Nearly a quarter of water sample failures taken at customers’ taps didn’t reach quality standards because household plumbing doesn’t reach the mark.

This is one of the findings highlighted in a report launched today by the Chief Inspector of Drinking Water. It shows that despite tap water quality in England being among the highest in the world, of the small proportion of samples that do fail, a number are the result of poor household plumbing.

In its annual report for 2016, the Drinking Water Inspectorate for England confirms that 99.96 per cent of samples passed stringent water quality tests but has highlighted that where failures did occur, many were at customers’ taps.

Of these, 24 per cent were caused by poor plumbing practices, wrongly connected pipework, sub-standard fixtures and fittings and poor kitchen tap hygiene. All of which can cause the quality of drinking water to deteriorate after it has been transferred from the public water mains into private pipes and properties, potentially resulting in contamination.

Lead, nickel, taste and odour are behind some of the failures and these can be caused by legacy pipework, the wrong materials and fittings being used or inadequate protection from water ‘flowing back’ into internal pipework from dishwashers and toilets.

WaterSafe, the national register for plumbers which is backed by the Drinking Water Inspectorate and all the English water companies, is urging homeowners and property managers to use approved plumbers to help keep drinking water supplies safe.

Julie Spinks, Director of WaterSafe, said: “Water supplies in England are among the highest quality in the world and we want to ensure that the quality of the water remains high at the point it leaves customers’ taps.

“Many people don’t realise that there are many things which can affect water quality in homes, or other buildings, such as lead pipes, poor quality taps and fittings and even wrongly connected appliances such as dishwashers, washing machines and even toilets.

“We vet plumbers before they are allowed to join the WaterSafe register to ensure they have the right skills and knowledge to work safely with water. We also ensure they have insurance and customer care schemes in place so customers can trust they are employing a competent and qualified professional who will not compromise the quality of one of most important services in their homes.”

Plumbers on the WaterSafe register have specific training in the Water Supply (Water Fittings) Regulations and Byelaws, which are designed to preserve the high quality of water that is supplied by water companies, and avoid the risk of contaminated water.

Marcus Rink, The Chief Inspector of Drinking Water for England, said: “Consumers need to be aware of the risks associated with poor household plumbing and sub-standard fixtures and fittings when it comes to the quality of their tap water.

“I urge them not to take any chances and always be sure to employ a reputable plumber. The Watersafe register is there to help people make an informed choice and provides confidence that work carried out in their home is done safely by a skilled and competent plumber using approved materials.

“It is an important part of ensuring that drinking water remains healthy and wholesome right up to the tap and reaches the high standards we all quite rightly expect.”

Each year thousands of samples of water are taken from reservoirs, water treatment works, pumping stations, water mains and customers’ taps by water companies.

These are tested in laboratories to monitor for a range of substances, including metals, pesticides and naturally-occurring bacteria which are measured against required standards.

Sales of local and regional artisan gin have grown by 50% in the past year at Waitrose as demand for spirits from local distilleries continues to rise.

To meet customer demand, the retailer has today (24 July) introduced another three new gins from local British distilleries to several of its shops* – Ramsbury Gin (made on the Ramsbury Estate near Marlborough, Wiltshire), Cotswolds Dry Gin (made in Stourton, Warwickshire) and Masons Dry Yorkshire Gin (made in Bedale, North Yorkshire).

In recent years, Waitrose has worked with local distilleries across the UK to bring more artisan gins to its shelves, many of which had never been stocked in supermarkets before.

The retailer has long supported small suppliers and currently sells more than 2,500 locally and regionally sourced products from over 600 producers. Through its support, Waitrose has seen a number of local businesses become nationally-recognised brands, including Warner Edwards, whose Rhubarb Gin was initially sold in 133 Waitrose shops but is now stocked in nearly 300.

John Vine, Waitrose Spirits Buyer, said:

“Gin is now the most popular spirit we sell, having overtaken whisky earlier this year.

“Gin from local and regional distilleries have become particularly popular for several reasons. There's been a shift towards people sipping the spirit before their meal as an aperitif, so artisan gins, which tend to have been infused with unique flavours, really appeal for this purpose. Our customers are also looking for local gins in a bid to support smaller suppliers.”

