ICE responds to Water White Paper
Commenting on the publication of the Water White Paper today Chair of ICE’s water panel Michael Norton said the body welcomed Government’s recognition of the value of water to society and for economic growth.
“Increasing pressures on water services are having a major impact on water resources so the commitment to drive forward strategic national infrastructure projects and measures to encourage water storage are very important.
”We also would have liked to see more acknowledgement of the UK’s high dependence on ‘virtual water’ embedded in imported goods. Businesses and domestic users alike need to be aware of their ‘water footprint’ and Government needs to drive this by setting the agenda for change.”
ICE is producing an in-depth State of the Nation: Water report in 2012 and will be working closely with Defra.
Media contacts
Emily Beadon, ICE Media Relations Manager, 0207 665 2261, emily.beadon@ice.org.uk
Notes to editors
The Institution of Civil Engineers (ICE) is a leading source of professional expertise in transport, water supply and treatment, flood management, waste and energy. Established in 1818, it has over 80,000 members throughout the world including over 60,000 in the UK. ICE’s vision is to place civil engineering the heart of society, delivering sustainable development through knowledge, skills and professional expertise. The ICE has long worked with the government of the day to help it to achieve its objectives, and has worked with industry to ensure that construction and civil engineering remain major contributors to the UK economy and UK exports.