Master Water Conservator

On Tuesday 30 Master joined Past Masters Peter Matthews and Rob Casey in a meeting with Sheriff Alison Gowman and Joe Kingston of the City of London on the topic of wet wipes and other similar items blocking up the sewerage system. The meeting was on the sterling initiative of Peter Matthew who summarised the Company’s recent consultation submissions on the need for an integrated action plan by all to address current sewage discharge issues. Could the City of London lead by example? In a very positive meeting it was agreed that the City of London should review its current practice in its own buildings and Peter would prepare an a draft an ‘ask’ covering specific actions/communication which might be undertaken. A subsequent meeting would be organised to review next steps by the City which could then be cascaded as appropriate through the wider livery community. This is another very practical example of how our Company is engaging and seeking to make a practical difference on the big

There is a growing debate among politicians and in the press around the regulatory mechanisms and governance structures for the  water sector. Are the approaches which were appropriate in the conditions of 1989 still appropriate for the challenges and priorities of 2022? Our Company has been participating in this debate through our responses to a series of recent public consultations.  On 17 August Past Masters Peter Matthews and Rob Casey along with the Thames Warden Martin Bigg and I met David Hallam, the head of water at DEFRA. We highlighted the depth and breadth of experience within our Company and the fact that we are not a trade association but rather a group of experienced individuals acting pro bono with a common concern for the long term future of water in the UK. This was well received and we have been invited to a further meeting with DEFRA on 28 September to explore whether we can assist in shaping future consultations taking account of developing government priorities.

Hot on the heels of last month’s victory in the Admiral of the Port Challenge, the Water Conservators’ cutter, most ably coxed by Bargemaster Johnny Dwan has been victorious again, winning the womens’ and mixed class in the Port of London Challenge on 9 August. This was a marathon event raced in very hot weather over 4.4 miles from HQS Wellington to Chelsea Harbour. Fortunately in this case they did not have to carry passengers. Hearty congratulations to Johnny and crew of six below! We look forward to welcoming and thanking them properly at our Annual Banquet in November.