Institute of Water Magazine - Autumn Edition 2013

AUTUMN2013 ISSUE179

IN THIS ISSUE: energy in the water industry focus on northern ireland clean water network sampling and analysis INSTITUTE OF WATER JOURNAL

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CONTENTS

Introduction sort of external accreditation for individuals, and Chartered Scientist (CSci) status seemed to really fit the bill. Reading various journals, talking to members and looking at various websites for professional institutions, there really was only one choice for me – the Institute of Water. The only problem was that the Institute didn’t offer CSci!

It’s a privilege to be able to introduce you to the latest edition of the Institute of Water journal, and to myself. I’ve recently had the huge honour of joining the Board in the role of Vice President – Science. I have to admit to being a relative newcomer to the Institute, despite working in the industry for over 20 years, and from everything I’ve experienced so far I have to ask myself why I didn’t join you all before!

The conference in Edinburgh was one of the most outstanding conferences I have ever attended, in terms of the quality of speakers and the messages they gave. It was also a great event on a personal level, catching up with some ‘old’ friends who I hadn’t seen for many years. The absolute family feel to the Institute, combined with the incredible ethos around helping people to achieve their full potential in our great industry, has really struck me.

Developing people is something that I feel very passionate about, and was something I wanted to do more of when I became Regional Quality Manager at Anglian Water just over three years ago. My team are responsible for process science, public health liaison, water quality risk management and quality assurance within the Water Services part of Anglian Water, and have a predominantly scientific background.

One of the key things I wanted to do achieve was to help the team to develop their technical and leadership skills and their confidence to deal with everything that comes the way of a water company scientist on a daily basis.

Having embarked on a Scientific Development Programme, I was then keen to look for some

After 18 months of hard work with Lynn and colleagues, I am pleased to announce that the Institute is now licensed by the Science Council to offer CSci status, and the first members of my team are now preparing for their CSci professional reviews, which is incredibly exciting. The ethos of continued professional development has spread right across the team (helped enormously by an inspirational presentation to the team by Ian Limb), and we are seeing some real benefits.

Looking forward, we also have the opportunity to extend our licence with the Science Council to include Registered Scientist and Registered Scientific Technicians, meaning that the Institute really will be able to offer something to all of the thousands of scientists within the water industry, no matter what their role is. A perfect complement to our Environment and Engineering programmes!

There is already a lot of interest in the CSci award, and my role as Vice President - Science will be to champion this right across the industry, working closely with key Area contacts. We will be holding a formal launch event with the Science Council, which I look forward to covering in a future issue.

In the meantime, I hope you enjoy this edition.

Alongside our usual news features from the Areas, Engineering and Environment, we also summarise the changes at our recent AGM, where we welcomed our new President, a new Chair and two new Board members! We also focus on Energy, Sampling and Analysis (a bit more science!) and take a look at Northern Ireland.

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Features

12 18-23 56-61 62-63 65-87 88-93

Rising Stars Energy Focus on Northern Ireland Meet our Champions Clean Water Sampling and Analysis

Regulars

4-5 6 8 9

13 96-106

News in Brief Members Update Engineering News SocEnv News WaterAid Area News

I look forward to meeting many of you soon.

Robin Price

Regional Quality Manager Anglian Water Services

Institute of Water HQ: 4 Carlton Court, Team Valley, Gateshead, Tyne & Wear NE11 0AZ Website: www.instituteofwater.org.uk President: Chris Loughlin Chairperson: Richard Barton Chief Executive: Lynn Cooper Editorial, Marketing & Communications Manager: Dan Barton Tel: 0191 422 0088 Fax: 0191 422 0087 Email: dan@instituteofwater.org.uk Advertising: Martin Jamieson Tel: 0845 884 2333 Email: martin.jamieson@distinctivegroup.co.uk Designed and produced by: Distinctive Publishing Tel: 0845 884 2385 Email: pete.thompson@distinctivepublishing.co.uk

The Institute of Water is the only professional body solely concerned with the UK water industry. We can support and develop your career whoever you are and whatever you do. We do this by providing a unique learning, developing and networking framework. For details on how to join visit www.instituteofwater.org.uk today.

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Yorkshire Water partners to pump £1billion back in to the region Yorkshire Water is this week announcing that its service partners will deliver in the region of £1billion pounds worth of work as part of its planned investment programme across Yorkshire.

Eight Contract Partners and three Framework Consultants* have received an extension of their agreement for the next Asset Management Period (AMP) 2015-2020, set to future-proof the company’s treatment works against extreme weather conditions, help protect the local environment and continue to guarantee a secure supply of drinking water.

Nevil Muncaster Director of Asset Delivery at Yorkshire Water said: “We are committed to ensuring that we give our customers the best possible service for the lowest possible price and our major investment plans for the next five years play a huge part in this. Our Contract Partners and consultants take great pride in their service alongside Yorkshire Water and this news is testament to their strong performance.

“The next step is to review the AMP6 programme with our partners, optimising AMP6 investment so we are well-placed to deliver the best value asset solutions. We’re committed to working in a more integrated way to further boost collaboration and efficiency and are now in the best possible shape to plan ahead for AMP6.”

Bathroom Retailers, Merchants and Manufacturers join forces to launch Consumer Water Efficiency Label Leading DIY retailers, builders’ merchants and manufacturers are to introduce a voluntary labelling scheme to help consumers identify the water efficiency of bathroom fittings such as taps, showers, WCs and baths.

The new labelling will start to appear across a wide range of products next summer, and represents a significant step forward for the industry which has been seeking for some time the best way to provide consumers with clear water efficiency information.

The scheme will use the existing Water Label, which follows a similar approach to the Energy Efficiency Label found on white goods such as fridges and freezers. What’s new is that the label

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will be used on all bathroom fittings on sale – currently, the label is not used widely.

This means the label will be added to a much broader range of products. The data on water use will also be added at point-of-sale and on web sites over the next 12 months, so that information is readily available to consumers.

This, says the group behind the initiative, will give the industry time to make the necessary changes ready to start rolling out to consumers by the summer of 2014.

The label will help consumers to compare products on a ‘like for like’ basis and see which ones offer the greatest water savings.

Environment Minister Richard Benyon said: “We all have a responsibility to use water wisely so this scheme is great news. Customers will be able to choose bathroom products based on their water efficiency rating, which may help them to save money on water bills and protect this valuable resource for future generations.

Liz Goodwin, WRAP chief executive, said: “We welcomed the opportunity to work together with the sector to explore how water efficiency information could be made more readily available for consumers throughout the UK, to help them compare product performance and choose what’s right for them.

NEWSINBRIEF

Paul Pedals for Charity in Fundraising Cycle

New Pipe for Black Lane Scheme PE pipe specialist, GPS PE Pipe Systems, is helping to ensure continuity of water supply to the Blandford area of Dorset with the supply of a pipeline that will link Snowsdon Reservoir to Black Lane water treatment works then on to the Blandford supply main.

The scheme forms part of Wessex Water’s Water Supply Grid initiative, the company’s largest ever resilience project and one that will see Wessex Water carry out 50 individual schemes across Somerset, Wiltshire and Dorset during an eight-year rolling programme. As Wessex Water’s framework PE pipe supplier, GPS has supplied more than 26km of pipe for Water Supply Grid projects so far, including the 2,300m of pipe supplied for the Black Lane scheme.

Delivered by Trant Construction, the Black Lane scheme aims to address any risk of future supply shortfalls to 9,995 local properties which result from increased demand and potential low pressure due to the size of the existing main. GPS has provided a mix of pipe sizes ranging from 180mm to 450mm diameter in blue PE100 SDR17 pipe, along with special high performance profiled gaskets for critical road crossings. Specialist contractor, Yates Trenchless Solutions, carried out directional drilling for the road crossings, installing two 355mm water mains under the A354 at Blandford and a 180mm SDR11 telemetry duct, along a 120m stretch of pipeline at 3m centres.

Martin Wood, Wessex Water’s Design Coordinator on the Water Supply Grid project, comments: “By working with GPS as the pipe supplier we were able to tailor the size of pipe to the required flow rate at different sections of the route. The result is a scheme that will minimise the risk of low pressures within Blandford.”

Paul said: “I’m a keen cyclist and finally saw through one of my goals to complete a charity cycle last year and absolutely loved it, so of course jumped at the chance to do it again this year. The Sir Bobby Robson Foundation is one which I think strikes a chord with everyone, unfortunately we all know friends or family who have been affected by cancer so anything I can do which supports this fantastic cause will hopefully someday result in us getting closer to more effectively treating this disease.”

Panton McLeod director Paul Henderson has let his feet do the talking after tackling a 178 mile cycle ride for charity. Paul, Sales and Marketing Director for Borders based water engineering firm raised over £500 for the Sir Bobby Robson Foundation which raises money for the early detection and treatment of cancer.

Spurred on after smashing a 185 mile challenge across the Borders Reivers Trail last year for the Bubble Foundation, a Newcastle based baby care unit, Paul chose this year to tackle the challenging three day Coast to Coast cycle ride through Hadrian’s route – hailed as ‘the Roman way.’

Paul who lives in South Shields with his wife and two children managed to incorporate his gruelling training schedule with work by cycling to and from Panton McLeod’s recently opened South Shields office, although as he only lives 1 mile away from the office he has been taking the scenic route along the seafront.

He added: “Although I still cycle pretty regularly we have been training at weekends with friends and therefore I felt confident that we would be able to complete the challenge. Some of team were also raising funds for a variety of worthwhile charities, we are still receiving donations and in total we aim to raise £1000. The generosity of my colleagues, our family and friends has been fantastic so a huge thank you goes out to those who supported us.

I really enjoyed the challenge and have already started thinking again about the next feat.”

Scottish drinking water quality ‘at highest ever level’ Scottish Water has achieved its highest ever drinking water quality and customer satisfaction is at record levels, according to the public corporation’s latest annual report. The utility reported that 99.88% of samples taken in 2012/13 complied with strict quality standards. It also achieved its best customer satisfaction score on record, exceeding its target by 5%.

Last year, the corporation invested £487m in water infrastructure projects. They included major waste water projects in Airdrie and Dunoon, as well as new water treatment works on Unst in Shetland. Scottish Water recently announced other large investments, including a £5.7m project to improve the quality of drinking water on the Isle of Mull which is due to begin by early October. It also plans to invest £250m in upgrading Glasgow’s waste water network.

Scottish Water chief executive Douglas Millican said he was committed to maintaining the pace of improvement in achieving the highest customer

service standards across Scotland. Mr Millican, who took up his role in February, added: “Scottish Water has continued to go from strength to strength in the last year as we deliver the best value water and waste water services in Great Britain.

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MEMBERSUPDATE

Introduction to the UK Water Industry July saw the delivery of the Institute of Water’s ‘Introduction to the UK Water Industry’ course at our Head Office in Gateshead. The course is designed to be delivered on site to 12 delegates but for this one off occasion, organisations in the water sector were invited to send individual delegates to experience the course and gain a general insight into the UK water industry.

The course quota was full with delegates from Sembcorp Bournemouth Water, Portsmouth Water, Intertek and Wat-er-save in addition to our very own Marketing and Communications Manager, Dan Barton. The two day programme was delivered by expert training facilitator Gordon Lyon of CSTS Training.

Day one took delegates through the history of water including regulation and how water makes its way from a natural resource in rivers and the sky to the final product which comes out of the tap.

I ntroduction

UK Water Industr y

to the

The second day focussed on wastewater including an overview of where and how water leaves us, how it is treated and how it is returned to its previous state.

The course has been run in pilot format for over 12 months at Dwr Cymru Welsh Water. Feedback has been positive in all respects and over 200 people have now been through it.

ObituarIES Geoffrey Newton (1922 – 2013)

April 2013 saw the passing of one of our longest serving Members, Geoffrey Newton, who joined the Institute of Water in 1965. Geoffrey was a Fellow Member of South East Area and had worked previously as a Distribution Superintendant at Southampton Corporation Waterworks.

The Institute of Water is able to take bookings of the course for 12 delegates from any organisation.

The course can be tailored to suit the individual requirements of the company making the booking and delivered on site at their premises.

There is a flat fee of £2,000 + VAT and interested parties should contact Dan Barton via dan@ instituteofwater.org.uk or 0191 422 0088.

60 SECOND INTERVIEW Dermott Devaney Dermot is currently Water Quality Manager at Northern Ireland Water, Vice Chair of the Institute of Water and Chair of the Northern Ireland Area.

I accepted the role of National Vice Chair because it’s an opportunity to give something back to an organisation that has helped me throughout my career through learning and networking opportunities within the wider water industry.

I am most looking forward to my time as Vice Chair because this as an opportunity to meet and influence both key figures and others in the UK Water Industry - I will also be using those contacts to try to broaden the membership profile of the Institute. Also, don’t be surprised to hear me ‘promoting’ Northern Ireland Water – a small company in both UK terms and being ‘offshore’ but keen to engage, learn and share knowledge with others so as to better serve our customers.

