Sludge Matters

Climate change will have many direct and indirect effects on the quality and quantity of available water and will therefore impact on water services. The water sector must get involved in the local/regional/national crisis management. Water operators response needs to encompass both mitigation and adaptation. Listen to Caroline talk to Gilbert Nordenswan from Svenskt Vatten discuss why climate change matters. Music: Ron Gelinas; Windsurfing

How consumers receive their water services depends on their national, regional and even local authority.  Water governance can provide an overview about what kind of services water users or water customers get, how and why they pay for these services and who is responsible for ensuring that drinking water and waste water services are safely managed. Find out why water governance matters in this episode, with Carla Chiaretti! Music: Ron Gelinas; Windsurfing

Across Europe, our water services are mainly financed through the three T’s – taxes, tariffs and transfers. Are these sustainable enough to meet the challenges facing our sector and the compliance needed under EU legislation? We talk to Xavier Leflaive from the OECD about how why financing matters.  Music: Ron Gelinas; Windsurfing

Most of us give little thought to how our water arrives at our taps or how it is treated before being returned to the environment, but maybe we should value this essential service more than we do. In this episode, Klara Ramm talks to Caroline about why our water services matter. Music: Ron Gelinas; Windsurfing

Taxonomy will have a great impact on the water sector. But what is it and how will it affect our water services. Hear why taxonomy matters with Luigi del Giacco from Utilitalia.  Music - Ron Gelinas - Windsurfing

We talk to Denis Bonvillain about the EU's Green Deal and what this means for the European water sector.    Music: Ron Gelinas; 'Windsurfing'

Our sector constantly balances keeping our consumers supplied with adequate supplies of safe and affordable water while protecting the environment. We chat with Gari Villa Landa Soklova from AEAS in Spain to discuss the biggest challenges facing the water sector, from protection to infrastructure, sustainability to investment.

Water services are essential services as we have seen during the Covid-19 pandemic. Water operators have to continuously protect public health through the supply of high-quality drinking water and they have to protect the environment through the treatment of urban waste water.  Caroline chats to Veronica Manfredi, Director for Quality of Life – which includes water – in the European Commission about why the EU cares for and legislates on our water. 

Waste water can be a sustainable source of energy, producing enough to heat our homes and power transport. But how? Ole Steensberg Øgelund from the Svendborg waste water treatment plant in Denmark joins Caroline to discuss all things energy and water. 

Sarah Gillman joins Caroline to talk about everything you could ever want to ask about sludge. Listen to this rather surprising episode, as the true story of sludge is probably very different to what you think it is!