The Independent Water Commissionâs Review of the Water Sector in England and Wales, released on 21 July, may have produced less public furore than anticipated – in part as many of its recommendations targeted the regulators rather than the water companies. But there are signs that another sectoral issue may be about to break loose.
In June this year, a public letter signed by representatives of 25 bodies called on the UK Government to update the testing and regulatory regime for application of sewage sludge to land – in particular to take account of emerging pollutants such as âforever chemicalsâ. The story was taken up on BBC News and in other media outlets but did not reach full public lift-off.  At the end of July, CIWEMâs Director of Policy Alastair Chisholm tackled the problem in an item headed Should we be putting sewage sludge on land anymore?, and noted that CIWEM will soon publish a new policy position statement on biosolids.
The issues raised here and by many other expert sources are serious, and must not be ignored. They are certainly not going to disappear  – and will grab public attention sooner rather than later. A sudden upsurge in concern and mobilisation of opinion against the practice of land disposal for wastewater biosolids will have a dramatic impact on a water industry already facing major challenges on other fronts.
Proactive approaches to gathering evidence, developing solutions and managing the necessary changes are vital, and cooperation and immediate commitment is needed from government, regulators and the industry.