#Water companies

[eaglesnick]

“Leverage is the reason some people become rich and others do not become rich” - Robert T Kiyosaki

The privatised water companies have been demanding price rises of between 24% and 91% over the next five years according to the Consumer Council for Water. The mainly foreign owned "English" water companies want to invest £96bn in water and sewage restructuring between now and 2030. New reservoirs, the first for over 30 years, will be built, leaks will be reduced and less sewage will be pumped into our waterways and seas.

Amen to that! But wait…

“English water firms have handed £57 billion to shareholders in the 30 years after privatisation.” (The London Economic: 28/10/21)

We, the consumer, having generously contributed to foreign share dividends for three decades to the tune of £2 billion per year, are now expected to part with even more money to pay for 30 years of private water company neglect. Meanwhile, the CEO’s of these private companies gave themselves a 20% pay rise for the year 2021-22, pocketing £24.8 million.

None of these facts are particularly new but what really irked me yesterday morning was an interview on BBC’s “Today" programme with David Henderson, CEO of Water UK, the organisation that represents all of the privately owned water companies.

Stressing the country’s need for “economic growth", Henderson said this would not be possible unless the water companies were allowed to drastically raise the price of water to cover the cost of investment needed to upgrade our water infrastructure. Talking of the need to increase water supply he stated:

“We have not built a reservoir in 30 years, even though our population has risen by 20% in that time. And that’s because we have been blocked by regulators and by planning officials around the country.”

The cheek!

According to New Civil Engineer magazine (01/09/22)

“There is a seemingly direct link between the 1989 privatisation of water companies in the UK and the ceasing of new reservoirs being built. While there have been a number of flood alleviation reservoirs built by the Environment Agency in this time, the water companies have not invested in potable drinking reservoirs.”

While I have no doubt that some applications for new reservoirs have been refused by planning authorities the main reason for inadequate reservoir capacity is the reluctance of the privately owned water companies to spend money on investment. Despite what David Henderson said on the Today programme this is a headline from the Express:

“Water firms ‘sold off reservoirs that could have eased drought' - Profit ahead of supply" (10/08.22)

In defending the private water companies Henderson was merely doing his job - after all that is what he is paid to do - but unfortunately their behaviour is indefensible. The reason that our waterway infrastructure is near collapse is not because investment plans have been blocked by “regulators and planning officials" but because of greed.

When Margaret Thatcher privatised the previously publicly owned water companies she sold this national asset for a grand total of £7.6bn. In addition she gave the newly created privately owned water companies a “green dowry" of £1.5bn. At time of purchase the water companies were totally debt free.

Fast-forward and what do we find?

“Water firms’ debts since privatisation hit £54bn as Ofwat refuses to impose limits.” Guardian: 01/12.22)

The water companies have spent the last few decades borrowing money, not to improve the water supply and sewage disposal infrastructure, but to pay dividends to shareholders. According to Ofwat’s own figures the water companies have been running ratios of debt to capital value as high as 80%. Water company share holders (70% owned by foreign investors) have received £65.9bn in dividends and it is calculated that 20% of household water bills go towards paying for the debt that rewards these shareholders.

Rachel Reeves much heralded national wealth fund is supposed to be a central plank of the Labour governments “Green Prosperity Plan” but Labour’s earlier promise to nationalise the dysfunctional private water companies has now been abandoned.

David Henderson has issued what in effect is a blackmail ultimatum to the new Labour Government that without massive price rises in consumer water bills, the Labour Party can kiss their dreams of economic growth goodbye.

Today Ofwat, the water regulator, sanctioned an average increase in water bills of 21%, some companies charging as much as 44% more over a five year period. This is a third less than what the water companies demanded, but even a 21% rise over five years is an increase of 4% a year, twice the inflation rate target of the Bank of England.