The best part of my role with Northern Ireland Water is I really enjoy the changing issues, challenges and inter-action with operational staff of my day-to-day job. Ultimately this comes down to the Water Science Team that I head and the Supply / Networks Water staff - their ongoing commitment and knowledge ensures that our customers can rely on Northern Ireland Water to provide high quality drinking water.

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The worst part of my job is paperwork (a necessary evil) and the constraints we face as a non-private water company.

I do my bit for the planet by recycling at home and avoiding tinned / pre-prepared supermarket meals as much as possible.

If I could be anyone for a day I would like to go back in time and be a student working with Leonardo da Vinci – just to talk with him would be incredible.

The best advice I have ever been given is ‘you can’t live a positive life with a negative mind’

My most treasured possession is my family.

My guilty pleasure is chocolate – a simple milk chocolate bar straight from the fridge.

My favourite tipple is Guinness (occasionally Laphroaig depending on weather).

My last holiday destination was Italy – a train trip from Rome to Milan via some very beautiful cities and towns.

My failsafe way to de-stress is to walk on a beach (especially in Ballycastle) whatever the weather.

My proudest moments were watching, first my wife, and then (much later!) my sons receive their medical degrees as I knew the time, dedication and effort that was required by them to get to that point

I’ve learnt the hard way that there are times when you have stand firm for what is right no matter the consequences. Too many people are prepared to sacrifice this principle in order to promote themselves (and their own mediocrity) The thing about me that not many people know is I am inherently shy! I was also the first person to breed seahorses in captivity in Ireland and probably UK. My favourite joke is only remembered after a Guinness or three!

I believe the biggest challenge for the water industry is increasing financial and compliance regulation constraints and the cost impacts that this has on a water company and consequently the supply chain that depends on them.

JFAndrews

E n g i n e e r i n g

PumpPodTM Award Winning Packaged Water Booster Pumping Station PumpPodTM has recently won the Institute of Water’s Northern Ireland Area Innovation Challenge.

The product has been designed by Enisca Ltd of Cookstown and marketed by its product sales subsidiary JF Andrews Engineering (www.jfaengineering.com) The PumpPodTM evolved as a product through an R&D project initiated after Enisca completed a Low Pressure Alleviation scheme for Scottish Water. The Enisca project team identified a gap in the water market having constructed a number of conventional, signature solution pump stations at significant cost, to boost water pressure to only a small number of homes. The gap that they identified was for an offsite constructed, modular, compact booster pump station that provided a cost effective solution.

The PumpPodTM is an innovative pumping solution that presents many cost saving benefits. By choosing a PumpPodTM it is possible to make over 50% savings on the traditional or conventional booster pump station construction. The cost efficiencies are realised through: Standardisation The PumpPodTM comes in a variety of sizes and provides “off the shelf” solutions. Our range includes two and three pump stations using pumps from 2.2kW to 22kW in size that cover a variety of flows and heads.

Plug & Play There is much less work and time spent on site with reduced civil, building and MEICA works. The PumpPodTM arrives at site fully assembled within an integrated kiosk. It is placed

onto a plinth where suction and delivery pipes can be quickly bolted, the power authority supply cable can be terminated and the commissioning process can proceed at haste.

They also acknowledged the cost and time savings saying it “appears to deliver significant cost and time savings as well as providing a more sustainable alternative to the current practices.”

Compact design The size of the PumpPodTM is significantly smaller than conventional designs and can avoid the need for planning permission.

At present there is a demand to provide more standardised solutions within the UK water industry. We believe that our PumpPodTM is an ideal product offering for booster station installation. It is leading the way in the packaged booster set design. The unit is fitted with high end pumps, controls and telemetry.

Other advantages of this innovative design: Health & Safety Less time onsite reduces the risk of accidents. The component parts, their functionality and accessibility for operator access and intervention has been the focus of attention during the design evolution of the PumpPodTM. A principal challenge was providing for a safer lone person working situation.

Small Carbon footprint The PumpPodTM design presents an efficient operational and embodied carbon footprint.

In conclusion the judging panel from the institute said “PumpPodTM has gained approval for use on the NI Water network and undoubtedly may be of interest to other utility companies.”

For more information on PumpPodTM visit our website at www.pumppod.eu alternatively you can contact us via email: info@pumppod.eu

The Institute of Water judging panel for the innovation challenge said the PumpPodTM “demonstrates the full range of innovation from the initial conceptual model through several design phases to a finished and polished commercial product.”

www.pumppod.eu instituteofwater.org.uk

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ENGINEERINGNEWS

Infrastructure Interdependencies Timelines Engineering the Future has recently published the Infrastructure Interdependencies Timelines report. The report - available at www.engineeringthefuture.co.uk/government/ - is the culmination of an ongoing strand of work looking at long term strategic infrastructure policy challenges. This work has been undertaken to help the government adopt a more strategic view on infrastructure policy making and has

departments including Infrastructure UK.

been referenced in the Treasury’s National Infrastructure Plan and used by key government

initiative to create 100,000 Engineering Technicians Technology and the Gatsby Foundation in response to the emerging skills gap in the engineering and construction sectors.

The new apprenticeship initiative was announced on 24 June alongside the full-size replica of the British Bloodhound Super Sonic Car on its first visit to Downing Street. The 13m jet-and-rocket propelled car aims not only to beat the current land speed record of 763mph in 2014, but also to be the first land vehicle to exceed 1,000mph by 2015.

The Prime Minister, the Rt. Hon David Cameron MP, announced a new initiative which will help create 100,000 registered Engineering Technicians by 2018 – and the Institution of Mechanical Engineers is playing a leading role.

Working through new and established apprentice schemes, the initiative aims to create 100,000 Engineering Technicians by giving them structured on-the-job experience built upon a recognised academic qualification. On successful completion of their apprenticeships, and by ensuring the appropriate skills and competencies are reached, each apprentice will be able to attain the globally recognised professional registration designation of Engineering Technician (EngTech).

The initiative has been created by the Institution of Mechanical Engineers, Institution of Civil Engineers, Institution of Engineering and

Current estimates suggest that the UK needs to double the pipeline of new recruits into engineering, construction and manufacturing professions by 2020 to avoid a severe skills shortage, which could inhibit the growth of these vital UK sectors.

Prime Minister David Cameron said: “British engineering and innovation are a part of our history that we are rightly very proud of and our engineering excellence continues to change the world that we live in for the better. Bloodhound is a fantastic example of what our engineers can achieve.

“Apprenticeships are at the heart of our mission to rebuild the economy, giving young people the chance to learn a trade and to build their careers, creating a truly world-class, high-skilled workforce that can compete and thrive in the global race.”

The previous issue of our Journal carried a report

by Nick Merrick on a workshop he attended with Neil Smith which formed the basis of this latest report. The formal output from the workshop will be published in the near future and available to access at http://rose.bris.ac.uk/ handle/1983/1612

Are you a technician with or working towards a Level 3 NVQ or a Water Industry Apprenticeship? If so, do you want to n Be part of a community n Feel inspired n Seek opportunity to meet/talk to others who are doing jobs they’d like n Tap into your ambition n Show off your qualifications n Make yourself marketable if you decide to change jobs / or need to ‘prove’ you are worthy of being taken on postapprenticeship Becoming a registered Engineering Technician provides an alternative professional route into engineering to graduate entry and is your passport to further your career: n Gain a professional title that recognises your hard work and expertise n Enhance your employability n Stand out from the crowd n Enjoy greater influence within your organisation n Have access to life-long learning resources Visit our website www.instituteofwater.org. uk/become-an-engineering-technicianengtech for details of how to apply

Institute of Water commits to TRaM

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The Technician Registration and Membership (TRaM) Project began last year with the aim of creating and launching a revised registration product that is valued by employers and is embraced by technicians.

absolute number represents <1% of the potential market.

The target is to achieve 100,000 registrants - 10% of the current technician market - and although there have been recent improvements in the number of new Engineering Technicians, the

Phase 1 of TRaM consisted primarily of collating prior research and other relevant information, and commissioning new research specifically targeted at technicians and their employers.

The outcome is a comprehensive set of actions

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In order to reach 100,000 an 8 fold increase in new registrants will be required for 8 years.

which have the potential to progressively and significantly increase the number of registered engineering technicians.

Given the scale of the task, real success will require a change in culture and attitudes, driven by the leaders of the profession. We are working with other Professional Bodies, the Technician Council and the Engineering Council to achieve the target.

SOCENVNEWS

SocEnv Summer Reception at House of Lords

Tim Boldero with Fred Davis on far left of picture, Paul Gibbs and, far right, Robin Price, who also recently became Vice President Science for IWater

By Tim Boldero, Vice President Environment Some three hundred guests attended this reception on 24th June, which marked another step in the development of the Society and helped to elevate its external profile. For our part, we were delighted the following were able to accept our invitation to this event: Nick Ellins, Immediate Past President; John Manners, Professional Reviewer; Hubert Desgranges, recently registered Chartered Environmentalist from Northumbrian Water; Jim Marshall CEnv, Water UK; and, from Anglian Water, Robin Price, Regional Quality Manager and Paul Gibbs, Director Wastewater Services.

In his welcoming address, Alex Galloway, CEO of SocEnv, said: “Nine years ago a group of people came together with the vision of creating for environmentalists, a status equal to that of any other profession. In the UK the gold standard for professionals is Chartered Status. Those pioneers were bold enough to ask the Privy Council if The Queen would grant them a Charter. Her Majesty was pleased to do so, and the Chartered Environmentalist qualification was born.

There are now 7,000 Chartered Environmentalists, a small army working across a wide range of professions, represented by twenty-three professional bodies who are proud to be licensed, under the Charter, to register their members as Chartered Environmentalists. The assessment is rigorous, requiring candidates to demonstrate

attributes that you might expect from a postgraduate with experience of working in this domain.

I call them a small army but the challenges we face demand a much larger one. We are determined to grow the numbers of Chartered Environmentalists, and to add to the number of professional bodies which are licensed to register them.

There is no profession whose activities do not affect the environment. We have with us today friends from many professional bodies with who we are in dialogue, and whom I hope to be able to welcome into the Society very soon.”

Alex concluded by thanking and introducing our host, Lord Wilson of Dinton who served as Permanent Secretary of the Department of the Environment from 1992 to 1994 before becoming Permanent Under Secretary of the Home Office then Secretary of the Cabinet and Head of the Home Civil Service in January 1998. He was elevated to a life peer in 2002, after retiring as Cabinet Secretary.

After a reply from Lord Wilson, Carolyn Roberts, having been re-elected as SocEnv Chair, oversaw the presentation of Fellowships to twelve individuals who represent a wide variety of skills and engagement in the environment. They are all listed on the SocEnv web site www.socenv.org. uk/news/honfse-awards

On Monday 8th July, the Society for the Environment moved its HQ to EPG 11-12 Eliot Park Innovation Centre (or just EPIC), 4 Barling Way, Nuneaton, Warwickshire, CV10 7RH. The telephone number remains as 0845 337 2951. The transition has been seamless and the move gives the Society a better office environment.

On Line directory Those of you who are registered Chartered Environmentalists are now showing on the SocEnv web site in a new directory and before the end of July, you should each receive a letter from The Society explaining this development and should you wish to opt out of the register, you will be able to do so, on line but this will not affect your registration as CEnv.

Call for Profiles The Society for the Environment is looking for Chartered Environmentalists to submit a career ‘profile’ which may be chosen to appear in CEnv marketing material to help raise awareness of the CEnv qualification and the work of Chartered Environmentalists.

The profile (200-450 words) should be written in the third person and be about you, your job and your career. It should also reference the Institute of Water and include a sentence or two about why you wanted to attain CEnv and any career benefits it has brought.

Some examples can be found on the SocEnv website at www.socenv.org.uk/cenv/ cenvprofiles. Profiles should be submitted directly to kerry.geldart@socenv.org.uk along with a high resolution photo.

In sadness Nick Reeves OBE

Executive Director CIWEM 1998-2013

Working to the old specification As we announced last year, the Specification used to demonstrate competence for Chartered Environmentalist (CEnv) was revised in December last year, with a sensible rollout to ensure that any applicant working with the old Specification had sufficient time to complete their submission or to switch over to the new Specification. We

SocEnv moves HQ to Nuneaton

have now reached the cut-off date to receive applications under the old Specification so any new applications must be made under the new Specification. Please understand that if you believed you would be eligible to apply for the award of CEnv under the old Specification you should have no difficulty with the revised version.

As many of you will know, Nick Reeves died recently, following a stroke. Nick was a founder member of The Society for The Environment, a SocEnv Board Member from the start and a good friend and working colleague with a number of IWater members.

On behalf of the Institute of Water we take this opportunity to pay tribute to Nick, whose passion for and commitment to the environment was recognised with an OBE in 2011, and to offer condolences and support to CIWEM colleagues, Nick’s wife Janet and family. He will be missed.

