The cabinet has approved the Lower Phetchaburi River Basin flood mitigation royal initiative project in Phetchaburi province, with a budget framework of 14.7 billion baht and a 10-year implementation period from fiscal year 2027 to 2036. The Royal Irrigation Department will be the executing agency. The project involves improving and excavating a new drainage canal spanning 38.92 kilometres, from above Phet Dam in Tha Yang district to the discharge point into the Gulf of Thailand in Cha-am district, to increase drainage capacity and reduce flood damage across an area of more than 33,690 rai. The cabinet also approved the use of approximately 162 rai of mangrove forest area at the discharge point into the Gulf of Thailand, with relevant agencies required to strictly comply with environmental measures, and instructed the Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives to expedite fair compensation payments to affected residents.
Kentucky American Water Closes $1.4 Million Black Mountain Utility District Acquisition
Kentucky American Water has completed its acquisition of the Black Mountain Utility District water system and wastewater service in Harlan County, Kentucky, for $1.4 million. The newly acquired system serves over 4,300 water customer connections and six wastewater customer connections, and Kentucky American Water is welcoming 10 employees who previously provided water service to those customers. The water service acquisition was approved by the Kentucky Public Service Commission on July 10, 2026, and the wastewater service acquisition was approved on September 21, 2026. Kentucky American Water said it is committed to investing more than $20.9 million in improvements to the water system over the next five years, including replacing water meters within the first year, safety and security enhancements, and pump station improvements. The company recently worked with Black Mountain Utility District and local emergency management officials on response and recovery after devastating flooding in Harlan County, helping restore water service for approximately 200 homes.
Kentucky American Water Company · Capital · Positive Kentucky American Water completed the $1.4M Black Mountain Utility District acquisition and plans $20.9M in system improvements.
AWK · Capital · Positive American Water Works' subsidiary Kentucky American Water closed a $1.4M acquisition of Black Mountain Utility District, expanding its customer base.
Veolia Environnement has secured a €1 billion, 25-year contract to manage drinking water for the Barcelona metropolitan area. The long-term agreement covers essential water services along with upgrades to infrastructure and digital control systems across the region. Project plans include advanced leak detection, a digital operations center, and electrification of service fleets in response to recent drought pressures. The Barcelona win plugs directly into Veolia Environnement's core water operations, where long-duration service contracts are a central feature of the model for the €22.6 billion integrated utilities group. The deal leans into Veolia Environnement's push toward digital water platforms, leak detection, and remote metering, while extending its international diversification and climate adaptation work in a drought stressed region.
Chadchart Defends Bueng Khu Bon-Bang Chan Projects as Academically Sound After Higher Cost Than Canal Option Found
Bangkok Governor Chadchart Sittipunt explained that the Bueng Khu Bon and Bueng Bang Chan projects are studies by the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration that apply the monkey cheek concept, not projects directly stemming from royal initiatives. He confirmed that the consideration was based on academic data, drainage efficiency, budget value, and public benefit. After the major flood in 2011, the Drainage Department studied approaches for creating six water retention ponds, with four projects previously halted after public consultation processes. Bueng Khu Bon and Bueng Bang Chan remained as the two projects under continued consideration. But upon reviewing the details, the investment amounts were found to be high, so they had to be compared with other approaches. According to the consultant team's study, the system-wide monkey cheek approach would cost about 11 billion baht, while the approach of improving canals and the drainage system would cost about 6.7 billion baht. The BMA therefore considered improving canals to convey water faster, alongside enhancing the efficiency of Bueng Nong Bon and the drainage tunnel system. On the issue of connections with a real estate company, Chadchart stated that he had previously served as an executive of Quality Houses Public Company Limited, which had filed an objection to a project in the Phatthanakan area through the process prescribed by law. But decisions about the project are the authority of the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration, and the cancellation of the project occurred during the term of a previous Bangkok governor, while he did not hold the position at that time. As for water management principles, an effective monkey cheek must have water retention areas, water intake systems, and appropriate water discharge systems. Bueng Khu Bon and Bueng Bang Chan have a combined capacity of about 1 million cubic meters, while the volume of rainwater in Bangkok is large and spread across many areas, so the entire drainage system must be considered, not just increasing water storage areas alone. Chadchart stressed that the BMA is ready to listen to additional information from all parties. If there is new information, technical proposals, or facts that differ from the data currently used in its consideration, the Drainage Department is ready to examine and review them carefully.
QH.BK · Regulation · Neutral Mentioned only as the real estate company that filed a legal objection to a Phatthanakan-area project; the governor notes the project's cancellation occurred under a previous governor, so no clear impact on Quality Houses.
Pennon Seeks £550m Cash Injection After South West Water Parasite Outbreak
Pennon Group is seeking £550m from shareholders as its chief executive tries to turn around South West Water following a parasite scandal. The owner of South West Water said it would cut its dividend and ask investors for more cash to fund a £3.6bn investment in its pipes and services, sending Pennon shares down nearly 19pc on Tuesday. The supplier was at the centre of a contaminated water outbreak in 2024 that forced it to warn 17,000 households in Devon about the presence of a parasite that can cause diarrhoea. Chief executive Keith Haslett said the £550m would come from selling new shares to existing investors so the company could put in more investment where its assets need it most, and Pennon said the plan was £1bn more than required under the terms of a 2024 review by regulator Ofwat. Pennon also said it would reduce dividend payments from £138m in its 2026 financial year to around £125m in 2027, continue using debt funding and proposed the sale of its renewable energy investment vehicle Pennon Power to cut debt.
South West Water · Capital · Negative South West Water's parent Pennon seeks a £550m emergency equity raise, cuts its dividend, and plans asset sales after the 2024 parasite contamination scandal.
Indiana American Water Completes $24.5 Million Water Main Project in Gary
Indiana American Water has completed a $24.5 million water transmission main project in Gary, Indiana, strengthening service reliability and fire flow capacity across Northwest Indiana. Construction began about four years ago and replaced more than 70-year-old 16-inch and 20-inch mains with new 24-inch to 36-inch mains, including roughly 10,000 feet of water main made up of 6,000 feet of transmission main and 4,000 feet of distribution main. The project is substantially complete, with only a final connection remaining at the company's Borman Park Water Treatment Plant. As part of the work, the utility replaced more than 100 lead service lines connected to the project area, and Rex Construction served as primary contractor. The project is part of Indiana American Water's commitment to invest more than $200 million annually in water and wastewater infrastructure across Indiana.
AWK · Capital · Positive Indiana American Water, a subsidiary, completed a $24.5 million water main project as part of over $200 million in annual infrastructure investment.
The Bangkok Metropolitan Administration has completed repairs to its online registration system for flood victims seeking assistance, and about 35,800 people have now registered. Lalida Periswiwatana, deputy spokesperson for the Prime Minister's Office, said Bangkok is accelerating drainage in the eastern areas, particularly Min Buri, Nong Chok, Prawet, Saphan Sung, Sai Mai and Lat Krabang, and is mobilising water pumps and water-pushing boats to help. Wissanu Charoen, director of the drainage system engineering division at the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration's Drainage Office, said the urgent operation is focused on reclaiming the Rom Klao community housing area in Lat Krabang district, where the water level has been reduced by about 30 to 60 centimetres, though roads in the area are still flooded by about 20 to 30 centimetres. Yesterday the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration added more flood barriers and installed additional water pumps, and expects to lower the water level by about 25 centimetres per day, with roughly two more days needed to return the area to normal. In the Sai Mai–Ao Ngoen area, the situation is expected to ease within about two days. People who have already registered and wish to correct their information can log in to the system to update it, or contact their district office during official working days and hours.
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