Alastair Chisholm
@alastairchisholm.bsky.social
Director of Policy at the Chartered Institution of Water and Environmental Management. Passionate about managing land + water better for people + nature. Views my own.
Reposted by Alastair Chisholm
September MiniPod out today with @alastairchisholm.bsky.social joining us to discuss:
- what UK govt will action after many reviews and reports into Water
- who should inform people about drought?
- What are Sponge Cities and how can they help us meet enviro challenges
🎧⬇️
bity.ly/PP_MiniPod_Sep25
- what UK govt will action after many reviews and reports into Water
- who should inform people about drought?
- What are Sponge Cities and how can they help us meet enviro challenges
🎧⬇️
bity.ly/PP_MiniPod_Sep25
September 25, 2025 at 8:04 AM
September MiniPod out today with @alastairchisholm.bsky.social joining us to discuss:
- what UK govt will action after many reviews and reports into Water
- who should inform people about drought?
- What are Sponge Cities and how can they help us meet enviro challenges
🎧⬇️
bity.ly/PP_MiniPod_Sep25
- what UK govt will action after many reviews and reports into Water
- who should inform people about drought?
- What are Sponge Cities and how can they help us meet enviro challenges
🎧⬇️
bity.ly/PP_MiniPod_Sep25
Reposted by Alastair Chisholm
The UK is getting drier. Could reusing greywater help?
🗣️ With comment from CIWEM's Alastair Chisholm and The Rivers Trust's Mark Lloyd.
@theriverstrust.bsky.social
@alastairchisholm.bsky.social
www.theguardian.com/environment/...
🗣️ With comment from CIWEM's Alastair Chisholm and The Rivers Trust's Mark Lloyd.
@theriverstrust.bsky.social
@alastairchisholm.bsky.social
www.theguardian.com/environment/...
The UK is getting drier. Could reusing greywater help?
Experts say the average Briton uses too much water per day and societal change needs to start today to tackle looming water crisis
www.theguardian.com
June 24, 2025 at 9:18 AM
The UK is getting drier. Could reusing greywater help?
🗣️ With comment from CIWEM's Alastair Chisholm and The Rivers Trust's Mark Lloyd.
@theriverstrust.bsky.social
@alastairchisholm.bsky.social
www.theguardian.com/environment/...
🗣️ With comment from CIWEM's Alastair Chisholm and The Rivers Trust's Mark Lloyd.
@theriverstrust.bsky.social
@alastairchisholm.bsky.social
www.theguardian.com/environment/...
If reservoirs alone or tackling leakage won't save us from water scarcity & with flood risk on the rise, we need an overarching National Rainwater Strategy to inform water management in developments.
Rainwater reuse & SuDS.
The benefits would be big. More: www.ewsc.org.uk/project-repo...
Rainwater reuse & SuDS.
The benefits would be big. More: www.ewsc.org.uk/project-repo...
May 30, 2025 at 11:40 AM
If reservoirs alone or tackling leakage won't save us from water scarcity & with flood risk on the rise, we need an overarching National Rainwater Strategy to inform water management in developments.
Rainwater reuse & SuDS.
The benefits would be big. More: www.ewsc.org.uk/project-repo...
Rainwater reuse & SuDS.
The benefits would be big. More: www.ewsc.org.uk/project-repo...
Great piece by @itvnews.bsky.social on why the UK still won't have enough water despite building new reservoirs, and some of the other approaches that could unlock water resilient housing and wider economic growth in water scarce areas. @ciwem.bsky.social
www.youtube.com/watch?v=ykj5...
www.youtube.com/watch?v=ykj5...
Why the UK still won't have enough water despite building new reservoirs | ITV News
YouTube video by ITV News
www.youtube.com
May 30, 2025 at 11:19 AM
Great piece by @itvnews.bsky.social on why the UK still won't have enough water despite building new reservoirs, and some of the other approaches that could unlock water resilient housing and wider economic growth in water scarce areas. @ciwem.bsky.social
www.youtube.com/watch?v=ykj5...
www.youtube.com/watch?v=ykj5...
On every level allowing special dispensation for Thames would be a disaster + set a horrendous precedent.
- Other companies- why bother to comply?
- Govt elected on a mandate to clean up rivers/ seas seen as utter frauds
- Regulators a total laughing stock
www.theguardian.com/business/nil...
- Other companies- why bother to comply?
- Govt elected on a mandate to clean up rivers/ seas seen as utter frauds
- Regulators a total laughing stock
www.theguardian.com/business/nil...