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BOARD

L-R back row: Bob Mills, Robin Price, Dermott Devaney, Roger Harrington, Sam Phillips, Nick Ellins, L-R front row: Michael Fowle, Tim Boldero, Lynn Cooper, Richard Barton, Chris Loughlin, Maureen Taylor, Kathy Auld

The Institute of Water – your board for 2013/14 The Institute of Water’s sixty eighth Annual General Meeting saw Nick Ellins stand down as National President after 2 successful years and President Elect, Chris Loughlin, take over the reins.

Nick said: "I have enjoyed my two years as National President and was proud to be asked to take up the role. I leave with the Institute in a great place, with a strong Board, secure finances, increasing membership, compelling new initiatives and Presidential successors who will certainly better all that I achieved."

Chris, Chief Executive of South West Water, said: "I’m honoured and thrilled to become the Institute of Water National President. It has always been my belief that the people of the water industry are what drive it forward and make this vital industry thrive. It is a real pleasure to lead an Institute which aims to improve the careers and lives of those people and inspire them to become the best they can be."

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National Chair Kathy Auld also stood aside as Vice Chair Richard Barton stepped into the role.

Institute and make a real difference during my time in office."

Kathy said: "My year as Chair has been a fantastic experience. I’ve enjoyed chairing and being part of the Board, learning how the Institute is run and contributing to it moving forward. For me, being Chair and assisting with the organisation of the National Conference in my Capital City was one of the highlights. I hope it was enjoyed by those who attended. It has been exciting to be involved during a period of change for the Institute and I am sure this will continue and bring us forward to meet the challenges of the Water Industry of the future."

Helen Edwards stepped down from the board and all board members would like to thank her for her hard work and contribution over the last three years.

Richard, Retail Services Manager for Sembcorp Bournemouth, said: "I’ve been a Member of the Institute of Water for over 20 years and enjoyed every minute of it. I’ve learned so much and met so many interesting and innovative people.

I’m truly honoured to become National Chair and I can’t wait to repay something back to the

New to the board are Vice Chair Dermott Devaney of Northern Ireland Area and Vice President of Science, Robin Price.

Robin is a Regional Quality Manager at Anglian Water and will be heavily involved in Science Registration which will soon be added to the suite of Professional Registrations that are currently available through the Institute of Water.

Dermott is a long serving Member of the Institute and Northern Ireland Area Chair.

Heidi Mottram also joined the board as President Elect.

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RISING STARS

The Water UK Active Customer Engagement Conference 2013 This year’s one-day Innovation Hub set out to outline and discuss the why, how and what next of customer engagement for both household and business customers. There were three interactive sessions led by Water Company CEOs asking; Why engage? How to engage? And what are the next steps? There was also the opportunity to hear the experiences from companies external to the water industry.

By Ben Tam and Chris Vinson The opening address by Pamela Taylor (Water UK) reminded the audience that the time is right to move in terms of customer engagement. This is because the industry has moved on from purely end-of-pipe approaches that a company could deliver by itself, to a mix of measures developed and delivered in partnership, and in turn, requiring a deeper understanding of customer views. Customers’ views on services have been shaped by interactions with other service providers and companies. No longer will the ‘one size fits all’ approach be appropriate or sufficient to appeal to a customer who is used to a tailored service. Therefore now is the time to begin a new journey of active customer engagement.

The first session was chaired by Matthew Wright from Southern Water. His presentation on ‘why engage?’ opened with the famous Albert Einstein definition of madness ‘doing the same thing over and over and expecting the same result’.

The industry must be ready to approach things differently if it expects to engage with customers for positive outcome. The industry is moving away from the ‘silent service’ which meant the only interaction with a customer was when something had gone wrong. Southern Water developed a clear engagement strategy when rolling out its Universal Metering Programme. It is this level of detailed planning and forward thinking about customer needs that was echoed throughout the day. Peter Simpson from Anglian Water led the next session on ‘how to engage’. This began with explaining the ‘Love Every Drop’ leadership platform as a way to engage with customers. He reaffirmed another key to customer engagement

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is the use of partner organisations; powerful collaborations give legitimacy to important messages that customers will listen to. Anglian Water approached the issue of sewer flooding in Peterborough by using the principles of social marketing to actively engage the community.

This approach proved successful and scalable, allowing sewer flooding to be tackled at the root cause and to change customer behaviour. It is a good example of what the conference set out to discuss.

The second session of the day involved speakers from other sectors providing insight into what customer engagement meant for their customers, clients and members respectively. The session was chaired by Chris Jones, Welsh Water’s Finance Director, who framed the discussion with the dramatic improvements in performance seen at his company in customer engagement. Welsh Water now receive more ‘well done’ letters than complaints - a remarkable achievement for any organisation - and have sent over 600,000 text messages to customers in the last year to keep customers updated during supply interruptions.

This is all part of their ‘close the loop’ initiative, that has seen unwanted contacts fall by threequarters since 2009/10.

Sean Humphreys, Director of Customer Service and Sales at Bank of America described how he’d moved the organisation away from “firefighting” toward a strategic vision where customer selfservice increased to 94%. This allowed a reduction in headcount from 1,300 to only 350, but with a much higher calibre of staff to deal with the more complex and emotionally charged calls that made up the remainder of the contacts.

Matthew Nunn of EDF Energy described the highly competitive, low margin UK B2B energy market.

EDF has used customer segmentation research to best target their market offering; “not trying to be the cheapest, trying to be best value”. EDF is the largest B2B energy retailer, with 20% of the UK market, offering a range of different tariffs and innovative packages, often developed in collaboration with the client.

Rob Cunningham, Head of Water Policy at RSPB, outlined the challenges of engaging and building engagement in a membership organisation.

Although RSPB was previously at the cutting edge of direct mail technology, according to Rob “now it’s barely worth the stamp”. He described how the RSPB has dramatically improved membership, hitting one million members in the late 1990s.

Part of their approach – the appropriately avian ‘Operation Partridge’ - involves understanding which communications members had responded to, and used this to inform how future communications were targeted. As Rob pointed out, “you can’t talk to fifty million people in focus groups”, and there are certainly parallels for water companies seeking to better understand their customers.

WATERAID

Pump up the Volume

For a world where everyone everywhere has safe water and sanitation by 2030 Our Pump up the volume petition at Glastonbury was a great success with over 35,000 people signing up. A big thank you to our amazing volunteers, more than 50 of whom came from across the water industry – not only helping us to smash our petition sign up target by inspiring festival-goers to take time out too (Grant from Anglian Water collected over 2,000 signatures himself!), but also representing WaterAid fantastically across the event.

Pump up the Volume supports WaterAid’s ‘Everyone, Everywhere’ campaign, which was launched earlier this year and will run until

2015. It focuses on ensuring that 2015 is the year that the world commits to water and sanitation for everyone, everywhere, by 2030.

World leaders will meet in New York this September at the UN General Assembly to start the process of deciding what will replace the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) in 2015.

The Pump up the Volume petition will form part of UK signatures that will be delivered to this meeting by WaterAid. There is still time to put your name on the petition and tell the UN that you want to live in

a world where everyone, everywhere has clean water and safe sanitation.

Go to www.wateraid.org/glastonbury to sign the petition. You can also see three members of Yorkshire Water appearing at the festival as the “Loos Brothers” explaining why it’s so important and other highlights from the event.

Country in focus Nepal is a landlocked country with a diverse landscape ranging from low lying terrains to Mount Everest. Many rural communities live far from water sources while in urban areas the growing population, caused in part by the decade long conflict in the country, is putting increasing strain on limited water and sanitation supplies.

Nepal’s extreme and inaccessible hill landscape, has significantly hampered the provision of basic services and in turn the ability of people to lift themselves out of poverty. Nepal’s diverse mix of cultural groups, entrenched caste system and strong gender divisions challenge the provision of essential services to those most in need.

which are the lower administrative parts of the local development ministry.

Women, even when they are heavily pregnant, walk miles every day along steep mountain side paths to collect water that is often unclean. Children, especially girls, are unable to attend school due to time spent collecting water for household use.

Girls’ school attendance drops during menstruation as they have no safe or private toilet facilities.

WaterAid works with local partners, who understand local issues, and provides them with the skills and support to help communities set up and manage practical and sustainable projects.

Together we aim to enhance the quality of life of people from poor and marginalised communities, through improved, safe and appropriate, water, sanitation and hygiene facilities. We use locally available materials and solutions that are appropriate to the needs of the community, ensuring all groups are included in the project.

Delivering the solution WaterAid established its country programme in Nepal in 1987, and currently works with seven partner organisations across the country to deliver water and sanitation services. Last year alone, we reached 68,000 people in Nepal with safe water and 83,000 with improved sanitation.

We work with village development committees,

“I was very happy to see the water coming from the tap. I washed my hands, legs and drank water. It was such a joy.” Dambar (left), aged 68, Tosramkhola.

Take a look at www.wateraid.org/nepal - It’s full of case studies, photos and news from our country programme in Nepal, including details of the specific water and sanitation crisis in this diverse landscape.

“I was very happy to see the water coming from the tap. I washed my hands, legs and drank water. It was such a joy."

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How do you transform a Sewage Treatments Works into an award winning project?

Think Murphy.

Murphy has used its skills in the design, construction, commissioning and maintenance of water assets in the Deephams Sewage Treatment Works to create a new terminal pumping station, inlet works and storm tanks. The project has pushed concrete technology boundaries to achieve appropriate mixes, shapes and structures and enhance the efficiency of treating sewage at the North London plant, with elements of the treatment process â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;stackedâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; on each other. Overall, the transformation makes maximum use of the limited space, allowing optimum sizing and economy. In fact, the innovative

methods Murphy used were rewarded with the prestigious Concrete Society Civil Engineering Award.

For more than 60 years, Murphy has been building and maintaining the infrastructure of the nation. We continue to break new ground with the design and construction of high-profile projects across a range of key industries. From national tunnelling, power and rail projects to major water and wastewater contracts, pipelines, and process plant construction; with Murphy, the thinking is always as important as the delivery.

Breathing life into infrastructure

For deeper thinking visit www.murphygroup.co.uk

MURPHY GROUP

Rising to the challenge of water sensitive urban construction Thanks to the recently introduced Water Bill and key schedules within the Floods and Water Management Act, sustainable urban drainage systems, or SuDS, are at last beginning to gain real traction.

Now becoming a standard component of urban drainage system design across England and Wales, SuDS will be used also in AMP6. Water companies will be able to be funded to use SuDS as a means of preventing DG5 flooding and preventing water from entering the sewerage system. This will result in reducing flows for treatment and minimising the costs of surface water pumping.

Ensuring the long-term life of these assets will be critical to successfully capitalising on their sustainability potential ranging from prevention of flooding through improved environmental water quality to reduction in water treatment energy consumption, explains Steve Webber, Business Development Manager for J. Murphy & Sons Limited: “Scotland has of course led the way in this area for many years but until now, in the rest of the UK, SuDS have more often than not been regarded as a novelty solution to providing urban drainage; it was unclear who would maintain them and water companies in particular were not able to adopt them. With better design tools, greater experience of their performance and capability and now the formal recognition of their importance through legislation and soon-to-be introduced standards, that is set to change.

“In the time that it has taken to get SuDS firmly into the tool box of all drainage designers and investors, the replication of natural drainage has transformed into water sensitive urban design (WSUD). This places SuDS at the centre of effective local water capture and supply, as well as in improving urban environments through greater facilitation of greenery, such as trees, green roofs and verges – all crucial components in harvesting rainwater.

“By holding water back during rainfall to prevent down-stream flooding and providing filtration to improve water quality, SuDS can actually create a water resource that can be used for well over 80% of our domestic water needs. Of the 150 litres of water that the average person in England and Wales uses in the home daily, less than 15% is needed for cooking, cleaning and drinking. It is perhaps surprising that the remainder of water treated to near-pure standards is simply flushed away – down toilets, in washing machines or over the garden. Locally-captured water that has received minimal treatment would be more than sufficient for these purposes.

“So with WSUD now beginning to feature in many major new developments, and with new CIRIA guidelines on water sensitive environments just launched, it is imperative that SuDS are built to last.

“The biggest challenge to any contractor engaged to build a development featuring WSUD is to ensure that the construction sequence adopted preserves the porous integrity of the finished surface infrastructure which is vital to the functionality of the drainage system.

“As opposed to traditional drainage systems, SuDS systems are naturally quite complex and feature diverse components each of which requires individual expertise. SuDS and WSUD require more extensive and shallower drainage components to achieve the natural porosity of the surface infrastructure. Traditional drainage systems featuring pipes and tanks comprise often deeply constructed structures and hard pavings enabling the water flow to run away from the site and into peripheral drainage systems.

Infrastructure comprising water sensitive

features however will, by its very nature, include porous surfaces such as permeable pavements, grass verges and planting strips, surface drainage networks and surface storage vessels.

Constructing these systems requires a whole new way of thinking during both the design and build process.