A silver  trophy presented to lady winners in the Wednesbury Horticultural Society flower shows has come home.

The Society Ladies Challenge Cup was awarded to the competitor who gained the highest number of points in the annual show.

Mrs Lavina Howles of Dingley Road  in Wednesbury won the cup four times and was allowed to keep it when the Wednesbury show was discontinued in 1962.

Now Mrs Howles’ daughter Dorothy, has contacted local councillor Steve Melia after reading articles about Wednesbury in Bloom in the local press.

Mrs Dorothy Hatton has decided to give the cup to the people organising the Wednesbury in Bloom competition.

Mrs Hatton has warm memories of the original Wednesury show which was held in Wood Green. “If I remember correctly it took place around the 16th of August  and there was always a well-known celebrity to open the show and on several occasions John Stonehouse, the local MP attended,” she said.

She said all kinds of entertainment was provided and the culmination of the event was a “big band" which entertained in the evening.

“I am proud to have been associated with the Society and I am sure my mother would have been very proud, after all these years, to know that there still an interest in Wednesbury” she said.

Councilor Steve Melia, a former chairman of Sandwell Horticulture Show and a keen local historian, said he was delighted that Mrs Hatton had allowed the trophy to “come home to Wednesbury” after such a long time.

He added: "We will keep it safe and hopefully will be able to use it some way in the highly-popular competition."

The first ever plan of action designed to prevent incitement to violence that could lead to atrocity violence was launched on 14 July 2017, at a meeting held in the ECOSOC chambers at United Nations Headquarters in New York.

The plan of action was developed by the United Nations Office on Genocide Prevention and the Responsibility to Protect, with the support of KAICIID, the World Council of Churches and the Network for Religious and Traditional Peacemakers.

The event was inaugurated by Secretary-General of the United Nations, António Guterres; Under Secretary-General and Special Adviser on the Prevention of Genocide, Adama Dieng; and Secretary-General of KAICIID, Faisal Bin Muaammar. Amongst a number of religious leaders of individual communities from around the world, Bhai Sahib, Bhai Mohinder Singh Ahluwalia, Chairman and Religious Leader of Guru Nanak Nishkam Sewak Jatha UK, provided a Sikh perspective on the panel discussing the role of religious leaders in preventing incitement to violence.

Bhai Sahib Ji commented, ““This Plan of Action and the process by which it has been developed is highly commended.

The misuse of religion to provoke violence is a symptom of diseased minds. To eliminate this disease at the source, we must lovingly liberate our minds through empowering ourselves with the values of compassion, truthfulness, selfless contentment, humility and love. Only peace within oneself can lead to peace around us.”

Implementation of the Plan of Action will contribute to the prevention of atrocity crimes, especially in areas affected by religious and sectarian tensions and violence and enhance the respect, protection and promotion of human rights, including the rights to freedom of opinion and expression, freedom of religion or belief and peaceful assembly.

At the launch meeting, religious leaders, the United Nations, Member States, and civil society began discussing strategies for the implementation of the Plan of Action and the coordination between religious leaders and implementing agencies.  Important next steps include the dissemination of the Action Plan among Member States, relevant UN agencies and other stakeholders.

The shortlist has been announced for the third annual awards of Future Faces, the young professionals’ arm of Greater Birmingham Chambers of Commerce.

The winners will be revealed at Future Faces’ annual dinner and awards ceremony at Edgbaston Stadium on Friday 15 September.

This year’s awards have undergone a shake-up in order to cover a wider range of sectors and better reflect the industries in which the Future Faces members sit.

Among the changes is the introduction of a new category, Arts and Culture, to reflect the importance of this sector in the region.

The overall Future Face of Greater Birmingham award will be handed out to one of the winners of the seven individual sector categories.

This year’s awards attracted a record number of entries.

Chief operating officer at the Chamber, Russell Jeans, who chaired the judging panel, said: “The volume and high calibre of applications received are a sign of how seriously the business community is taking these awards.

“As a region it is more important than ever that we support the development of our young professionals and one way of doing this is to recognise their efforts and achievements.

“The Future Faces awards are a fantastic way of doing precisely that.”

