Water UK: Culture of innovation should go beyond technical efficiency

• Water UK Chief Executive calls for innovative ways of setting priorities and engaging public perception in water resources management

Sept. 7, 2007 -- Pamela Taylor was speaking at Water UK's Innovation Forum on water resources management in London on 5 September.

"We almost always associate innovation with technical or physical efficiency. In future we'll need a wider definition. For one thing we'll need to learn how to set priorities with more transparent cost and benefit analysis."

Pamela Taylor underlined the industry's achievements but warned against taking anything for granted.

"The need for evidence is where you meet pressure for innovation. Because of course we agree with regulators, think tanks and others that we can't be complacent. We have to build the evidence base. We have to define the role of water efficiency for the next price review, and beyond."

"In one of the most serious droughts in a century the impact on people generally was very small indeed. Was innovation involved? Of course it was. The background was the ability to learn from previous droughts by designing and constructing better local networks.

"The drought put the focus on issues such as water recycling and re-use and compulsory metering that will need to be addressed in the resource plans. We shall have to capture the full range of social and environmental costs and benefits in decision-making. The new plans will take this further than we have ever gone before."

Pamela Taylor pointed to the key role of the government-led Water Saving Group.

"The Water Saving Group is coming forward with some really strong proposals the industry is very pleased to support. Proposals such as changes to water efficiency regulations including: updating the legislation on water restrictions; extending metering; and raising awareness of water stressed areas."

Click here to access the full speech.

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