“Where the water sensitive design extends into the building itself at roof level, through green roofs or water recycling for instance, the WSUD contractor of the future will have to be expert in ensuring the integration of water sensitive components into a more sophisticated urban infrastructure than has been the case until now. Typical SuDS and more importantly Water Sensitive Urban Design components also require a range of other specialist skills from landscaping to shallow surface drainage akin to field drainage, and M&E and MEICA skills.

“This will create demand for a new breed of contractor who is adept in all aspects of urban construction rather than the current favoured approach in which a large number of specialist contractors from ground works through to fit out are deployed in the construction of urban developments.

“The introduction of WSUD into new developments as well as the refurbishment of existing urban environments will in its own way transform the build process. Those companies that have greater ownership over their workforce and control the training and quality of their work will become the dominant force in delivering the more sophisticated but also more sustainable urban landscapes of the future. It’s true that the journey to achieving truly sustainable drainage and water management systems in our towns and cities has been lengthy, but for those contractors with the capability to embrace the multi-skilled and multi-faceted requirements of water sensitive urban design, the future is bright. The effective use of SuDS presents opportunities to transform urban landscapes and to simultaneously protect the community from costly and potentially lifethreatening flooding and acute water shortage; a challenge that is certainly worth rising to.”

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Cracking the code on leadership, mobilisation and engagement Author:

Giles Hay, Project Manager Email: gileshay@egremontgroup.com Telephone: 020 7298 7878 www.egremontgroup.com

Keeping up with today’s pace of change The pace of change over the last 10 years in the world, and indeed the industry, has increased exponentially. If this is anything to go by then the next 10 years will produce change at an even greater rate.

Looking back at the last 10 years who could have imagined the number and scale of social and economic developments of the world we live in today? Facebook didn’t exist but now has 1bn users and is worth $60bn. The self-portrait has turned into video sharing – 6bn hours of video are watched on YouTube monthly. It doesn’t matter where you are or what time it is, the 5m global wifi hotspots ensure you are always connected.

In short, we have new and ever changing ways of connecting with each other.

At the same time, the pressures on the water industry have been increasing in number and intensity. Executives are getting to grips with balancing the need for external investors and offering attractive rates for return without compromising asset stewardship. Competition will bring with it significant profit opportunity - estimated at £2bn upstream and £200m in retail trading. Infrastructure capacity and age is being put to the test every day by our changing demographics; by 2025 the UN predicts the population is going to be 67 million in the UK alone and 25% will be over 65. Some 295,000 new homes per year may be needed by 2031 to meet expected demand. Energy will dominate our thinking – going by the last 5-6 years where prices have roughly doubled we will need to be ultra-energy efficient in the future.

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Unlocking the true potential of the organisation requires us to think, act and communicate differently.

What makes this harder than ever before is the chaotic, turbulent, and rapidly changing business environment that characterises today’s “new normal”.

There has been a fundamental shift in focus to Totex over this last AMP. This means that the traditional view of issues within the industry to be tackled is changing and challenging us in different ways to before. The focus is now on minimising cost and removing wasteful processes.

Challenge to the Water Industry Jonson Cox, Chairman of Ofwat, stated in his lecture ‘Observations on the regulation of the water sector’ (March 2013) that it was clear just how much more the sector can do to raise its game by building on existing successes, to reduce the cost of service to customers and to ensure that public confidence in a robust water and waste water sector is maintained.

As business leaders today we are operating at a time when the forces of technological and social change and the historic rebalancing of global economic activity have made today’s problems increasingly complex, the pace of change faster than ever and the markets more volatile.

Tomorrow’s leadership requirements The fast changing world calls for an approach to leadership that is more geared to constant change than status quo. In AMP 6 there will be continued pressure on costs, efficiency and serviceability - which means everyone will have to maintain a continuous process of improvement. Increasingly, this will require working across the organisation and through traditional functions and silos in a more dynamic, aligned and integrated way.

This integrated end-to-end process world requires dynamic and change orientated leadership. In practical terms this means defining and shaping what problems actually need to be solved, as well as actually solving them.

Kirton’s Adaption-Innovation Inventory measures people’s characteristic preferred style of creativity and problem solving. In short, it attempts to measure the methodology an individual uses to bring about change.

The ever increasing number of variables at play, place an ever-greater premium on developing innovative and unique solutions.

Based on Kirton’s approach, our research into leaders’ cognitive problem solving style tells us that there is a need for greater diversity within management:

Today we need leaders that can:

n Diversity of thinking and problem solving

n Make sense of this high tempo ever changing world

n Structure and discipline in executing plans and ideas

n Develop bespoke solutions

n Imagination and creativity to develop and really stretch the art of the possible.

n Mobilise and engage the workforce All whilst balancing the requirements of internal and external stakeholders.

EGREMONT GROUP There is now a significant opportunity to orientate future leaders around creating nimble, dynamic, and responsive businesses to comfortably meet customer needs, as well as multiple stakeholder expectations. Our research shows that innovation in cognitive problem solving is increasingly more important as people take on leadership roles.

Our response needs to be different and quicker.

Responding to tomorrow’s challenges at the same pace of change since privatisation (or even the last 10 years) simply won’t make the grade. Understanding how we can incorporate tomorrow’s challenges into our thinking today and how we can mobilise and engage our workforce around this vision could be our elixir.

We should be aiming for a new approach to mobilisation and engagement that gives us:

business around the objectives. With mobilisation and engagement we need to ensure that our workforce is comfortable with change.

n Creativity – holistically developing solutions that are as relevant tomorrow as they are today.

Once we have established our change readiness, there are some practical change techniques we can use to mobilise and engage the workforce:

n Flexibility – moving people and funds between problems and technical competencies irrespective of hierarchical position within the organisation. Staff that are competent and comfortable in a world where the variables change constantly.

n Communication – clarity on where the journey is taking us and the compelling reasons for embarking on the journey is the first step in engaging. How and when to communicate the journey are the next steps.

The key to successful communication is using language and media that are relevant and engaging to the workforce of today and align with how they communicate in their own lives.

n Innovation – industry leading ways of driving high performance from new operating models to asset maintenance strategies. n Speed of response – real time insight that highlights business problems and allows a measured response and avoids the need for crisis management.

Why is mobilisation and engagement so important?

Workers are increasingly less loyal and transient.

It is estimated that the UK voluntary average for staff turnover is 10%, costing the UK £42bn a year. If we agree our world is complex and fast changing, then we need to get a handle on this new approach sooner rather than later.

Being bold and brave in an uncertain world is not going to be as easy as it sounds. Resilience and intelligence are qualities traditionally associated with leadership. But we need more; the capacity to inspire is essential. The ability to connect and engage in a timely and relevant manner is crucial.

Practically this means that organisations need to be comfortable with, and have the processes and systems in place for devolved accountability where the operators become the stewards of the business.

How to mobilise and engage the work force?

Calibration of our starting point is key. In order to know where to go, we need to know where we are coming from.

Having an understanding of how change ready the organisation is allows us to understand what actions we need to take in order to mobilise the

n Pulsing the organisation – focus groups can be used to great effect when it comes to understanding the true state of operations.

Listening and reacting positively to themes raised is a key step in building trust. n Trust and transparency – the level of trust in business relationships is the greatest determinant of success. Therefore we need to establish a practical way for implementing and measuring those elements of the Trust Formula put forward by David Maister. n Devolved accountability – often one of the hardest elements of engagement to implement, but if there is sufficient trust within the organisation then accountability for the operations is best managed at the level closest to actual performance. If the workforce is responsible for operational performance our experience shows that they also become the stewards of the business.

How to put a price on goodwill and ownership of business performance? At the same time leaders need to create a positive environment that encourages problem solving and practical creativity. n Having the right tools for the job – if operations are going to take accountability for the organisation’s infrastructure, and ultimately business performance, then it is absolutely vital to have relevant and timely performance data available. This will highlight problems early on in the cycle and allow for better solution ownership.

n Networked organisations – internally networked organisations share information more readily and less hierarchically, collaboration across organisational silos is more common, and tasks are more often tackled in a project-based fashion. This gives organisations a mechanism to harness the knowledge and creativity within the organisation to best effect.

An engaged and aligned workforce delivers better performance Growth is driven by ever better ways to use workers and resources. Being bold in this high tempo world and taking a fresh approach to a new kind of leadership and engagement model, where the organisation is well connected and networked, will bring with it just rewards.

We need to be honest with ourselves when assessing our organisation’s performance and the degree to which we have the right leadership and engagement model in place. n Are we getting what the organisation needs from the current Leadership Development Programme? n Is there a shared and aligned understanding of the business’ objectives? n Are our most valuable assets focused on the real business problems and dilemmas? n Are we measuring the right aspects of the organisation’s performance to give us maximum return on our investment?

Peter Drucker was right when he said “what gets measured gets managed”, but Robert Sternberg is also right when he says that we need “to move beyond the narrow conceptions of the skills needed for life”, in other words we need to measure what really matters.

The rewards for breaking the code on leadership, mobilisation and engagement can be huge.

Leading an engaged and aligned organisation and being able to quickly counter today’s complex and uncertain world with vision, creativity, flexibility and innovation will allow the organisation to thrive.

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Energy in the water industry – a Northumbrian Water perspective Energy seems to be the current hot topic on everyone’s agenda. Nowadays, whatever scientific magazine, journal or newspaper you pick up there is always some article relating to it ranging from improving efficiency to alternative fuels. In the face of rising electricity costs in today’s energy hungry environment, companies are increasingly looking at means to reduce energy consumption or self-generate it from renewable or sustainable sources.

Howdon ADD

Howdon ADD

by R.Chin-See According to Water UK, the UK Water Industry accounts for 3-4% of UK energy usage which equates to just under 1% of total UK greenhouse gas emissions. The Environment Agency estimates a staggering 2800GWh of electricity is consumed on average, to treat the 10 billion litres of sewage produced daily in the UK. In addition to these figures, issues of climate change, government targets, reducing the carbon footprint and the green agenda are also other factors inextricably linked with energy usage.

The water industry has its part to play in helping to reduce these numbers and has been investing in renewable energy schemes, which has resulted in approximately 6.5% of energy being generated from renewable sources compared to 2.7% in the general economy.

Northumbrian Water (NW) has set itself the goal to be the national leader in the provision of water and waste water services. It has outlined its objectives to achieve this vision and an aspect of this is a 35% reduction of its carbon emissions by 2020 and to produce 20% of its electricity used within the business from renewable sources.

This article highlights two recent projects within NW aimed at achieving these goals.

Howdon Sewage Treatment Works Advanced Anaerobic Digestion (AAD) Disposal of sludge from sewage and water treatment has traditionally been a problem for many water companies. In the past, waste was typically disposed of at sea but was stopped in

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Mosswood Turbine

1998. Other avenues now include sending to landfill, incineration or use as fertiliser.

The use of advanced anaerobic digestion allows what was previously thought of as waste to be used more productively as fuel and has opened up new avenues for the business.

Anaerobic digestion involves the use of anaerobic bacteria to feed on organic material, in this case, sewage sludge. This bacteria thrives in environments where there is an absence of, or very low oxygen levels. A by-product of this organic process is the production of a ‘biogas’ (predominantly methane). Biogas is captured and fed through three 2 Megawatt (MW) combined heat and power engines which drive a generator to produce electricity. This power is then used to feed the Howdon site and any surplus produced can be fed back into the National Grid. Typically the site uses 108 MWh/day but AAD now produces approximately 85MWh of that total per day.

During certain conditions (e.g. low flows at night time) the Howdon site is energy self sufficient.

While the technology of anaerobic digestion is not new, the use of a thermal hydrolysis plant (Cambi) to boost gas yield was a new step for NW. Several other elements were utilised during the construction of Howdon AAD to maximise the efficiency of the plant such as using waste heat to help pre-heat other parts of the process and using treated final effluent for dilution water. NW has led the field using this innovative technology and several other water companies are following suit to utilise what is an inexhaustible form of renewable energy.

The construction of the £34 million Howdon AAD scheme followed the success of its sister plant at Bran Sands in Teesside. Both sites now enable NW to fully treat and process 100% of North East sewage waste through this method. Processing of this sludge and the subsequent production of biogas has allowed NW to generate its own electricity, which has helped the company to reduce its carbon footprint and look to new ways of dealing with sludge on several fronts, namely: n Reducing the volume and transportation of waste (down from 90,000 tankers to 10,000 trailers). n Treatment of waste sludge. n Generating biogas for electricity. n Reducing electricity usage onsite. n Feeding excess electricity to the national grid. n Producing a nitrate rich organic fertiliser safe for use in agriculture.

Mosswood Hydro Turbine Mosswood water treatment works (WTW) is large sized facility for NW and is fed by gravity from Derwent Reservoir. It treats approximately 130 Ml/D of water and serves a population of about 500,000 people in the North Durham, Sunderland and South Tyneside areas.

Generating hydro-electric power at Mosswood WTW was not a new idea; in fact, the concept to install a turbine in the incoming flow of the works was conceived a decade ago. However, it has only recently become economically feasible to

FEATURE:ENERGY implement the idea. The hydro-electric premise uses the potential head and kinetic energy the of the incoming water to turn a turbine connected to a shaft, which in turn spins a generator to produce electricity.

