“Every member of our Land & Water Services and TES teams helped to make this project a success. Using our impressive fleet of plant and vast expertise, we managed to exceed expectations during a period of adversity and all in a timely manner.” In acknowledgement of the project and its services, Land&Water Group received an honourable ‘Performance beyond Compliance’ recognition on behalf of the Considerate Constructors Scheme for its exceptional work overseeing the lake restoration. The team met specific criteria which included ‘Respect the Community’, ‘Protect the Environment’, ‘Secure everyone’s Safety’, and ‘Protect their Workforce’, highlighting even further the firm’s commitment towards enhancing and conserving the areas in which it works. Andy continues: “Having been recognised by an accredited body is an accomplishment which the Land & Water Group values immensely. It’s a true reflection of the team’s unwavering hard work and determi - nation over what had been, for everyone, a challenging few months. “As always, our projects always look to add value to the local area in which we work in and Southmere was no exception.” Dr Phil Askew, Peabody’s Director of Landscape and Placemak - ing, said: “Southmere Lake is without doubt one of the jewels in Thamesmead’s crown and the great work Land &Water has done there is already helping to transform perceptions about Thamesmead.
“The viewing platforms, reed beds, floating islands, and fountain form such an important part of the changes and improvements we’re making in Thamesmead. “Land & Water’s expertise has delivered features that are not only at - tractive for residents and visitors but will also enable the lake’s wildlife to thrive.” As a leader within the wet civil engineering industry, Land & Water un - derstands first hand the importance of safeguarding waterways to protect against climate change. From reducing pollution by aerating the water to increasing aquatic life Land &Water carries out a range of environmen - tal works to maintain and improve the UK’s water networks. About Land & Water Land & Water is an award-winning inland waterway and coastal civil and environmental engineering company based in the UK. Throughout their 40-year history, their name has become synonymous with finding creative and effective solutions to complex challenges in the specialist environment where land and water meet. Often working in complex or sensitive habitats, their work is always completed with sympathy to the local surroundings, people and the environment.
Sun & Water By Luke Carothers
In Ethiopia’s Omo Valley, the way of life for tribes such as the Kara, Mursi, Hamer, and Nyangatom has not changed much for thousands of years. These indigenous groups have built their lifestyles around seasonal flooding, which comes from the Omo River. Until recently, these tribes relied on these regular annual floods for food, water, and cultural traditions. However, new infrastructure is threatening the way of life for the tribes of the Omo River Valley. In recent years, a number of large, hydroelectric dams have been built on the Omo River in the northern regions of Ethiopia. In a bid to modernize the electrical capacity and infrastructure of an economically expanding country, Ethiopian officials approved plans to build a dam at the cost of nearly $1.6 billion USD called GIBE III. While GIBE III nearly doubles Ethiopia’s electrical output, the dam has put the traditional lifestyles and very lives of the southern indigenous groups at risk. Cut off from their traditional relationship with the river, the tribes of the Omo Valley experienced not only famine and drought in the last
three years, but also the loss of their young people. Without sustenance and needing to make money to support themselves and their families, many young people are leaving their traditional homes in search of work in the big cities. According to tribal elders, the resulting loss of culture and identity has been devastating. To compound these issues, the COVID-19 pandemic has cut off yet another economic lifeline for these communities: eco-tourism. In an effort to fix these issues, the Kara Tribe has partnered with Miya - moto Global Disaster Relief and ecotourism group Wild Philanthropy to develop solutions. In 2019, a team of experts for Miyamoto Relief
33
June 2021
csengineermag.com
Made with FlippingBook Annual report