Jeannette Henderson, co-lead for Innovation at Ofwat shares some of the winners of the latest round of funding from the 5th Water Breakthrough Challenge.Hear some of the projects that are embracing drones, robotics and AI as Ofwat share £42m across 16 projects aiming to radically innovate within the water sector in England and Wales.Jeanette shares how Ofwat are working with other regulators to also drive  innovation in the way they regulate.Finally find out what the future holds for the Innovation Fund, aiming to share £600m across by 2030.Find out more about the 16 winning projects here: waterinnovation.challenges.org Planet Possible is sponsored by BMA, Macklay and MWH Treatment
Credits Presented & Produced by Niki RoachExecutive Producer Andy Taylor - Bwlb LimitedWith thanks to Alastair ChisholmHonorary Executive Producer Jane Boland
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10:09
Biocides
Main interview guest: Natalie Bennett - Green Party Peer, Baroness Bennett of Manor CastleExpert co-host: Michael Mattle - Head of Wastewater Technology at Holinger We're exploring how biocides – human-made chemicals that we find in products like surface cleaners and toothpastes – are impacting the microbiomes in our bodies and our environmental systems. In 2025 Green Party Peer, Baroness Bennett of Manor Castle, Natalie Bennett, brought a private members bill to Westminster to regulate the use of these chemicals in consumer products intended for human consumption.  We hear what Biocides are, where we'll find them and why Natalie is pushing for a legislative change to regulate their use. Co-host Michael Mattle, Head of Wastewater Technology at Hollinger reflects on what happens to these chemicals after use when they're released into the environment and explains how Switzerland has radically changed their approach to wastewater treatment, pushing beyond EU standards, to remove these types of chemicals.SponsorsPlanet Possible is grateful to Mackley, Business Modelling Applications & MWH Treatment for their support.Show NotesYou can read more about Natalie's thinking in her latest book - Change Everything.Hear more on the specifics of Lake Geneva from Michael Mattle in this Guardian podcast. Join our mailing listTo be first to hear about the latest episodes click here to join our mailing list. Â
Credits Presented & Produced by Niki RoachExecutive Producer Andy Taylor - Bwlb LimitedWith thanks to Alastair ChisholmHonorary Executive Producer Jane Boland
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38:38
April MiniPod (Smart Meters, Data Centres & Diversity)
In today's episode we’re focusing on water that’s used by businesses, which makes up 30% of all the water that’s supplied in England. Join Sarah McMath, CEO of MOSl as we explore the challenges of needing to deliver an extra 5 billion litres of water each day into supply by 2050 and the opportunities - and challenges - presented by commercial water demand.We explore...Smart metering for business customers and the current lack of data to understand how much water they're using - and when.News that Amazon, Microsoft and Google are planning to build hundreds of data centres across the globe, including in areas of water scarcity.The opportunities to bring more diverse voices into the water sector to help tackle some of the challenges it faces over the next 10 years.Planet Possible is supported by BMA, Mackley and MWH Treatment
Credits Presented & Produced by Niki RoachExecutive Producer Andy Taylor - Bwlb LimitedWith thanks to Alastair ChisholmHonorary Executive Producer Jane Boland
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15:14
Could Rainwater fill the Water Demand Gap?
25% of all the water that comes into our homes is flushed down the toilet. By 2050, we’re going to need an extra 5 billion litres of water a day - almost a third more - available in 25 years.This increased need for water is driven by a growing population, new homes and a water hungry economy and there's an opportunity to reduce our demand for the highest quality drinking water by using an alternative for things like flushing the toilet and watering the garden. So in todays episode we explore whether harvesting rainwater and using it in our homes could be part of the solution to closing the 5 billion litre shortfall.  You'll hear from George Warren, from Anglian Water, who's driving the 'Enabling Water Smart Communities' project to see how rainwater and water reuse in new housing developments can be scaled up.  Niki's co-host is Tom Chance, the CEO of the Community Land Trust Network,  representing community-led affordable housing projects - who shares the wider landscape around building new homes - and how rainwater harvesting could be included.SponsorsPlanet Possible is grateful to Mackley, Business Modelling Applications & MWH Treatment for their support.
Credits Presented & Produced by Niki RoachExecutive Producer Andy Taylor - Bwlb LimitedWith thanks to Alastair ChisholmHonorary Executive Producer Jane Boland
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42:52
March MiniPod (Beavers, Western Forest & Communities and nature)
Planet Possible tells the stories of the people paving the way for positive planetary and societal change.
Join host Niki Roach as she explores what's possible with practitioners and visionaries working on the big issues like adaptation and resilience to climate change, enhancing our natural environment and improving equality, diversity and inclusion in the environment sector.
Everything is connected, follow this series as we explore those connections and discover what's really possible for our planet.
Planet Possible is brought to you by CIWEM; a community of environmental professionals creating a more positive world.
Season 5 of Planet Possible is sponsored by Accordion - find out more at Accordion.live
Not enough time to listen to a full episode? Choose the length of pod to fit the time you have with Accordion by clicking the link above.
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