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Water UK is supporting #binit4beaches this summer. Wet wipes and other hygiene products do not break down after being flushed and can cause havoc in the sewers and the natural environment. Remember, only flush the 3Ps: Pee, Poo and Paper.

Water UK supports the need for further research on both the occurrence of pharmaceutical residues in the environment and their removal in both wastewater and drinking water treatment. By establishing a robust scientific evidence base additional regulations could be considered.

The water sector’s dashboard of information, DiscoverWater.co.uk, has been updated with the latest information from water companies, Ofwat, Drinking Water Inspectorate, the Environment Agency, Natural Resources Wales, and Consumer Council for Water.

Wet wipes are a leading cause of fatbergs and sewer blockages which have a major impact on the environment and contribute to pollution in our rivers and water courses.

Thousands of properties suffer sewer flooding every year in the UK, creating misery for homeowners and businesses, and leading to costly clean-up bills and increased insurance costs.

The Environment Secretary, Andrea Leadsom, has announced plans to ban microbeads in cosmetic and cleaning products in the UK by 2017. This follows a report by the Environmental Audit Committee highlighting the damaging impact they can have on the marine environment.

Water UK has responded to WWF's 'Flushed Away' report.

Differences and tensions have emerged across Europe about the future of EU environmental targets under the Water Framework Directive, the major piece of legislation which impacts on the water sector.

Defra have published their strategic policy statement for the water industry for consultation. This document sets out the government’s strategic priorities for Ofwat’s regulation of the water sector in England.

Water UK, through Eureau, is joining a three-year European Commission work programme to develop a best available technology reference document for oil and gas, which will take full consideration of environmental protection. Over the past four years, Water UK's positioning has focused on ensuring that if shale gas developments are to take place, they can do so with the water utility fully involved and with water and wastewater concerns addressed from the outset.

Regulations under the Town and Country Planning Act that will make water companies statutory consultees for fracking were laid before Parliament last week and are due to come into force in mid-April.

The extraction of shale gas poses potential risks to groundwater reserves, for example through contamination with chemicals used in the fracking process. However, the Infrastructure Act, passed last month, will help mitigate these risks. It states that water companies will need to be consulted for all planning applications involving the boring for, or getting of, oil and natural gas from shale.