A torrent of special pleas from Thames Water
Company hopes to win big compromises from regulators to get its financial restructuring over the line
www.theguardian.com
May 14, 2025 at 7:41 AM
On every level allowing special dispensation for Thames would be a disaster + set a horrendous precedent.
- Other companies- why bother to comply?
- Govt elected on a mandate to clean up rivers/ seas seen as utter frauds
- Regulators a total laughing stock
www.theguardian.com/business/nil...
- Other companies- why bother to comply?
- Govt elected on a mandate to clean up rivers/ seas seen as utter frauds
- Regulators a total laughing stock
www.theguardian.com/business/nil...
That hosepipe bans are one of the first drought measures implemented shows how effective water efficiency is. Home visits are an important part of longer-term programmes. In the SE, 1/2 of new water needs are to leave more in the environment @adamvaughan.bsky.social. www.thetimes.com/uk/environme...
Southern Water pauses water-saving scheme despite drought fears
The company’s home visits will be put on hold at the end of June — potentially during the peak of concern over water supplies and hosepipe bans
www.thetimes.com
May 13, 2025 at 10:21 AM
That hosepipe bans are one of the first drought measures implemented shows how effective water efficiency is. Home visits are an important part of longer-term programmes. In the SE, 1/2 of new water needs are to leave more in the environment @adamvaughan.bsky.social. www.thetimes.com/uk/environme...
Reposted by Alastair Chisholm
@alastairchisholm.bsky.social, CIWEM policy director, has warned that although measures like upgrading infrastructure and fixing leakage are important, “ministers can’t keep pushing the focus onto water companies and failing to look at the impact of their own housing growth".
More @endsreport.com ⬇️
More @endsreport.com ⬇️
Water companies urged to prepare for ‘possible’ summer drought after driest spring in decades
Water companies have been urged to prepare for a medium risk of summer drought following the driest Spring since 1961, after a meeting of the National Drought Group on Wednesday.
www.endsreport.com
May 8, 2025 at 9:27 AM
@alastairchisholm.bsky.social, CIWEM policy director, has warned that although measures like upgrading infrastructure and fixing leakage are important, “ministers can’t keep pushing the focus onto water companies and failing to look at the impact of their own housing growth".
More @endsreport.com ⬇️
More @endsreport.com ⬇️
1) The National Drought Group meet on Wednesday. Water companies likely to activate drought plans. Early action is important to mitigate the impacts seen on nature and agriculture and preserve public water supplies in case of a hot dry summer. www.theguardian.com/environment/...
England faces drought this summer as reservoir water levels dwindle
Exclusive: Government and water firms preparing for possible shortages as dry weather is expected to continue
www.theguardian.com
May 6, 2025 at 5:19 PM
1) The National Drought Group meet on Wednesday. Water companies likely to activate drought plans. Early action is important to mitigate the impacts seen on nature and agriculture and preserve public water supplies in case of a hot dry summer. www.theguardian.com/environment/...
Severn Trent water say they won't be putting on a hosepipe ban this year. www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
No hosepipe ban in 2025 for Midlands, says Severn Trent
The water firm says there are no plans for a ban despite the increasingly warm weather.
www.bbc.co.uk
May 6, 2025 at 10:39 AM
Severn Trent water say they won't be putting on a hosepipe ban this year. www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Will there be drought this year and if so, what lessons from 2022 were learned?
It's certainly dry so far this year compared to many previous drought years.
We'll likely need 2012-esque wet early summer to pull back from the brink.
📢Blog / position here: www.ciwem.org/news/managin...
It's certainly dry so far this year compared to many previous drought years.
We'll likely need 2012-esque wet early summer to pull back from the brink.
📢Blog / position here: www.ciwem.org/news/managin...
May 6, 2025 at 10:21 AM
Will there be drought this year and if so, what lessons from 2022 were learned?
It's certainly dry so far this year compared to many previous drought years.
We'll likely need 2012-esque wet early summer to pull back from the brink.
📢Blog / position here: www.ciwem.org/news/managin...
It's certainly dry so far this year compared to many previous drought years.
We'll likely need 2012-esque wet early summer to pull back from the brink.
📢Blog / position here: www.ciwem.org/news/managin...
It’s utter lunacy.
Nature & green access aside, how can on one hand govt confirm raised ambition for heat pumps & solar then on the other light a fire under the urban heat island effect?
The same week its statutory climate advisers warn its progress on climate adaptation is beyond useless…
Nature & green access aside, how can on one hand govt confirm raised ambition for heat pumps & solar then on the other light a fire under the urban heat island effect?
The same week its statutory climate advisers warn its progress on climate adaptation is beyond useless…
May 2, 2025 at 3:35 PM
It’s utter lunacy.
