Environmental regulation in England is not operating as effectively or strategically as it should, risking poor environmental outcomes and weakening confidence in enforcement, according to a new report from the National Audit Office (NAO). The watchdog’s report, Environmental regulation, concludes that while regulators and Defra share clear objectives to protect the environment and minimise unnecessary burdens on business, weaknesses in data, skills, digital capability and strategic coordination are limiting their ability to regulate consistently and at scale. The findings are particularly relevant to the UK water and wastewater industry, which…
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THE HIDDEN OCEAN COST OF CARBON: WHY CLIMATE DAMAGE IS NEARLY TWICE AS HIGH AS WE THOUGHT
According to an international study featuring CMCC scientists, the true economic damage of climate change has been vastly underestimated – because the ocean has been left out of the equation. By integrating the latest ocean science into climate-economic models, researchers found that accounting for climate impacts on marine ecosystems and ocean-dependent infrastructure nearly doubles the social cost of carbon. The hidden ocean cost is estimated at $48 per tonne of CO₂, a figure they say should be added to current policy calculations. A new paper involving CMCC scientists Francesco Granella,…
Read MoreGrundfos & Frost & Sullivan Successfully Host Industry Customer Conclave 2026 in New Delhi
Industry leaders, policymakers, and sustainability experts deliberate on circular water systems, industrial resilience, and future-ready cooling solutions New Delhi, India | 24 April 2026: Grundfos India, in partnership with Frost & Sullivan, successfully concluded the Industry Customer Conclave 2026 at ITC Maurya, New Delhi, bringing together senior leaders from industry, government bodies, sustainability organizations, infrastructure sectors, and technology companies for a focused dialogue on the future of industrial water management and sustainable industrial growth in India. The conclave served as a high-level platform to address some of the most critical challenges and opportunities shaping India’s…
Read MoreNEW STUDY FINDS HIGHER LEVELS OF ANTIMICROBIAL RESISTANCE (AMR) IN SURFACE WATER DURING WINTER
A new study from The James Hutton Institute, Scotland’s pre-eminent interdisciplinary scientific research institute for the sustainable management of land, crop and nature resources, has found that the levels of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) present in surface water increase during winter. AMR occurs when microorganisms such as bacteria acquire new genes to help defend against medications designed to kill or inhibit them. These AMR genes present a severe threat to public health, as they reduce the effectiveness of antibiotics and other medications, making it more difficult to treat common infections. While…
Read MoreUK GOVERNMENT UNVEILS BIGGEST OVERHAUL OF WATER SECTOR IN A GENERATION
A new once-in-a-generation plan to overhaul the water system has been unveiled today (Tuesday 20 January) by the UK government, with the publication of the much anticipated Water White Paper. The policy paper, ‘A new vision for water’ sets out clear powers for the new regulator, delivering tougher oversight and stronger accountability for water companies. For the first time in two decades, a Chief Engineer will sit inside the new single water regulator to bring back hands-on checks of water infrastructure, which the government says will end the days of…
Read MoreJAL JEEVAN MISSION EXTENDED TO 2028 WITH FOCUS ON “NAL JAL MITRAS”
As of early February 2026, the Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM) has achieved a significant milestone, providing tap water connections to over 81.5% of rural households. To ensure the long-term sustainability of this massive infrastructure, the government has officially announced the extension of the mission until December 2028. The new phase of the mission shifts focus from “infrastructure creation” to “operational excellence.” A key component of this strategy is the Nal Jal Mitra Programme, a collaboration with the Ministry of Skill Development to train local villagers in maintenance and water quality…
Read MoreNGT MANDATES IMMEDIATE SEWAGE INTERCEPTION FOR DELHI’S JJ CLUSTERS
The National Green Tribunal (NGT) has issued a stern directive to the Delhi Urban Shelter Improvement Board (DUSIB) and the Delhi Jal Board (DJB) to intercept untreated sewage from eight major JJ clusters. The order, delivered on February 3, aims to prevent the direct discharge of waste into the Barapullah drain, a major contributor to Yamuna River pollution. The DJB has proposed the installation of modular Decentralized Sewage Treatment Plants (DSTPs) at specific discharge points to tackle the issue at the source. This intervention highlights a growing regulatory shift toward…
Read MoreDELHI CM ANNOUNCES 105 MGD WATER TREATMENT PLANT AT CHANDRAWAL
Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta has announced the construction of a state-of-the-art 105 million gallons per day (MGD) water treatment plant at Chandrawal. The project, estimated at ₹599 crore, is a critical move to strengthen the capital’s water infrastructure ahead of the 2026 summer season. Once commissioned, the plant is expected to benefit approximately 11% of Delhi’s population, specifically targeting high-density areas like Karol Bagh, Sadar Bazar, and Chandni Chowk. The project also includes a massive ₹1,331 crore investment into replacing aging distribution pipelines. A primary objective of this overhaul…
Read MoreCENTRE ROLLS OUT ₹235 CRORES PORT PROJECTS IN TAMIL NADU; SARBANANDA SONOWAL SAYS BOOST TO MARITIME-LED GROWTH
Addressing the “Viksit Bharat, Viksit Ports” programme in Chennai, Sarbananda Sonowal said the projects underscore the Centre’s commitment to building globally competitive, climate-resilient and digitally enabled ports, while improving ease of doing business (EODB) and coastal safety. “Prime Minister Narendra Modi ji provides the vision and leadership that drives India’s maritime transformation,” Sarbananda Sonowal said. “We are modernising ports, strengthening coastal resilience, digitising operations & expanding trade facilitation so that Indian ports emerge as engines of growth, national self-reliance and global competitiveness.” Of the total outlay, ₹129.36 crore covers projects…
Read MoreHSIIDC FINALISES ₹490 CRORE WATER MANAGEMENT PLAN FOR MANESAR TILL 2031
The Haryana State Industrial and Infrastructure Development Corporation has finalised a long-term water management proposal to address rising demand in the fast-urbanising residential and industrial areas of Manesar, officials said. The plan, to be implemented in four phases by 2031, focuses on supplying both fresh and recycled water while reducing wastewater discharge into drains. According to officials, the decentralised project, estimated at ₹490.59 crore, includes a new raw water outlet near the Transport Hub within the Industrial Model Township and the construction of multiple modular water treatment plants, along with…
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