British Water Members' Handbook 2017 2017 Edition | Page 8

BENEFITS OF MEMBERSHIP
British Water is the lead representative and
business development organisation for the
supply chain of the UK water industry. British Water is able to manage and debate on issues
that affect the industry and to communicate our
members’ views credibly and appropriately to decision
makers, including:
British Water has a wide and varied membership
covering all sectors of the water industry, from
consultants, legal and financial partnerships,
manufacturers of equipment and multi-disciplinary
contractors to independent consultants. British Water
works to bring a coherent approach to delivering, in
partnership with the water companies, the best for
the British water industry. British Water aims to ensure
each member company has access to services that
will enhance their development potential and provide
an added value factor to the way they do business. • Governments/government departments (Defra,
Environment Agency, Department for International
Trade, Foreign & Commonwealth Office, UK Export
Finance)
Our mission is to:
• Represent our members’ interests
• Support our members’ business
• Promote best practice
• Enhance membership value
British Water provides opportunities for those
companies in membership to participate in a wide
range of activities across our three main areas
of operation:
• UK Forum (municipal and industrial sectors)
• Technical Forum (aspects of technical innovation,
processes and regulations pertinent to the water
and wastewater industry)
• International Forum (providing export support and
market assistance)
Representation
British Water represents the industry, collectively, to
decision makers where often the views of a single
commercial enterprise will not register. British
Water is able to assist our members in shaping the
future of our industry and influencing technical and
commercial policies.
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• Regulators (EA, DWI, Ofwat, WICS, SEPA, and EHS)
• Major customers
• Standards bodies
• EU Commission
• Other sector representative bodies, including those
that represent other areas of the water industry,
promote education and professional qualifications,
formulate training needs, etc.
• Technical press
Market Awareness
British Water provides market information on home
and overseas water and wastewater markets. British
Water promotes contacts between its members
and prospective customers, partners, and suppliers
through a series of inward and outward international
visits and regular liaison meetings with
UK water utilities and major industrial users.
British Water provides information on:
• Markets (players, size, needs, characteristics, etc.)
• Technology trends and sources of funding
• Projects and potential business opportunities
• Advance knowledge of legislation changes
• Knowledge of new and changing standards
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