Nature & green access aside, how can on one hand govt confirm raised ambition for heat pumps & solar then on the other light a fire under the urban heat island effect?
The same week its statutory climate advisers warn its progress on climate adaptation is beyond useless…
Nature & green access aside, how can on one hand govt confirm raised ambition for heat pumps & solar then on the other light a fire under the urban heat island effect?
The same week its statutory climate advisers warn its progress on climate adaptation is beyond useless…
Wales has had 30% less rainfall than this point in 2022. In extreme dry conditions, areas with surface water reservoir storage feel the pinch most quickly.
Welsh water starting to encourage people to use less. Expect this kind of messaging to spread.
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Welsh water starting to encourage people to use less. Expect this kind of messaging to spread.
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Records break for hottest start to May in Wales
The new record for 1 May in Wales has seen temperatures 10 degrees above average.
www.bbc.co.uk
May 2, 2025 at 11:02 AM
Wales has had 30% less rainfall than this point in 2022. In extreme dry conditions, areas with surface water reservoir storage feel the pinch most quickly.
Welsh water starting to encourage people to use less. Expect this kind of messaging to spread.
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Welsh water starting to encourage people to use less. Expect this kind of messaging to spread.
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Govt has some oven-ready wins to address failings identified in yesterday's @thecccuk.bsky.social climate progress report.
In fact the last Labour government set them up.
Whilst Labour loves to point to past Tory water failures, it also needs to get on and act.
www.ciwem.org/news/governm...
In fact the last Labour government set them up.
Whilst Labour loves to point to past Tory water failures, it also needs to get on and act.
www.ciwem.org/news/governm...
Government can’t hide behind Tories on lack of climate adaptation action - CIWEM
CIWEM policy director Alastair Chisholm says the government has easy opportunities to demonstrate its climate adaptation credentials.
www.ciwem.org
May 1, 2025 at 9:33 AM
Govt has some oven-ready wins to address failings identified in yesterday's @thecccuk.bsky.social climate progress report.
In fact the last Labour government set them up.
Whilst Labour loves to point to past Tory water failures, it also needs to get on and act.
www.ciwem.org/news/governm...
In fact the last Labour government set them up.
Whilst Labour loves to point to past Tory water failures, it also needs to get on and act.
www.ciwem.org/news/governm...
1) This spring feels not dissimilar to 2022 when we last had drought and heatwaves. Except it's arguably drier. Whether we see drought measures later in the year depends on the next couple of months.
inews.co.uk/news/summer-...
inews.co.uk/news/summer-...
Hosepipe bans loom after dry spring and mini heatwave
Those who do not follow a hosepipe ban can be prosecuted through criminal courts and fined up to £1,000
inews.co.uk
May 1, 2025 at 8:52 AM
1) This spring feels not dissimilar to 2022 when we last had drought and heatwaves. Except it's arguably drier. Whether we see drought measures later in the year depends on the next couple of months.
inews.co.uk/news/summer-...
inews.co.uk/news/summer-...
1) Latest climate report "blistering" says
@seabrookclimate.bsky.social. Govt is keen to blame state of flood defences, water infrastructure etc on Tories. But it is feet-dragging/ backsliding on key flood/ drought resilience policies Tories were planning. news.sky.com/story/govern...
@seabrookclimate.bsky.social. Govt is keen to blame state of flood defences, water infrastructure etc on Tories. But it is feet-dragging/ backsliding on key flood/ drought resilience policies Tories were planning. news.sky.com/story/govern...
Government warned it is setting country up for 'disaster' unless it better prepares UK for heavy flooding and intense heat
After deadly flooding in Valencia and fierce LA wildfires, climate advisers in the UK have issued a stark warning the country is unprepared to cope with a hotter world.
news.sky.com
April 30, 2025 at 8:26 AM
1) Latest climate report "blistering" says
@seabrookclimate.bsky.social. Govt is keen to blame state of flood defences, water infrastructure etc on Tories. But it is feet-dragging/ backsliding on key flood/ drought resilience policies Tories were planning. news.sky.com/story/govern...
@seabrookclimate.bsky.social. Govt is keen to blame state of flood defences, water infrastructure etc on Tories. But it is feet-dragging/ backsliding on key flood/ drought resilience policies Tories were planning. news.sky.com/story/govern...
1) Govt advisors have warned countless times of need to better prepare for floods.