The scheme was designated as an efficiency project with a budget of £1.3 million. The hydro turbine, installed by J N Bentley and turbine sub-contractor NHT Engineering, uses a 22” diameter vertical axial flow turbine that allows for a low head of water (approximately 22 metres) and a variable flow which suits the plant as water demand invariably changes throughout the day.

The guide vanes are able to turn 90° while the runner blade underneath can pitch 40°. The variable pitch of the runner blades perform inlet flow control to the treatment works, while the runner blades adjust to maintain the optimum efficiency of the turbine.

The turbine is rated to deliver 185kW instantaneous power at peak performance. It currently delivers around 180kWh (4320kW/day) while the site itself consumes 450kWh (10800kW/ day) thereby providing approximately a third of the site’s energy demand. It is estimated the turbine will save about 1.3 million kWh/year on electricity costs, representing a significant reduction in operating costs and energy demand from the National Grid.

The addition of the Mosswood turbine also adds to NW’s existing portfolio of renewable hydro-electric assets that include Selset Hydro (in the Lune Valley, County Durham) and Kielder Hydro (in Northumberland), which is the largest hydro-electric plant in England. Kielder produces 6MW of electricity from two dual turbines via a combination of a main 5.5MW Kaplan turbine and a smaller 500kW Francis turbine that generates constantly from compensation water released into the River Tyne. It produces an average of 20,000 MWh of electricity per year, saving 8,600 tonnes of Carbon Dioxide (CO2) in the process.

In Summary These schemes represent a significant boost for NW in helping to reduce its environmental impact, energy demand and makes headway into achieving the company energy and CO2 reduction targets. On the back of this, it has had the benefit in reducing operating costs, these savings have been reflected in customer bills by enabling NW charges to remain amongst the cheapest in the country during 2012-2013.

Increasing energy costs are faced by all and the tide does not seem to be abating. High users are being forced to analyse where efficiencies and savings can be made and maximising existing resources. The introduction and implementation of new technology and the exploration of new avenues and ideas to improve all add to final goal to achieve the set targets. This may include reassessing old ideas or coming up with innovative concepts. The water industry still has a long way to go but it is encouraging to see it is already setting the pace.

David McDermott Northumbrian Water Project Manager David Pattinson Site Team Leader and Emma Jennings Site Manager

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How the water industry can embrace the digital era Barrie Cressey at Schneider Electric talks about how water companies can embrace the digital age to cope with the insatiable demand for clean water that doesnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t cost the earth.

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FEATURE:ENERGY Rapid urbanisation and a growing global population has meant that demand for freshwater is constantly rising, while agriculture and livestock farming has led to a consistent rise in water usage – currently in the UK this stands at 184 million m³ annually*. In addition, there is a lot of talk about the ‘Water Energy Nexus’ – whereby a lot of water is used in energy production, and on the flip side a substantial amount of energy is needed to deliver a water & waste water service.

According to the UN the global population will grow to 9 billion by 2050. People are living longer, cities are expanding and the effect that this will have on global energy demand, particularly water, is worrying. Water operators are therefore having to dramatically change their attitudes to energy management if they are going to be able to continue to offer water to a growing population at fair rates, while managing their energy costs.

When considering water and wastewater treatment, it’s fair to say that operators acknowledge plants currently use huge amounts of energy to process water, ensuring that it is clean, safe and pumped at the correct pressure level and speed 24/7. In terms of operational expenditure, we know that energy makes up around a third of total spend – double the amount spent on chemicals and around the same as is spent on staffing. Aeration is by far the largest energy user for wastewater treatment at 60 per cent of the total whereas pumping is the largest consumer of energy in water treatment.

In an environment of rising costs but steady water prices, energy is a key area that water operators need to consider in order to cut expenditures.

Energy demand is due to double by 2050 (IEA 2007), while the need to cut CO2 emissions will at the same time become ever more important. The water industry will always need to consume vast amounts of energy in order to perform. The best way forward for operators as a consequence is to make the most of the energy they consume.

So how can water companies achieve better energy efficiency? The simple answer is by reducing leakage and wastage and being smarter about pumping performance to meet demand. But there is more to the story than that.

There is no single or quick fix solution to this.

Rather it comes down to knowledge – the more you know about your water network, the better it can be managed. Hence smart water networks are vital for operators looking to improve the efficiency, longevity and reliability of the utility’s network of pipes, pumps, reservoirs and valves. By measuring, collecting and analysing data in realtime, operators can be much more flexible when it comes to pressure optimisation or incident management. A holistic view of the water network allows for automated control and optimisation of complex processes, and timely decision making in areas that can benefit from corrective actions – identifying and isolating leaks for example.

Globally, every country has a different system when it comes to providing water. Here in the UK, our water supply industry led the way in

constructing a complex distribution infrastructure and we are lucky enough to live in a place where everybody has access to clean water. We also have a reasonably forward-thinking set of water companies, who are being smart about using software and monitoring tools to manage the water infrastructure needed to meet demand, and therefore measure their energy usage. However, our ageing pipe system means we are having to continuously work harder to deliver this resource.

Though here in the UK many water companies are in the process of upgrading their dated legacy telemetry systems, we know that it has to go further in order to ensure water is managed more efficiently. Data is at the heart of managing energy consumption effectively, and the water company that makes the most of its data – via a combination of telemetry, SCADA and real time control, and a set of software solutions to help accurately monitor and manage – will be most adequately prepared for the future.

However, often systems are disparate due to the age of our water infrastructure and don’t integrate easily into one single network, which is perhaps why water companies have been slow to jump onto the smart network bandwagon.

In fact, the issue of achieving integration and communication between disparate systems has long been debated, being viewed by many as a difficult and highly costly process, throughout both the installation and operational phases.

Each of the different disciplines which exist within the water and wastewater facility require robust, dedicated solutions to manage, control and monitor that specific environment in detail. This leaves many overwhelmed with large volumes of data delivered from each of these systems – much of which is duplicated – on a daily basis. In effect, many are left data rich, but information poor.

But that doesn’t mean it isn’t possible. With a variety of products and software available, which can be integrated within the infrastructure, the water network can be transformed into an online, complex control system which can even predict the impact of disruptions on process function.

Leaks and burst pipes are common occurrences, and a smart water network and associated software solutions can go some way to help forecast faults. Any site operator can therefore manage water installations remotely and adapt to local conditions.

By optimising hydraulics across the pumping and distribution network, operators can calculate in real time the optimal configuration based on extensive data which considers fluctuation in demand, disruptions or incidents and energy consumption as well as utility rates. This helps operators smooth out consumption peaks and also monitor the energy cost-to-pump efficiency ratio, combining several pumping stations to increase yield.

For an enterprise to gain a truly holistic view of their facility, the findings from each of these systems needs to be collated and directed to a central point, enabling users to make informed decisions around energy consumption and efficiency across all domains. Traditionally, this level of integration has come at a premium cost throughout both the installation and operational phases.

However, there is a small group of companies that are developing software platforms to deliver visibility into energy and resource across any organisation. Users can access real and accurate, actionable data from shop floor to top floor, eliminating the Information Gap that has traditionally existed between informational and operational technology roles.

Water is already lagging behind other industries which are using smart automated networks to manage costs and increase operating efficiency, and now is the time for operators to act to improve the running of their networks. With energy costs and demand rising, it is imperative that operators have full visibility across their entire network, in order to predict incidents, automate processes and eventually create tangible energy and cost savings to future-proof the existence of the precious commodity.

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Investing in renewable energy Severn Trent is the UKâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s second largest water utility serving 8 million customers. Our business faces an increasing need for energy; to ensure supply resilience as a consequence of climate change and ever tightening quality standards. As a large electricity consumer of around 900GWh per annum, maximizing renewable energy generation from sewage, water and our landholdings is an essential part of our strategy to minimise our GHG emissions.

In 2011/12 Severn Trent generated 208GWh of electricity from renewable sources which satisfied nearly a quarter of our electricity needs and saved over 100,000 tCO2e. By 2014/15 we are planning to increase this to over 30% by reducing our overall demand through efficiency savings and by producing even more renewable energy.

Our current renewable energy portfolio includes generation from sewage gas (combined heat and power (CHP)), hydro generation and Energy Crop CHP.

Sewage Gas CHP At 36 of our largest sewage treatment works, we have installed a total of 55 combined heat and power plants (CHP) in sizes ranging from 100kw upto 1.4MW. These CHPs are fuelled by a methane rich biogas which is produced in our sewage sludge anaerobic digesters. These CHPs produced 188GWh of electricity last year which is used to power our sewage treatment processes. The heat

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produced by these units is used to maintain the temperature required in our anaerobic digesters at 36 degrees. The fleet of CHPs are maintained by our in house service team who operate on a 24/7 basis to ensure that these units are available to run continuously. Our largest sewage treatment works at Minworth (fig1) , which serves Birmingham currently has a 7 CHP generators installed with a combined capacity of 10.5MW.

Hydro Generation We currently produce electricity from river compensation flows at Clywedog and Vyrnwy in Wales, at Melbourne in Leicestershire and also at Ladybower reservoir in North Derbyshire.

We produce around 5GWh of electricity from these generators, with Clywedog (fig2) being our largest hydro site with 700kw of generation installed.

Energy Crop CHP Surrounding our Stoke Bardolph sewage

treatment works in Nottingham, Severn Trent owns a 2000 acre farm estate. This land has been used historically for the recycling of waste arisings from the city. The land is classed as dedicated land as it contains elevated levels of heavy metals, a legacy from historical recycling activities. As a consequence, the land cannot be used to grow crops for human consumption but lying close the River Trent, the land is well drained and extremely fertile.

In 2010 Severn Trent constructed the UKâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s largest Energy Crop Anaerobic Digestion plant (fig3). The plant anaerobically digests 40,000tonnes of crops grown on the farm estate, and converts this into methane which is then used in a combined heat and power plant to produce 15GWh of electricity each year, equivalent to supplying around 4,500 homes. The digestate produced at the end of the process makes a well balance natural fertiliser which is re-applied on to the land to help grow next years crop. Both the heat and the power

FEATURE:ENERGY

of electricity each year. We also have planning consent to erect a 900kw wind turbine on our sewage works in Lichfield and we are currently preparing for this turbine to become operational in 2014.

produced from the plant is used to help power the adjacent sewage treatment works, making the sewage treatment operation on this site truly sustainable.

This year, as we continue with our investment programme into renewable energy, we will see increased levels of generation.

We have recently installed a third 1MW CHP unit at our energy crop plant which will produce more power as plant efficiency increases and new highenergy specific plant varieties are used.

At Minworth sewage treatment works we have just awarded contracts with process contractor Imtech and the National Grid for the construction of a biomethane upgrade plant which will purify and enrich around 1200m3/hr of sewage gas before injecting it in to the national gas network. This plant is programmed for completion in mid 2014.

We currently have contractors mobilised on three sites, at Leicester, Nottingham and Derby preparing foundations ready for 4 wind turbines that will become operational later this year. These wind turbines are each rated at 2.5MW and in total are expected to generate around 20GWh

To maintain this momentum in renewable energy growth we are investigating the potential to install additional hydro generation at our reservoirs to generate power from winter spill flows or the possibility for run of river hydro on some of the large reservoir inflows. We are also exploring the potential to construct large solar farms on some of our sites and continuing with our drive to reduce overall consumption, a strategy which will see us exceed our 30% renewable energy target.

Martin Dent Severn Trent Water Ltd Renewable Energy Development Manager

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VEOLIA WATER

Intelligent networks – opening up a world of opportunity for the water industry Veolia Water recognises the significance of intelligent networks for improving operational performance, managing assets and improving sustainability.

The purpose of ViiO, Veolia’s Integrated Intelligent Operations system, is to pull together data from multiple sources, both historic and real-time and to use it to understand and predict performance issues in water and wastewater networks. This will enable interventions, which will allow Veolia Water to eliminate service failures, minimise operational and capital expenditure, and maximise revenue.

ViiO is not just about data capture; it’s about turning data into information. The information generated is where the intelligence lies as it is fed into expert systems and decision support tools.

These systems contain knowledge and combine experience with real-time automation and control to constantly optimise network performance. ViiO

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includes decision support tools which use multicriteria analytics which enables more holistic decisions to be taken.

Network managers assimilate an enormous array of information on a daily basis; typically spread sheets or other systems detailing such things as energy consumption, chemical usage, budgets, work management systems, charts on whiteboards, engineers’ diaries, company vehicle types, their availability and locations, staff availability, skill levels, authorisations - the list is endless, and all this information can be integrated within the intelligent solution.

The final link in the chain is the ability to have automatic interventions on the network or on

systems and processes that affect the networks in real-time, for example, progressive valve operations, network re-zoning, pump and dosing unit control, and sewer flow control and flushing.