The shortlisted candidates are:

Future Face of Arts and Culture Rachael Magson, Birmingham Hippodrome Theatre Amrit Singh, Freelance Creative Designer Cynthia Miller, ORB Creative Roisin Caffrey , Stan's Café

Future Face of Entrepreneurship Daniel Bridgewater, Buckt Joe Kibbler, Icarusparts.com Angus Drummond, Limitless Travel Mathew Jones            , Oxbridge Home Learning

Future Face of Technology and Innovation Dan Rice, Hopper HQ Richard Westman, Kaido Group Ltd Tom Charman, KOMPAS Jeremy Lambert, Ononga Limited

Future Face of Industry James Guest, Carney Green Mark Hipwell, CH2M Samuel Boot, Pennycuick Collins Eleanor Pugh-Stanley, Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents

Future Face of Sales, Marketing and Communications Jordan Ladley, Escape Live David Glenwright, JC Social Media Natalie Merrix, Rewired PR Sam Watts, Selfridges

Future Face of Legal Laura Ralfe, Irwin Mitchell LLP Greg Fearn, Mills & Reeve LLP Emma-Louise Hewitt, Standley & Co Elizabeth Mulley, Trowers & Hamlins

Future Face of Finance James Dockerill, Deutsche Bank Hassan Ejaz, Deutsche Bank Jaccy Gasgoyne, Deutsche Bank Ruzwan Boota, Mazars LLP

The nominees were chosen by a judging panel made up of Russell Jeans, chief operating officer at GBCC; Louise Teboul, operations director of Common Purpose; Joe Schuppler, founder of Independent Birmingham; Fiona Allan, artistic director and chief executive at Birmingham Hippodrome; Gary Cardin, senior director at CBRE, and Neil Anderson, head of marketing and events at Millennium Point.

Property Transformation Manager Lizzie Jones has won the City Year UK West Midlands Bridge Builder Award for 2017.

Lizzie had been mentoring 22 year-old Coventry University student Samaira Amin over the last academic year, supporting her as she volunteered full time in Bordesley Village Primary School with youth social action charity City Year UK during her placement year.

Michelle Lester, Community Investment and Engagement Adviser at National Grid, received the award on Lizzie’s behalf from Samaira at the City Year West Midlands Graduation Ceremony, held on the 19th July at mac in Moseley. 54 young people who had been serving as mentors, role models and tutors full-time in schools over the last year graduated from the scheme, and will now go on to the world of work or higher education.

Lizzie said of her win: “The programme has been fantastic, as the structure and guidance given by City Year UK has been exceptional and made the experience so much more rewarding.

“The most important part for me has been having the pleasure of hopefully playing a small part in Samaira’s journey through life.  As a Bridge Builder I’ve been able to explore Samaira’s career development goals  alongside helping her plan for life after City Year.

“Being able to share skills I’ve developed over the years at both National Grid as well as ideas my own mentors have shared with me has been extremely rewarding, as has being able to offer Samaira the opportunity to connect with professionals in the field she’d like to pursue.”

City Year UK Head of the West Midlands site Dave Gibson said: “Our young volunteers get so much out of the volunteering programme through both being mentors to pupils in primary and secondary schools and from being mentored themselves by our supporters and funders.

“Samaira has come far on the programme and I’m delighted that her mentor Lizzie has been awarded for her work over the year.”

City Year UK Volunteer Mentor Samaira Amin said: “Lizzie was a great support this year in developing my career plan and she has helped me realise the potential in me to achieve my goals. Lizzie has got me a lot of contacts to help me get some experience and find out what I would enjoy, and she is always inspiring me to take up opportunities. I appreciate all her support and i'm looking forward to see what the future holds.”

City Year UK’s  Bridge Builder Award recognises supporters who have volunteered their spare time to mentor the charity’s young volunteers, helping to prepare them for the next step - whether that is staying in education or finding a career. The support includes mock interviews, CV workshops and assistance in deciding on their next steps.

City Year UK engages young people aged 18 to 25to serve full-time in schools in disadvantaged communities for a year. The young people are supported to build on their key skills and attributes including confidence, resilience and leadership through tackling some of the UK’s most pressing social issues and supporting pupils to achieve their potential.