@thecccuk.bsky.social no doubt will imminently
@commonseac.parliament.uk currently investigating
Ministers know what needs to be done but housebuilding seemingly trumps all else - & communities suffer.
t.co/sxrymfXLpY
@thecccuk.bsky.social no doubt will imminently
@commonseac.parliament.uk currently investigating
Ministers know what needs to be done but housebuilding seemingly trumps all else - & communities suffer.
t.co/sxrymfXLpY
File on 4 Investigates - Hell and High Water: Are we ready for the floods? - BBC Sounds
Is enough being done to protect people from flooding?
www.bbc.co.uk
April 29, 2025 at 2:53 PM
1) Govt advisors have warned countless times of need to better prepare for floods.
@thecccuk.bsky.social no doubt will imminently
@commonseac.parliament.uk currently investigating
Ministers know what needs to be done but housebuilding seemingly trumps all else - & communities suffer.
t.co/sxrymfXLpY
@thecccuk.bsky.social no doubt will imminently
@commonseac.parliament.uk currently investigating
Ministers know what needs to be done but housebuilding seemingly trumps all else - & communities suffer.
t.co/sxrymfXLpY
Reposted by Alastair Chisholm
It's hard to get your head around the scale of the environmental vandalism the Labour government is hoping to unleash. The Planning and Infrastructure Bill is up there with Trump's executive orders. And the reason is the same: corporate power.
This week's column.
www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
This week's column.
www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
Labour’s great nature sellout is the worst attack on England’s ecosystems I’ve seen in my lifetime | George Monbiot
The horrifying planning bill, which rips up environmental protections, was drafted with CEOs in mind. We know because Keir Starmer told us, says Guardian columnist George Monbiot
www.theguardian.com
April 24, 2025 at 6:34 AM
It's hard to get your head around the scale of the environmental vandalism the Labour government is hoping to unleash. The Planning and Infrastructure Bill is up there with Trump's executive orders. And the reason is the same: corporate power.
This week's column.
www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
This week's column.
www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
What do we need to make a resilient water system?
1/8) Firstly, water sector to improve pollution performance:
- Treated sewage effluent,
- storm overflows,
- appropriate regulation of biosolids,
- helping identify drain misconnections,
- good asset maintenance.
@peopleswater.bsky.social
1/8) Firstly, water sector to improve pollution performance:
- Treated sewage effluent,
- storm overflows,
- appropriate regulation of biosolids,
- helping identify drain misconnections,
- good asset maintenance.
@peopleswater.bsky.social
@al_chisholm tells The People's Commission what we need to secure a resilient water system youtu.be/wRtK29qg8Vo?si… 1. Mandatory water efficiency labelling 2. Ambitious building standards to save water 3. Drinking water just for drinking. 4.Local people deciding priorities
April 4, 2025 at 9:23 AM
What do we need to make a resilient water system?
1/8) Firstly, water sector to improve pollution performance:
- Treated sewage effluent,
- storm overflows,
- appropriate regulation of biosolids,
- helping identify drain misconnections,
- good asset maintenance.
@peopleswater.bsky.social
1/8) Firstly, water sector to improve pollution performance:
- Treated sewage effluent,
- storm overflows,
- appropriate regulation of biosolids,
- helping identify drain misconnections,
- good asset maintenance.
@peopleswater.bsky.social
Earth's storage of water in soil, lakes and rivers is dwindling.
Earth's soil moisture dropped by over 2,000 GIGATONS in roughly the last 20 years.
It's especially impacting ability to produce food. We have to get our soils back to better health.
www.independent.co.uk/news/earth-s...
Earth's soil moisture dropped by over 2,000 GIGATONS in roughly the last 20 years.
It's especially impacting ability to produce food. We have to get our soils back to better health.
www.independent.co.uk/news/earth-s...
Earth’s storage of water in soil, lakes and rivers is dwindling. And it’s especially bad for farming
New research finds that global warming has significantly reduced the amount of water that’s being stored around the world in soil, lakes, rivers, snow and other places on land
www.independent.co.uk
March 28, 2025 at 10:05 AM
Earth's storage of water in soil, lakes and rivers is dwindling.
Earth's soil moisture dropped by over 2,000 GIGATONS in roughly the last 20 years.
It's especially impacting ability to produce food. We have to get our soils back to better health.
www.independent.co.uk/news/earth-s...
Earth's soil moisture dropped by over 2,000 GIGATONS in roughly the last 20 years.
It's especially impacting ability to produce food. We have to get our soils back to better health.
www.independent.co.uk/news/earth-s...
(1/4) Amongst understandable anger at latest #sewage overflow data, govt's messaging on investment to clean up is consistently misleading.
Government didn't "secure" investment, and "private sector" points to the financing mechanism, not who really pays.
Government didn't "secure" investment, and "private sector" points to the financing mechanism, not who really pays.