ViiO is applicable to all types and sizes of water networks ranging from small private networks to the largest ‘public’ networks and is integrated into the whole range of Veolia’s services, from capital delivery for water companies, through to operating water and waste water networks at airports.

www.veoliawater.co.uk

We create chemistry that helps water love solutions.

BASF understands today’s global water management challenges and is responding by delivering world-class technologies and developing sustainable solutions. From water production, through water use and water purification, BASF has leveraged its expertise and extensive capabilities to protect, conserve and sustain the earth’s most precious resource – water.

As the world’s leading chemical company, we are dedicated to your success by bringing to you over 100 years of comprehensive experience, technology, innovation and commitment. At BASF, we create chemistry. www.watersolutions.basf.com

HUBER

Grit Collection on AD Plant Huber UK is pleased to announce the sale of their first Longitudinal Grit Trap for removal of grit and glass from Anaerobic Digestion soup in the UK. The design based on their well proven municipal grit trap has been installed in 16 AD locations in Europe with 11 units supplied to 1 AD client. The AD version for Biosolids is a heavy duty version of the Municipal Grit traps and there are 144 municipal units installed.

Grit Auger removed for transit

The problems of grit and glass collecting in Digesters, tanks and causing wear in pumps and pipework is considerably reduced by installing a correctly sized grit trap. Huber has removed up to 3% of the flow as grit and glass in their AD grit trap.

The flow is controlled in a constant velocity channel with a weir across the end of the channel. The grit settles in the base and is bought to the collection box by a horizontal auger. The horizontal grit auger travels in a counter flow direction and is pulsed to release biomass.

Air is injected into the base of the tank to give a circular motion in the tank across the flow. This keeps the biomass in suspension and facilites the scum to be circulated into the scum auger.

Grit Trap for 50M3/hour digestate at 10-14% DS

For more details contact Tony Clutten, Process Sales Manager, Huber UK.

Mobile: 07525224521 E mail: tc@huber.co.uk www.huber.co.uk

Grit is raised above the water line by an inclined auger and discharged either right or left into a skip.The auger drains and slightly compacts the grit. Huber can supply a grit washer as a retrofit to wash out any Biomass entrapped in the grit.

Liquids Under Control Specialist in the design, manufacture, supply & installation of pumps, controls & valves, complimented by our support services.

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$TXDYDXOW™ resilient seat wedge gate valves used for pipeline isolation.

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HWM

Pocket-Sized Electronic Listening Stick for Acoustic Leak Detection The new Tmic from HWM is a highly cost effective monitoring tool for identifying leak noises on the water network that would otherwise be inaudible to the human ear.

The lightweight and portable device allows operators to hear amplified sound via high quality, rechargeable wireless Bluetooth headphones, while an LED display simultaneously shows a clear visual representation of noise levels â&#x20AC;&#x201C; all in a package small enough to fit in a shirt pocket.

By storing the previous reading in its built-in memory, Tmic allows the operator to visually compare current and previously recorded noise levels. This lets the user quickly determine whether a noise is caused by a leak and, if so, where the most likely position of the leak is. The high quality digital sensor can be placed directly on the pipe or coupling and provides levels of sensitivity and noise quality far beyond what is possible with mechanical listening sticks. An additional magnetic attachment is available if required and the Tmic can also be connected to a detachable metre long extension rod to access congested or difficult to reach areas.

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Leixlip Water Treatment Works, together with John Conboy, one of the 50 ABB Energy Appraisal Team members, investigated the workâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s pumps energyTreatment use. By installing four ABBwith Leixlip Water Works, together variable-speed drives a saving of kWhrs John Conboy, one of the 50 ABB 3,179,904 Energy was made totalling ĂŤ508,784 per year with a Appraisal Team members, investigated the workâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s payback of lessuse. thanByone year. four ABB pumps energy installing variable-speed drives a saving of 3,179,904 kWhrs To out totalling how, watch the video: wasfind made ĂŤ508,784 per year with a www.abb.co.uk/energy payback of less than one year.

To find out how, watch the video: www.abb.co.uk/energy

An ergonomic, robust design and long battery life from standard alkaline cells mean that Tmic is always ready to use in any situation. Weighing just 180 grams, it can be easily carried in a shirt or trouser pocket, and a bright LED torch is built into the head for use at night or to investigate dark chambers.

For additional convenience, the wireless headphones ensure full freedom of movement with no risk of tangled cables, and the unit is supplied with its accessories in a durable carrying case with precision cut foam compartments to protect all components in transit.

Since the earliest days of leak detection operators have listened for the noise generated by water escaping from buried supply pipes under pressure.

Contrary to common perception, it is not always the largest leaks which produce the loudest noise; often a large split in a water pipe will produce a quieter sound than a small hole. Traditional mechanical listening sticks rely on only one of the userâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s senses: hearing. However, not all leaks produce a noise audible to the human ear. Therefore, an electronic acoustic sensor which amplifies noise below the unaided audible threshold, and visually displays the result, is now considered a highly valuable tool when surveying for underground leaks or confirming a leak position prior to digging.

,:2BKDOIB/HL[OLSBY LQGG

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Integrated Solutions for the Water Sector.

URS offers multidisciplinary professional services in all aspects of water management. Our activities encompass the complete water cycle across a broad spectrum of industries. An integrated approach provides our clients with tailored and holistic services that respond to the growing importance of global environmental issues.

URS provides a start-to-completion service. Our projects range in scale from local schemes, such as flood risk assessments or individual treatment works, through to planning for large scale multimillion pound developments and preparation of long term water strategies.

URSGLOBAL.COM

Advanced Digestion - the changing face of sustainable wastewater service Advanced Digestion (AD) is the key to maximising renewable power generation and has become an integral part of many of the UK water companies’ strategies to achieving their sustainability targets and moving towards power self-sufficient wastewater service. Over the last eight years, Imtech has worked with many of the leading water companies to deliver their AD projects and has played a leading role in AD’s overall development. The company has also charted the progress of AD through numerous articles and is now looking forward to the next chapter in AD.

and Afan. These plants have worked very well, achieving almost 60% destruction of volatile solids at Cardiff, operational savings of over £5M/y and an operational carbon saving of over 50,000tCO2/y, equivalent to the beneficial effect of a forest of five million trees.

Northumbrian Water now processes all its sludge through Advanced Digestion. GTM (a joint venture between Imtech and Galliford Try) commissioned its latest thermal AD plant for Northumbrian Water earlier this year. Howdon AD is now power self sufficient and renewable power generation offsets 40% of power use for Northumbrian Waters overall wastewater service. Howdon treats up to 40,000tDS/y, with capacity to treat indigenous sludge and sludge cake imported from other outlying treatment works.

This integrated project includes dewatering, cake reception, thermal hydrolysis plant, three 6000m3 digesters and 6MWe of CHP units.

Severn Trent is leading the way with Gas-to-Grid with delivery of a 1500m³/h plant now being delivered by LORIMTECH, a joint venture between Laing O’Rourke and Imtech, at Minworth.

AD includes a biological or thermal pre-treatment stage to help maximise the conversion of organic material to biogas. It improves pathogen destruction to produce a high quality enhanced treated sludge that can be beneficially recycled to local agriculture at reduced costs.

Anglian Water was one of the first water companies to adopt AD and Imtech was selected to help deliver its AMP4 Biosolids programme as part of its Special Projects team. This programme included four AD plants – two enhanced enzymic hydrolysis plants at Kings Lynn and Great Billing using technology developed by United Utilities and licensed to Monsal, and two thermal hydrolysis plants at Cottonvalley and Whitlingham using Cambi technology. Anglian Water has now commissioned the first two of four AMP 6 projects at Basildon and Cliff Quay, and is now increasing renewable energy generation towards 70 GWh/y, with a target of almost 90 GWh/y by the end of AMP 5.

In addition, Tamesis, another joint venture between Laing O’Rourke and Imtech, is delivering two new AD plants for Thames Water at Crossness and Beckton.

These plants have built on lessons learned from other plants and include additional innovations including Bucher presses which will dewater the treated sludge to approximately 40% DS before storage and recycling to agriculture.

Imtech continues to further develop innovative solutions to maximise the benefit of AD. The next step is to incorporate food waste and several water companies are looking to food waste AD to provide additional services to their customers and further enhance renewable power generation. AD has helped deliver significant increases in renewable power generation, and when integrated with efficient wastewater treatment, allows power self-sufficient wastewater service.

Dǒr Cymru Welsh Water has continued to drive improved performance from its AD plants and has recorded its first week of achieving 1GWh of renewable power. Their sludge strategy has moved away from energy intensive and expensive thermal drying to Advanced Digestion and renewable power generation. Here, the company has installed an enhanced enzymic hydrolysis plant at Eign, Hereford.

But the real challenge was secondary sludge digestion at Cardiff. Following successful testwork Imtech installed thermal AD plants at both Cardiff

Visit

www.imtech.co.uk to discover more

ABB The world’s first IE4 synchronous reluctance motor and drive package from ABB is saving South Staffs Water an additional 6 percent in energy costs

First IE4 synchronous reluctance motor and drive package installed The world’s first IE4 synchronous reluctance motor and drive package (SynRM) from ABB has replaced an induction motor-based variable-speed drive package at South Staffs Water resulting in an additional six percent energy saving.

At Somerford Pumping Station the company needed to replace a 20-year old, 115 kW induction motor used to control a single vertical shaft driven borehole pump which abstracts 2.5 million litres of water each day. The IE2 motor was already using an ABB drive, ACS800, and had therefore maximized the process energy saving opportunities presented by the drive’s flux optimization function.

The installation meant removing the existing drive and replacing it with an ABB drive, ACS850, featuring a more powerful core processor that enables operation with the synchronous reluctance motor along with the next generation direct torque control (DTC), which avoids the need for encoders and speed feedback devices.

The results from this SynRM package exceeded South Staffs Water’s expectations.

“The biggest benefit, above all others, is the six percent reduction in energy,” explains Keith Marshall, Supply Director at South Staffs Water.

“While being one of the most efficient companies in the industry, our electricity bill is more than £9 million per year and rising through increases in wholesale energy prices. Pumping water accounts for some 90 percent of this spend as we have one of the highest pumping head of any UK water utility because of the deep boreholes and hilly terrain within our area of supply. So a six percent reduction on one pump in a system that was already very efficient is massive news for us.

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“Including the UK government’s Enhanced Capital Allowances (ECAs), we estimate the return on investment to be between five to six years. Given that the existing drive and motor were already fairly efficient and therefore squeezing more savings was always going to be difficult, then this is a very acceptable return.”

A SynRM rotor has neither a conducting short circuit cage as with the induction motor, nor permanent magnets, nor a field excitation winding. Instead, the magnetic principle of reluctance is utilised. The streamlined rotor structure eliminates rotor cage losses, therefore increasing efficiency and compactness. Achieving standard power and torque levels at a low temperature rise class improves the lifetime of the motor insulation and lengthens the bearing lifetime or greasing intervals.

At South Staffs Water, the SynRM design has resulted in 58 percent reduction in frame temperature compared to the induction motor. “In the summer lots of sites run hot and using SynRM across more sites means we can dramatically reduce the need for forced ventilation,” says Marshall. “As the rotor has effectively no losses this lowers the bearing temperature. This means we can either choose to extend the period between greasing or increase the bearing life expectancy.”

The SynRM has resulted in a 75 percent reduction in audible noise: down from 78 dBA to 72.3 dBA when running at 1,450 rpm. “While Somerford is remote, the use of SynRM at booster stations close to residential areas is fantastic news for our neighbours and employees,” explains Marshall.

“What is significant is that we chose to trial the SynRM on an application that was already using leading edge drive technology, although it was controlling a 20-year old high efficiency induction motor,” explains Glen Hickman from Sentridge Control, the company responsible for designing the installation and commissioning the application.

Such is the belief in the potential savings that South Staffs Water has brought forward its Investment Programme to capitalise sooner on the benefits.

ABB Limited Tel: 01925 741 111; Email energy@gb.abb.com; Web: www.abb.co.uk/energy For more information view the videos using the links below http://www.youtube.com/user/ ABBmotorsgenerators http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LKgVXk72spY

quantum controls

Hire Drive proves over £100k saving

An example for each pump can be shown as follows: n 90KW, Star Delta pump running 12 hours a day 7 days per week

Northumbrian Water are saving over £100k a year on pump running costs after hiring Drives from Quantum to prove the saving prior to investment.

Present fixed speed running data per week 5,712kWH £456.96 Cost 3.08 Ton Co2 VSD Control comparison per week 4,284kWH Saved £342.72 Cost Saved 2.31 Co2 Ton Saved

An anaerobic digester uses microorganisms to break down biodegradable material such as sewage waste. The company was experiencing a problem with the  pumps on the three digester tanks that make up the anaerobic digester at its Bran Sands sewage treatment works on Teesside.

Each digester tank had two 90 kW star-delta controlled pumps with no speed control. When run at full speed, the pumps caused a foaming of the liquid in the tanks, making it difficult to control the digestion and to measure the sludge levels.