An interesting case study will be that of Thames Water which has dire financial problems due to building up a debt of £14bn (while still paying out tens of millions in dividends to its shareholders). It remains to be seen if Thames Water will be allowed to go bust or whether the new Labour Government will step in and bail it out but maybe this headline gives us a clue:

“Labour abstain on bid to criminalize water companies for sewage pollution” (Canary: 17/05/24)

[generalelectionmusings]

[insidecroydon]

Labour's letting water companies take the pee with rising bills

ANDREW FISHER on the contradictions, ironies and utter inadequacy of the government’s approach to the water company polluters; plus even more Council Tax rip-offs coming our way At the end of January, the government passed the Water (Special Measures) Bill through Parliament. Labour claims it heralds “tough penalties for law breaking water bosses”, “new powers to ban bonuses for rogue water…

[everything-is-interesting-ldn]

#PoliticsIsInteresting

The general public has been let down by water companies that have paid out £85 billion to shareholders for what is a vital utility. And now, Thames Water has a debt of £15 billion. Once again, it’s the taxpayer set to pay the price.

#ThamesWater

[jasminocorporation]

A Deep Dive into India's Water Treatment Sector: Key Players and Innovations

Water is a precious resource, and in a country as populous as India, ensuring access to clean and safe water is paramount. The water treatment sector in India plays a crucial role in this endeavor, with key players and innovative technologies driving progress in the field.

Understanding India's Water Treatment Sector

India's water treatment sector encompasses a wide range of companies, from large-scale municipal treatment plants to small-scale community initiatives. These companies are tasked with treating water from various sources, including rivers, lakes, and groundwater, to make it safe for consumption and other uses.

Key Players in the Industry

Several key players dominate the water treatment sector in India, each contributing to the advancement of technology and practices in the field. Some of the prominent companies include:

Tata Projects: Known for its expertise in infrastructure development, Tata Projects has a significant presence in the water treatment sector. The company specializes in designing and constructing water treatment plants, with a focus on sustainability and efficiency.

Eureka Forbes: A household name in India, Eureka Forbes is renowned for its water purifiers and filtration systems. The company offers a range of products for both residential and commercial use, providing affordable solutions for clean drinking water.

Ion Exchange: With decades of experience in water treatment, Ion Exchange is a leading player in the industry. The company offers a comprehensive suite of services, including water treatment chemicals, equipment, and consultancy services.

VA Tech Wabag: VA Tech Wabag is a global leader in water and waste water treatment solutions. The company specializes in engineering and executing turnkey projects for water treatment plants, with a focus on innovation and sustainability.

Innovations in Water Treatment Technology

The water treatment sector in India is characterized by continuous innovation, driven by the need for more efficient and sustainable solutions. Some of the notable innovations in water treatment technology include:

Membrane Filtration: Membrane filtration technologies, such as reverse osmosis and ultra-filtration, are widely used in water treatment plants to remove contaminants and impurities from water. These membranes offer high efficiency and reliability in purifying water for various applications.

Advanced Oxidation Processes: Advanced oxidation processes (AOPs) involve the generation of highly reactive oxygen species to oxidize and degrade organic pollutants in water. AOPs are effective in treating waste water and industrial effluents, making them an important technology in the water treatment sector.

Smart Monitoring Systems: With the advent of Internet of Things (IoT) technology, smart monitoring systems are becoming increasingly prevalent in water treatment plants. These systems use sensors and data analytics to monitor water quality in real-time, allowing for proactive management and optimization of treatment processes.

Decentralized Treatment Systems: Decentralized treatment systems, such as modular treatment units and portable filtration units, are gaining popularity in rural and remote areas of India. These systems provide cost-effective solutions for small communities and industries that may not have access to centralized water treatment infrastructure.

Conclusion

India's water treatment sector is at the forefront of efforts to ensure access to clean and safe water for all. With key players driving innovation and advancements in technology, the sector continues to evolve and adapt to the challenges of an increasingly water-stressed world. By embracing sustainability and leveraging cutting-edge solutions, India's water treatment sector is making significant strides towards a future where clean water is accessible to everyone.