March 28, 2025 at 9:16 AM
(1/4) Amongst understandable anger at latest #sewage overflow data, govt's messaging on investment to clean up is consistently misleading.
Government didn't "secure" investment, and "private sector" points to the financing mechanism, not who really pays.
Government didn't "secure" investment, and "private sector" points to the financing mechanism, not who really pays.
No funds are committed to manage flood risk in England past 2026.
2 million people affected by flooding / yr, causing £2.4bn damages.
"The government was elected on a promise of 1.5m new houses - these homes must be fit to keep people safe."
New Research: www.publicfirst.co.uk/from-risk-to...
2 million people affected by flooding / yr, causing £2.4bn damages.
"The government was elected on a promise of 1.5m new houses - these homes must be fit to keep people safe."
New Research: www.publicfirst.co.uk/from-risk-to...
From risk to resilience: The case for flood-resilient communities, economy and growth - Public First
This report sets out new Public First economic and opinion research on the impact of flooding with immediate recommendations for policymakers.
www.publicfirst.co.uk
March 20, 2025 at 9:21 AM
No funds are committed to manage flood risk in England past 2026.
2 million people affected by flooding / yr, causing £2.4bn damages.
"The government was elected on a promise of 1.5m new houses - these homes must be fit to keep people safe."
New Research: www.publicfirst.co.uk/from-risk-to...
2 million people affected by flooding / yr, causing £2.4bn damages.
"The government was elected on a promise of 1.5m new houses - these homes must be fit to keep people safe."
New Research: www.publicfirst.co.uk/from-risk-to...
Encouraging to hear govt championing the "urgent need" for water efficiency at last.
It's trumpeted reservoirs, but now we need it to drive forward mandatory water efficiency labelling, building regs standards, and water quality regs updates to enable rainwater reuse.
www.gov.uk/government/n...
It's trumpeted reservoirs, but now we need it to drive forward mandatory water efficiency labelling, building regs standards, and water quality regs updates to enable rainwater reuse.
www.gov.uk/government/n...
Securing a sustainable water future for the South East
Environment Secretary Steve Reed visited Havant Thicket reservoir, which will help future-proof water supply in the South East.
www.gov.uk
March 13, 2025 at 10:31 AM
Encouraging to hear govt championing the "urgent need" for water efficiency at last.
It's trumpeted reservoirs, but now we need it to drive forward mandatory water efficiency labelling, building regs standards, and water quality regs updates to enable rainwater reuse.
www.gov.uk/government/n...
It's trumpeted reservoirs, but now we need it to drive forward mandatory water efficiency labelling, building regs standards, and water quality regs updates to enable rainwater reuse.
www.gov.uk/government/n...
Further evidence on the value (multiple benefits and ROI) of natural flood management.
These kinds of distributed measures need to be deployed at a landscape scale in upper catchments above the increasing number of at-risk communities.
www.wildlifetrusts.org/news/new-res...
These kinds of distributed measures need to be deployed at a landscape scale in upper catchments above the increasing number of at-risk communities.
www.wildlifetrusts.org/news/new-res...
New research finds that Wildlife Trust natural flood management schemes deliver £10 of benefits for every £1 invested | The Wildlife Trusts
Government and businesses urged to invest in beaver dams, bogs and ponds
www.wildlifetrusts.org
March 13, 2025 at 10:26 AM
Further evidence on the value (multiple benefits and ROI) of natural flood management.
These kinds of distributed measures need to be deployed at a landscape scale in upper catchments above the increasing number of at-risk communities.
www.wildlifetrusts.org/news/new-res...
These kinds of distributed measures need to be deployed at a landscape scale in upper catchments above the increasing number of at-risk communities.
www.wildlifetrusts.org/news/new-res...
Unquestionably, Windermere should be cleaned up, and there are various options to do this.
Govt should talk about these rather than potentially making itself hostage to fortune through soundbites pointing to the most extreme outcome.
inews.co.uk/news/why-pla...
Govt should talk about these rather than potentially making itself hostage to fortune through soundbites pointing to the most extreme outcome.
inews.co.uk/news/why-pla...
Why plans to stop sewage pouring into Windermere may never happen
The Government announces a 'long-term ambition' to ensure 'only rainwater' ends up in Windermere, but some experts are sceptical
inews.co.uk
March 11, 2025 at 8:42 AM
Unquestionably, Windermere should be cleaned up, and there are various options to do this.
Govt should talk about these rather than potentially making itself hostage to fortune through soundbites pointing to the most extreme outcome.
inews.co.uk/news/why-pla...
Govt should talk about these rather than potentially making itself hostage to fortune through soundbites pointing to the most extreme outcome.
inews.co.uk/news/why-pla...