Just Call:

Hire costs to client £140 per week hire cost Client annual hire costs = £140 x 52 weeks Annual Cost = £7,280 per pump Annual Savings = £17,821.44 per pump Net Profit = £10,541.44 per pump

n Client savings & costs Summary for 3 year hire

Case Study

Year 1 – £17,821.44 energy savings Year 1 – £ 7,280 hire cost

2 – KWH costs increase 5% Lease Drives and Motors Year Year 2 – £18,759.41 energy savings and get the following benefiYear ts 2 – £7,280 hire cost As well as processing the sewage sludge, the digesters also produce methane.

01661 835566

This is supplied to gas fuelled engines which contribute up to 4 MW power, Almost all industries canof benefi t from the installation Year 3 – KWH costs increase 5% helping to offset the site’s total power requirement.

The foaming also interfered of Variable Speed Drives and energy efficient motors Year 3 – £19,746.75 energy savings What is available for with the volume of methane produced. to reduce their carbon footprint and reduce their ever lease?

Year 3 – £7,280 hire cost increasing energy costs. However, this involves an upfront

Variable speed drives Northumbrian• Water contacted Quantum Controls, an ABB Drives Alliance purchase of the equipment which in many cases has not Client total savings over 3 year hire = £56,327.60 member, enquiring • Soft whether starts it could achieve a form of pump control that would been budgeted for by the client.

Client costs over 3 year hire = £21,840 prevent the foaming.

Quantum fitted two low voltage AC drives to one • Electrical motorsControls and Client totaltheir net saving = £ 34,487.60 To help solve this problem Quantum have launched machines of the digester tanks.

As well as giving the ability toorganisations reduce the motor speeds,

and save scheme.

This allows you to install energy saving systems at avoiding the foaming, Quantum Controls alsolease demonstrated a substantial • Switchgear & This is for one pump, if you look at the combined total for all six no upfrontof hardware cost and structure so they are always transformers cost saving for the application through the reduction the energy used by your paymentspumps the 3 years net savings are: £206,871.60 significantly less than energy savings.

• Generators the motors. Quantum Controls measured the difference in power between twoThis scheme delivers CO2 reductions and real cost reduction from day one. pumps running simultaneously, with the first pump being star-delta and the n No up front equipment costs to client • Flow meters second being•controlled bylevel a lowsensing voltage AC drive.

To find out how Quantum can help you with their lease and save scheme just 2 Ultra-sonic

devices

n Client attracts 100% KWH and CO savings for

click on the link now leaseandsave@quantum-controls.co.uk

us now at  Quantum Controls calculated that the overallemail saving based on these results government CRC scheme.

No initial large capital outlay to purchase new equipment Lease cost always less than energy savings achieved would be £107,000, giving a payback period of� 0.27 years.

As well as the n Quantum supply all goods, service cover etc with o Lease Lease cost paid paid for for out out of of energy specificsavings application running cost reduction. monetary savings, Northumbrian Water will also be able totherefore reduce its CO2cost neutral This means lease cost and extra energy saved increases achieved leaseisisneutral no out lay from client. footprint by over 700 metric tons a year, givingoanprofitability additional saving of £8,600 of your operation Reduced energy costs and CO2 emissions for your No hidden cost over the 3 year term for servicing, under the current UK carbon tax credits scheme.

This brings savings � No initial largetotal capital outlayup toto purchase newn equipment Carbon Footprint Installation o Lease cost paid for out of energy savings maintenance or repair. £115,000, with a return on investment of 92 days. � Frees up capital for other energy save products achieved therefore lease is cost neutral

Reduced payments schemes Daniel Fitzsimons, Utilities Account Manager foroo Quantum Controls,onsays: “At such as the CRC Reduced energy costs and CO2 emissions for your � Fixed lease forto upprevent to 3 years first it was not clearcosts howa much to Footprint beprices slowed Up front thing ofthe the pumps past! would need Carbon Installation o Installation and commissioning of equipment by Quantum Controls the foaming. We initially did a test that involved fitting twoprices low voltage AC3 years � Fixed lease for up to For ‘FREE LEASE � No maintenance or up keep costs and commissioning

by Quantum drives on a temporary basis. This would also tellousInstallation if the reduction in pump of equipmentTake the riskControls out or your next energy saving application and hire a drive o Asset managed by Quantum with regular servicing PACK’ visit No maintenance or up keep costs speed would cause any temperature problems�with motors. from Quantum. We will provide before and after monitoring free and onthe siteexisting by our fully qualified service engineers www.quantumo Asset managed by Quantum with regular servicing then present � 24/7 out1500 on all equipment in unlikely event you with the facts….not fiction.

“Utilising our Hire Drive, the speed of the pumps was service reducedcall from rpm to

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ofexcess equipment failure 900 rpm, allowing to pump without causing foaming.

Weonalso � 24/7 service call out all found equipment in unlikely event or callthem 01661 835566 o All Drive spares are carried by Quantum Controls that there were no problems with excessive pump so our client had oftemperatures equipment failure Quoting Ref LQ 11ME LS 11DC � New equipment can be installed every 3 years All Drive spares are carried

by Quantum Controls confirmation of all the benefits off installing newoABB drives on this application Quantum Controls lease Information Pack � Easy, simple contracts Designed to New can be installed every 3 years before theyLease placed the order, taking all the risk�out ofequipment the project.””

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suit your individual requirements � Easy, simple contracts Designed to

Carbon Footprint docs Quantum Controls are the only company in Europe to stock overjust 1000 Variable Quantum Calendar Forsuit more information visit link now your individual requirements 24/7 Keyring Speed Drives available for hire 24/7. leaseandsave@quantum-controls.co.uk ABB Energy Slide Rule

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To your enquiry simply Forsend moreus information just direct visit link now email us at

or contact on details below. options,  We stock power ratings from 5.5kW up to 1500kW with various voltage leaseandsave@quantum-controls.co.uk driveare &available motorfor immediate or contact us details on24/7 01661 835566 415v – 11Kv.For Our drives delivery with full or contact on below. contact services to support our drives when on your site. installationlease and commissioning

01661 835566 Quantum have won three national energy saving awards for our innovative service overTo the fi last 18 month.

Through our hire drives we can prove the saving nd out more visit that will be achieved on any type of motor application providing our clients www.quantum-controls.co.uk with the facts before they invest a penny on new equipment.

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instituteofwater.org.uk

31

What does it cost if your process stops?

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New approach shortens Thames Water’s procurement cycle by 14 months

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Thames Water has reduced its procurement process from 18 months to just four for its £3bn+ contract to upgrade deteriorating infrastructure.

Working with procurement specialists JCP, the company has moved the focus away from a purely commercial approach to a collaborative and supportive environment with partners across the supply chain.

Simply by circumventing the need for a costly bid process, Thames Water has used the new approach to secure the best experts in the industry to carry out the refurbishment programme, which is anticipated to take 12 years to complete.

Tim Coles, Head of Capital Procurement at Thames Water, said: "We have procured an option to offer the longest contract term ever awarded by Thames Water. Rather than taking a purely commercial and technical approach, we have focused on behaviour by putting our people and our partners’ people through interviews, site visits and workshops. This process has reduced the procurement process from up to 18 months to four and has significantly lowered the cost of bidding for the bidders involved."

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The move comes as the water regulator and the government have called for greater efficiencies in procurement for large-scale infrastructure projects, aware that the public now expect projects to cost more and take longer than promised.

• 4” to 24” diameter

Simon Vaughan, Director at JCP said that adopting a collaboration approach to procurement was the way forward for companies working on long-term, high cost projects. “For over 20 years, we’ve been helping companies to dramatically and consistently reduce time and cost on capital projects. We devise flexible models that companies can apply to individual procurement projects so that they can deliver on both time and cost, often ahead of projections.”

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The approach has been acknowledged by the UK Cabinet Office as one which delivers savings to the taxpayer and Tim Coles said that Thames Water is keen to take advantage of this new approach in the long term.

“JCP have helped us deliver a behavioural procurement process that met this challenge as well as being both robust and speedy. Working collaboratively with us they quickly produced a process that was rated as excellent by both ourselves and the bidders. We look forward to working with JCP in an on-going way as they support our alliance in a way of working that has collaboration at its heart."

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Reducing energy costs with the latest pumping technology Against a background of rising energy prices and urgent requirements to reduce CO2 emissions, it is becoming increasingly important to consider pump systems’ energy consumption. In addition, a Europe-wide study has concluded that improved product configuration could facilitate a ten percent saving on energy consumption. Using pumps and motors with high efficiencies could save around another three percent.

No universal solution

Matching output to demand

However, there is no universal solution for exploiting economic potential in any and every application. Basically, four different technical approaches are available that can help lower a pump system’s energy requirements. Pump manufacturers can contribute to a reduction in electricity consumption by providing pump selection software, matching impeller diameter to actual operating conditions, offering variable speed pumps sets and using extremely energyefficient motors. Hydraulic optimisation of a planned system begins with correct pump selection in order to avoid the common mistake of oversizing.

In this context, pump selection software plays a crucial role. It allows the user to gain access to expert know-how: pump systems can be designed and selected according to commercial or technical parameters. Specialised IT tools developed on the basis of practical experience also allow details to be taken into consideration. The consultant can, for example, calculate a piping system using a special module. This takes into account not only energy costs, but also criteria such as price and efficiency.

Pump speed control offers by far the greatest savings potential. What is perfectly normal in other fields of application, i.e. matching power input to actual demand, is still far from standard practice in many branches of industry. In practice, a detailed analysis of a pump’s operating behaviour often reveals that it is not running at its optimum, energy-efficient operating point. A common cause for this is operation at off-design conditions due to either system over sizing or normal temporary variations in flow rate arising from system processes. If power input is not adjusted to demand via some form of system control, valuable energy is wasted. In the case of closed-circuit systems, energy savings of up to 60 percent can be achieved depending on load profile. Altering the speed means that the pump’s power input can be matched to the precise requirements of the system. The industry offers a variety of technical options which allow energy consumption to be influenced via speed control.

There is no need to add tolerances and safety margins when sizing the pump.

Matching the impeller diameter to the operating point

Pump manufacturers offer specific solutions

When compared with a pump whose impeller for commercial or manufacturing reasons has a fixed standard diameter, a pump whose impeller diameter has been matched to its operating point can achieve energy savings of several thousand pounds, as its performance is tailored to the needs of the system.

Standard frequency inverters are devices which can be employed in all kinds of applications and offer a variety of different settings. They are typically used in systems which employ threephase motors as drives. Matching such devices to the characteristics of a pump requires in-depth

know-how regarding the hydraulic behaviour of centrifugal pumps. Energy-saving operation is, for example, dependent on the ability to set the frequency inverter’s V/f curve to a quadratic characteristic. After all, operating a conveyor belt loaded with gravel, which requires a high torque directly after the system has been switched on, is different from running a centrifugal pump which has a very low starting torque.

This is why pump manufacturers offer specific solutions with fully mounted and operational speed control units featuring parameters and configuration menu options that are matched to pump applications. Commissioning then only involves entering a few parameters specifically related to the application, such as the controller’s response speed. Additional hydraulic functions such as “dynamic pipe friction loss compensation” or “sensorless dry running protection” and warnings signalling that the pump is operating under low flow conditions protect pumps and systems.

New technology for old systems The motor-mounted system, which allows frequency inverters to be added to any electric motor, can be retrospectively fitted to existing systems – a solution not possible using ready-made integral motors. And this can be done regardless of manufacturer or efficiency class. In addition, the system’s interface allows it to be integrated into a process control system. Up to six PumpDrive units can operate in parallel via field bus lines in master/ slave arrangement without additional hardware.

We have a number of installations in the field that typically started as a small system of say five or six sites but which have been expanded to many times their original size. It is a technology tailor-made to help the water sector move to Whole Life Asset Management.

34

instituteofwater.org.uk

KSB LIMITED The â&#x20AC;&#x153;masterâ&#x20AC;? pump sets the operating point required to reach a common setpoint for the other pumps. This role is not permanently assigned to any particular pump, so that in the event that the â&#x20AC;&#x153;masterâ&#x20AC;? pump suffers a power cut, a â&#x20AC;&#x153;slaveâ&#x20AC;? pump can take over its function.

EU pushes energy-efficient motors The use of high-efficiency motors (IE2, IE3) has increased in recent years and is being vigorously promoted by the European Union. However the measures prescribed by EC 640/2009 just focus on asynchronous motors and just the nominal point of operation. For the past 30 years, more and more applications have been including frequency inverters, and so many of them are now in service. Where ever an asynchronous motor meets a converter the direct-on-line starting capability of these induction motors is becoming superfluous. So there is no longer a reason not to use synchronous technology.

Synchronous reluctance motors now constitute a readily available alternative. The special thing about these motors, apart from their superior efficiency at rated load point (satisfying IE4-level acc. to IEC/CD60034-30, Ed. 2) is their extremely stable efficiency at part load without containing permanent magnetic materials at all. With synchronous reluctance technology, the achievable savings with allowance for the machinesâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; actual capacity factor are situated well above 10%. In practical terms, however, if all aspects of the energy efficiency concept are considered, savings of up to 75% are achievable.