If You Want to Read More About Water Treatment Companies in India then Visit the Site: Jasmino

[ianchisnall]

Water Companies: Executive Bonuses for Eastbourne

On Tuesday in Parliament there was a significant discussion on the theme of Water Companies: Executive Bonuses that took place here and none of the Sussex MPs took part. However towards the end of the session one of the MPs was Sarah Dyke, the Liberal Democrat for Somerton and Frome which is on the South West of UK. She spoke about a number of themes and then at the end of her statement she…

[awakenlng369]

NO CLEAN WATER IN UK TILL 2025 - RE: Consultation on Strengthening Civil Sanctions

[alarstar]

[biggest-gaudiest-patronuses]

putting my prediction on record now that the coming decade is going to see the rise of viral-marketed fancy at-home water filtration systems, driving and driven by a drastic reduction in the quality of U.S. tap water (given that we are in a 'replacement era' where our current infrastructure is reaching the end of its lifespan--but isn't being replaced). also guessing that by the 2030s access to drinkable tap water will be a mainstream class issue, with low-income & unstably housed people increasingly forced to rely on expensive bottled water when they can't afford the up-front cost of at-home filtration--and with this being portrayed in media as a "moral failing" and short-sighted "choice," rather than a basic failure of our political & economic systems. really hope i'm just being alarmist, but plenty of this already happens in other countries, and the U.S. is in a state of decline, so. here's praying this post ages into irrelevance. timestamped April 2023

[eaglesnick]

“There is an increasing sense of what can be called legal pollution."   Thomas Ehrlich

Just a few weeks ago the Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs issued a government paper claiming:

“Government cracks down on bonuses for water company bosse. Water bosses are set to be banned from receiving bonuses if a company has committed serious criminal breaches, the Environment Secretary has announced today.” (GOV.UK: 11/02/24)

Figures out today (27/03/24) confirm that 2023 was the worse year for sewage spills on record.

“Figures from the Environment Agency show that there were 477,972 discharges from England’s 14,000 storm overflows in 2023, a 59 per cent increase from the year prior. In total, over 3.5 million hours of sewage spills occurred in 2023, more than double the 1.7 million hours recorded in 2022.”  ( CITYA.M: 27/03/24)

It will be interesting to see how many, if any, water company bosses are actually denied their bonuses this year. I suspect that this DOUBLING of sewage discharges into our waterways and onto our beaches will be explained away as unavoidable and therefore perfectly legal.

As such we, the public, will be made to pay for the much needed investment to improve our sewage disposal systems.

“Water companies will invest a record 14.4 billion – the highest ever in a single year – to help ensure the security of our water supply in the future and significantly reduce the amount of sewage in rivers and seas...the funds raised by increased water bills are guaranteed only to fund improvements in our water and sewage systems." (Water UK: 02/02/24)

To add insult to injury, it will be we the consumer who will be charged extra to fix the problems caused by years of under-investment by the water companies.

Last year alone £1.4bn was paid out to shareholders in the form of dividends.

And since 1991:

“England's privatised water firms paid £57bn in dividends…nearly half the sum they spent on maintaining and improving the countries pipes and treatment plants.” (Guardian: 01/07/20)

In other words, if the greedy water companies had paid a little less in  dividends and a little more on upgrading the system we would have been spared the 3.5 million hours of raw sewage spillage last year and the  massive rise in water bills that is come.

[bloodiegawz]

i love having blorbos to project pain onto

[sleepyminty]

Absolutely losing it that we are now able to be an absolute dick to abnomalities in the new mirror dungeon

Except for lost passenger

[musubiki]

its been a while since my last summer mochi 🌺🏖️

[prettyinaccurate]

merry holidays to everyone, love Graham 💕

[wuthering-tempest]

based off some very real outfits i saw while shopping

they're off to play some volleyball!

[random-jot]

I hadn't seem a direct comparison about this yet, but I can't be the only one who twigged how similar these two scenes were right? Honestly been thinking about this ever since Whole Cake.