Country info:Wales - background information
Link back to the main Wales country page: Wales
Organisations:
Blueprint for water is a campaign of the Wildlife and Countryside Link. Wildlife and Countryside Link is an umbrella body, whose purpose is to bring together voluntary organisations in the UK to protect and enhance wildlife, landscape and the marine environment, and to further the quiet enjoyment and appreciation of the countryside. From their homepage, go to Water and follow the links to Blueprint for Water. Catchment Science Centre Centre for River Ecosystem Science European Centre for River Restoration European Network of Freshwater Research Organisations European Rivers Network European Union of Water Management Associations European Water Association European Water Resources Association Freshwater Biological Association Global Water Partnership National Farmers Union The NFU trade association is the largest farming organisation is the in the UK. Its mission is to "champion British farming and provides professional representation and services to its Farmer and Grower members". River Science Network The Angling Trust Information about fishing, fighting pollution, protecting fish stocks, campaigning for anglers' rights and how to enter competitions. The Ramsar Convention on Wetlands The Rivers Trust Wild Trout Trust The Wild Trout Trust stimulates hands-on, in-the-water projects, helping others to help themselves with habitat improvement in and around rivers and lakes. Worldwide Fund for Nature - UK WWF-UK is the UK arm of the WWF Network. Using a combination of practical experience, knowledge and credibility, to work with governments, businesses and communities both here in the UK and around the world so that people and nature thrive within their fair share of the planet's natural resources.
Environment Agency, Welsh Government and Defra links
- Estuary Edges design guidance
Design guidance for developments in and around an estuary. This guide provides information on how to make the most our of the local estuarine environment. - Mitigation measures manual
Water Framework Directive online mitigation manual - catchment based approach
- Drought
- dredging guidance
If you are planning or regulating any marine dredging or disposal activities, this guide will help you to understand and comply with the Water Framework Directive - Hi Flows UK
- water quality
- water resources strategy
- Defra water
- Welsh Government: water and flooding
Professional Bodies
Professional and examining body for scientists, engineers, other environmental professionals, students and those committed to the sustainable management and development of water and the environment.
European Union of national associations of water suppliers and waste water services.
Information on current issues in civil engineering.
Site offers water industry news and current events and water-related links.
Site contains publishing, IWA and industry news, details of events and an online catalogue of publications.
Website gives details of research on emergency relief for refugees, knowledge transfer, solid waste management, transport, urban services and water and sanitation.
Industry association that represents all UK water and wastewater service suppliers at national and European level.
Information on product testing and professional certification of all water users. Consumer questions and concerns about drinking water, regarding health quality and taste issues. Including the 2001 National consumer water quality survey and WQA's glossary of terms.
Government organisations
Responsible for maintaining the UK's inland waterway network.
Communities and Local Government department
Welsh Government's statutory adviser on sustaining natural beauty, wildlife and outdoor activities in Wales.
Delivers a valuable government-funded programme of free, confidential advice to UK businesses. This assistance enables companies to increase profitability and reduce environmental impact.
Provides decision-makers with the information needed for making effective polices to protect the environment and support sustainable development.
The government department responsible for the protection and expansion of Britain's forests and woodlands. Their responsibilities span research, commercial timber production, sustainability programmes and policy, as well as learning and leisure.
The Government's wildlife adviser.
The Marine Management Organisation (MMO) has been established to make a significant contribution to sustainable development in the marine area and to promote the UK government’s vision for clean, healthy, safe, productive and biologically diverse oceans and seas.
Useful journals
Campaigns and Charities
Campaigns for clean recreational water, free from sewage effluents, toxic chemicals, nuclear waste and marine litter.
Giving the world's poor access to safe water, sanitation and hygiene education.
Research
Undertakes and disseminates research into the natural changes in and human impact on water resources, including groundwater, and advises government.
Aquatic scientific research and consultancy centre.
Shares and disseminates knowledge about water, wastewater and related environmental issues. Contains forums on Cryptosporidium, Environmental Economics, Eutrophication, Groundwater and Wastewater. The site also includes website links, acronyms and FWR publications.
Hydrology
The Society caters for those with an interest in the inter-disciplinary subject of hydrology, and aims to promote interest and scholarship in scientific and applied aspects of hydrology and to foster the involvement of its members in national and international activities.
Research and monitoring in terrestrial and freshwater environments.
The UNESCO Water Portal's objective is to improve access to information on freshwater on the web. See the side bar for links to useful related sites, such as IHP (International Hydrological Planning) and the Glossary of Hydrology.
Holds outputs from a number of research centres, including the Centre for Ecology & Hydrology and Proudman Oceanographic Laboratory.
Coordinates scientific research into the impacts of climate change.
Set up to provide a framework for the procurement of a common research programme for UK water operators on 'one voice' issues.
American organisation providing wastewater and water quality research. Subscription is necessary to access most information.
Hydrometry
Public repository for hydrological facts of the type that come from texts rather than tables.
Promoting good practice in the implementation of sustainable drainage in the built environment.
The NRFA collates, quality controls, and archives hydrometric data from gauging station networks across the UK including the extensive networks operated by the Environment Agency (England and Wales), the Scottish Environment Protection Agency and the Rivers Agency (Northern Ireland).
Professional body for geography.
The UN's authoritative voice on the state and behaviour of the Earth's atmosphere, its interaction with the oceans, the climate it produces and the resulting distribution of water resources.
Water Industry
Represents water and sewerage consumers in England and Wales.
Economic regulator for the water and sewerage industry in England and Wales.
Information on all the UK water companies.
Promotes water efficiency.
Welsh (and adjacent) water companies
Weather
Latest weather forecasts and current radar picture of rainfall.
Worldwide weather forecasts and research and information on all aspects of meteorological activity.