https://lnkd.in/d3PDs9ER

This is an enlightening piece……….why aren’t water company directors prosecuted in the same way that waste company directors are for what is apparently the same criminal offence? Why isn’t the Proceeds of Crime Act utilised against water company directors in the same way it is deployed against waste company directors? Why the double standards Ofwat, Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, Environment Agency, Steve Barclay? Please can you explain why there appears to be an alternative justice system for what are patently offences of equivalence? #sewagescandal #waterscandal #doublestandards

Our most precious resource will slip through our fingers if we’re not aquifer smart! Substitute these common practices for more sustainable efforts so you can proudly say you’re doing your part to protect the Edwards Aquifer! Already doing these things but still want to help? Share this post to spread the word!💙 Manage 💧 Enhance 💧 Protect ➡️ Learn more about the EAA here: https://bit.ly/3SJ8TzO #EdwardsAquiferAuthority

U.S. SUPREME COURT HEARS ORAL AGUMENT THIS WEDNESDAY ON EPIC INTERSTATE WATER FIGHT OVER THE RIO GRANDE RIVER The only thing better than a water fight is an interstate water fight between the federal government and several states being argued before the U.S. Supreme Court! This Wednesday (March 20) the Supreme Court will hear oral argument in New Mexico v. Texas concerning the interpretation of the Rio Grande interstate compact. The Rio Grande compact signatory states—Colorado, New Mexico, and Texas—have reached a settlement, but the federal government was not a party to the settlement, and it wants a say in how the case is decided.  The federal Bureau of Reclamation operates the large Elephant Butte Reservoir in New Mexico on the Rio Grande, which provides water to New Mexico’s farmer and regulates flows to downstream Texas. Can states settle interstate water compact disputes without federal approval? This argument will be one for the ages. Bring your popcorn and enjoy the argument. Link to information about the argument: https://lnkd.in/ggictp7f

Did the recent Royal Forest and Bird Protection Society of New Zealand Inc v New Zealand Transport Agency [2024] NZSC 26 change King Salmon or Port Otago?   The short answer is no, if anything it reinforced the approach to resolving conflicts of policy even further. The Court confirmed: ·        The Port Otago analysis applies, however in this case there is a distinction, Port Otago was a conflict of equally powerful directive policies, this was not. Where they are not, the conflict resolves itself as one is submissive. ·        King Salmon applies, avoid means avoid and resort to higher order documents/Part 2 only where there is inconsistency, uncertainty, or failure to cover the field. ·        A decision maker must consider firstly whether the avoidance policies apply, not whether they should choose to obey them. The conflict arises from the wording of the policies, not a conflict in policies achieving Part 2. ·        Gave an example: in the Port Otago, where there was a conflict between equally directive policies, the Regional Coastal Plan could have given some port activities discretionary or even restricted discretionary activity status in areas subject to avoidance policies, if they satisfied regional policies drafted to give effect to the Port Otago methodology. However, this could not occur in the present case as there was  no contest between equally powerful directive policies. So how do you reconcile policies now? •     Apply King Salmon – avoid means avoid & refer to Part 2 when necessary. •     Then assess the policies to determine the degree of directiveness. Look at the text, location within the planning document, their operation and intended operation when created. •     If they are not equally directive the conflict is resolved. •     If they are equally directive: a. Work through the wording to identify how they fit together with an aim of narrowing the breach of either policy and achieving the objective of both. b. Recognise that factual assessment at consent level may resolve the purported conflict as one of the rules may not be triggered (for example the reduction of material harm by conditions). c.....and avoid the Overall Broad Judgement approach. https://lnkd.in/gS6X9a-C #Law #ResourceManagement #TompkinsWake #UrbanPlanning

Last week a debate was held in the Grand Committee Room next to Westminster Hall concerning the "Performance of South West Water". https://lnkd.in/eiFga5wf Simon Jupp MP opened the proceedings as follows: "I am delighted to have secured this important debate, one year on from another debate that I secured on the performance of South West Water. It is another opportunity to hold South West Water to the highest possible standards in the House. Last year, I described the performance of our water company and its historic lack of investment as “shameful”, and many of my constituents shared my point of view. This year, I want to focus my speech on the facts facing my constituency of East Devon. The public want to see evidence of improvement and delivery of the promised investment, and they want South West Water to clean up its act and our water. South West Water must deliver better services for our constituents, improve our bathing waters, and protect our natural environment. Not doing so puts the vibrancy of our coastal communities under threat." What does this house think about the performance of South West Water over the last year/decade? How about the other Great British water companies for that matter? #WaterQuality #WaterSupply

💧 ⚖️Does your water take comply with Queensland’s laws? Officers from our department are out and about ensuring water users in Coastal Burnett, Condamine, Lockyer Valley, and Cressbrook Creek areas are observing the rules and that their water meters are operating correctly. Property audits help us to regulate water use in Queensland and better educate water users who are not meeting legislated requirements. When our officers visit a property, they typically meet with the owner then check meters, the way works are constructed and how water is being used on the property. These audits are about helping water users to understand key aspects of water management, while offering support and guidance so they can comply with the rules. Learn more about this work via https://bit.ly/3SGwJe0