Pump speed control by far offers the greatest saving potential.

Pump speed control by far offers the greatest saving potential.

Hereâ&#x20AC;&#x2DC;s a big reason we set standards.

Etanorm is a classic that keeps on evolving. The worldâ&#x20AC;&#x2DC;s best-selling standardised water pump is extremely reliable, and runs so well that it meets the ErP Directive requirements on energy efficiency for 2015 already today. Available in numerous variants, Etanorm covers a huge range of applications.

And itâ&#x20AC;&#x2DC;s so technically refined that our customers can totally depend on the first-class reliability of this globally identical product. For more information, please visit www.etanorm.com t ,4# -JNJUFE t $PUUPO 8BZ t -PVHICPSPVHI t -FJDFTUFSTIJSF t -& 5' t t XXX LTC DP VL

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35

Harvard Award Enabling Education and Training

Deadline for entries 27 September 2013

USIT is offering sponsorship to attend the High Potentials Leadership Program at Harvard Business School.

Harvard Business School Executive Education is not for everyone. Those who accept the challenge, however, will find unique rewards with lasting impact for their companies and careers.

Helping companies invest in their most promising and talented executives, the High Potentials Leadership Program readies emerging leaders for managing todayâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s toughest business challenges while illuminating pathways for long-term success.

You will learn how to lead under pressure, champion change, build teams, and develop effective leadership throughout the organisation.

The teaching style at Harvard is first class. The Professors are down to earth, approachable and full of energy. From the very first lecture to the last, the course is fast paced and highly interactive. The depth and variety of the course content is second to none. The week includes detailed discussions around strategy and leadership issues, inspirational lectures on leadership from eminent professors and workshops that help you step out of your comfort zone and expand your capabilities. I left the course buzzing with new ideas.

Whilst the week is hard work it is also immensely fun. You live in a close knit community with the other delegates and there are lots of opportunities to meet and get to know them. The sheer variety of nationalities, backgrounds and experiences makes this an exceptional opportunity to get a fresh perspective on shared business issues and to develop ones network internationally.

I would thoroughly recommend applying for USITâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Harvard award. It was a truly memorable experience that will inspire me for many years to come.

Helier Smith, Jersey Water

Utilities and Service Industries Training Limited. Charity Registration Number 287700.

Harvard Award Sponsorship to attend the High Potentials Leadership Programme at Harvard Business School in June 2014* Meeting the needs of top performers who want to grow as leaders, the High Potentials Leadership Program is designed for highimpact, fast-track individuals with more than 10 years of experience in roles of increasing responsibility.

The Harvard Award is open to any individual who fits the above description and is employed in the UK utilities sector. The Award will cover economy travel, accommodation and course fees; employers may need to finance additional costs.

Gleaning from the insights of faculty experts, the experiences of successful leaders, and the latest research on management and leadership, you will be ready to embrace increasing levels of responsibility — and success — throughout your career. You will be prepared for both the risks and the opportunities that accompany new roles. You will learn how to: •

Lead under pressure.

•

Champion change.

•

Build teams.

•

Develop effective leadership throughout their organisation.

* subject to availability

How To Apply Visit our website www.usit.org.uk and complete the application form.

Send it to us together with a supporting paper explaining in 1,000 words how you expect you, your company and the the utilities industry will benefit if you win the Award.

You can contact us via email angela@sbwwi.co.uk or

01926 314166

Closing date is 27th September 2013 A short-list of applicants will be invited to give a brief presentation to a small panel of judges on Friday 15 November 2013, at the SBWWI offices in Leamington Spa.

Established in 1975, Corrocoat Corrosioneering is one of the world’s leading names in anti –corrosion technology, with over 30 facilities globally and with over 35 years of experience Corrocoat Corrosioneering brings world class coating and Corrosioneering solutions to the water industry with the skills and facilities to repair and corrosion protect the largest of pumps.

Bringing together quality materials and proven anti-corrosion engineering technology, Corrocoat provides an advanced corrosion protection and repair service for industries ranging from water treatment and petrochemicals through to power generation and marine.

As one of the global Corrosioneering leaders, our vast technical expertise with proven performance attainments and with our Polymer technology, management and technical services are solving the industry’s most difficult corrosion related challenges.

Providing excellent long term performance, Corrocoat Corrosioneering’s ability to combine mechanical engineering with advanced polymer technology allows even severely damaged pumps, vessels and pipework to be refurbished at a fraction of the replacement cost, often without expensive replacement parts.

The use of our advanced, WRAS Approved materials can prevent the need for expensive metallurgical solutions on new pumps, and substantial efficiency improvements can be achieved by utilising the Fluiglide range of materials.

All pumps & pump parts are repaired where possible in accordance with ISO standards or better, with upgrades in materials and tightening of tolerances to improve pump life, efficiency and performance. Many of these pumps are protected against corrosion using Corrocoat’s tried and tested coatings – the selection of which is dependent on the service environment.

Forster Street, Leeds, West Yorkshire, LS10 1PW, UK Tel: +44 (0)113 2760 760 Fax: +44 (0)113 2760 700 Email: info@corrocoat.com of the Institute of Corrosion

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Corrocoat

Corrosioneering: a blend of cost effective corrosion protection and engineering Corrocoat has been providing cost effective anti corrosion methods, materials and engineering rehabilitation expertise for over 30 years and enjoys a proven track record in solving corrosionrelated problems throughout industry, operating across five continents from more than thirty locations worldwide.

Plasmet T for sludge rollers

Case Study

Case Study

Plasmet ZF for pipe-bridge

Wear resistance for effluent sludge rollers.

Structurally dangerous pipebridge restored to ‘as new’ condition.

Client

Client

Water and waste industry, UK.

Water and waste industry, UK.

Application date

Application date

September 2004.

1992.

Scope of work

Scope of work

Rebuilding and protecting severely worn sludge rollers to original dimensions.

A full structural survey was carried out, revealing that extensive repair work was required. Corrocoat carried out this repair schedule, and fully corrosion protected the bridge to ensure extended maintenance free life for the future.

Products Plasmet T and glass fibre reinforcing fabric.

Products

Substrate

Corrocoat’s POLYGLASS, PLASMET ZF and PLASMET ZX.

Fabricated steel rollers.

Substrate

Coating system

Mild Steel.

n Pre-machine to get back to good surface.

Coating system

n Grit blasted to ISO 8501-1 cleanliness standard SA 21/2. n Plasmet T applied with 100mm wide glass fabric reinforcement. n Post machine to final drum sizes.

Coating credentials Plasmet T is a high solids epoxy coating loaded with Silicon Carbide to provide added abrasion resistance. Plasmet T, when coupled with glass fibre reinforcing, as in this application, builds strength and thickness to these worn sludge rollers.

The specification of these drums also utilised Plasmet T’s ability to be machined and ground to a very smooth finish.

n Grit blast to IS0 8501-1 cleanliness standard SA 21/2. n All joints encapsulated using Corrocoat’s Polyglass material. n Total structure and externals of the pipe were treated to two coats of Plasmet ZF and a top coat of Plasmet ZX.

Coating credentials In 1999 Corrocoat went back to the pipe-bridge to ascertain the success of the refurbishment work and assess the performance of the coating systems.

The coating was still in excellent condition ensuring the bridge will remain structurally sound for many years.

instituteofwater.org.uk

39

Gentrack

Looking to the land down under – Can Irish Water Execs Tap into Aussie know how?

Ireland’s water executives face a series of challenges as the country moves to metered water, and they have an opportunity to cast their eyes towards Australia’s water utility sector to see what lessons can be learned from over a decade of water reform.

Indeed, the parallels are significant. An unpopular move from rates based bills issued by multiple councils to consolidated meter based billing by larger commercial water retail enterprises.

The need to tackle high levels of water leakage, implement new billing and customer management systems, and roll out new metering infrastructure; all under an intense media spotlight that leaves little room for error or cost blow outs.

Of course there have been a few stumbles along the way. Stories of multi-million dollar project overruns continue to chill the hearts of CIOs across the country. But by and large, most Australian utilities have managed this transition well, forging strong, direct partnerships with technology vendors and business transformation specialists to steadily navigate the journey together.

While the reforms in Ireland will require a holistic approach to successfully transform the market, the value of engaging the right vendor(s) with the systems to support the transformation can’t be overlooked. There are some key themes that have emerged from systems projects delivered in Australia’s most recent reformed water markets.

Firstly, don’t under estimate data migration. Moving data from multiple legacy property based council

systems to one customer centric billing platform will require specialist tools, finely tuned processes and above all, people who have done this before, many, many times. And it’s not just about getting the right name attached to a property. A water utility in Queensland found that once accurately captured, the ability to link customer relationships within the system, for example between residential and holiday homes, small business owners and investment properties, offered greater billing efficiencies and customer service benefits.

Secondly, pre-configured systems with embedded water billing practices can significantly reduce implementation time. In Tasmania, one of the most recent states to move to meter billing, the new water customer service provider managed to go live within eight months of project kick off as they were able to build on processes refined by water reform in other jurisdictions.

Thirdly, consider system flexibility from the outset.

Of course, no one just considers the upfront cost of implementing a new system but ongoing maintenance and system adaptability often impact the budget more than anticipated. Changing water tariff structures, adapting waste water or sewage charges or establishing new payment plans

should not require vendor involvement. The ability to easily set up, bill and manage complex water metering networks found in apartment buildings or shopping centres also needs to be standard issue in modern water billing platforms.

In Australia’s reforming water markets, change appears to be the only constant. The question is, how quickly can back office systems be configured to cope with new front end customer self-service applications, a set of completely new business processes, evolving metering technologies and innovative customer engagement channels?

So as utilities face the somewhat herculean task of rolling out metering and back office technology to meet fairly stringent deadlines, absolute confidence in their technology partners and associated know how to get them there quickly and within budget, will be essential.

But perhaps the lesson from our cousins (albeit distant cousins) down under is that a longer term vision is equally as important. New technology investment to support market reforms must also deliver an ongoing low cost of ownership but be flexible enough to handle future business objectives and the inevitable continuation of regulatory reform.

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41

PUMP HIRE, SALES & SERVICE No1 UKâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s

ire Pump H ist Special

Pumps From 50mm To 300mm Auto Self-Priming Pumps Super Silent From 58db(A) Hydraulic Submersibles Electric Submersibles 24/7 Callout Branches Nationwide Selwood has been manufacturing, hiring and selling pumps for over 60 years. Please call for expert advice on all pumping applications.

08450 733835

www.selwoodpumps.co.uk

SELWOOD

SELWOOD LAUNCH NEW H200 PUMP

Selwood is bringing low emission engines to the high head pump market with the introduction of the H200 pump that was launched recently at the inaugural Plantworx exhibition.

Designed for use in large quarries and opencast mines, the H200 is powered by a Stage 111/Tier 4 Interim compliant Volvo D16 engine delivering 603hp. The engine uses a diesel particulate filter (DPF) and a diesel oxidation catalyst (DOC) in combination with selective catalytic reduction (SCR) to meet the emissions regulations.

Selwood has already introduced a new H150 which is a heavy duty automatic self priming pump specifically designed for high head applications. It can achieve flow rates up to 460m³h, total heads of 124m with solids handling of 38mm. Excellent suction performance as well as class leading fuel consumption from the latest CAT C6.6 diesel engine makes the H150 ideal for both contractors and hirers. Incorporating Selprime, Selwood’s unique environmentally friendly auto self priming system, and mechanical shaft sealing for leak free running, the H150 shares the

same robust construction, reliability and ease of operation as the world renowned Seltorque solids handling range of pumps.

The new H150 is ideal for high head dewatering in quarrying and mining as well as pipeline pressure testing and cleaning, water boosting and temporary fire protection in markets such as construction, oil and gas, marine and water and waste water and offers dramatically improved hydraulic efficiency, flow and head capacities and suction characteristics. Selwood is committed to designing and manufacturing a range of world class high head pumps and the H150 is a key pump within the range.

The high head pump range is Selwood’s first all-new pump line in 25 years and the company promises increased efficiencies that will allow the use of smaller engines and reduced fuel consumption for customers.

A new H100 high head pump was launched two years ago and has been a success in both the UK and export markets. This has helped Selwood being listed in the “The Sunday Times HSBC International Track 200” league table that ranks Britain’s private companies with the fastest-growing international sales. Selwood has a network of distributors that it uses to sell its pumps across Europe, Australasia, South America, Canada, South Africa and the Middle East and in 2012 achieved international sales of £7.7m.

Selwood has also made a significant investment this year by introducing the new High Head range into its own hire fleet. A mix of open and super silent pumps ranging from the H80 to the H150 has been ordered with a total value of £850,000. This is over and above the £3m already invested this year on other ranges of pumps as Selwood continues to enhance its already sizeable hire fleet. The company feels that it is important to continue to increase and update its fleet to meet demand and to provide a reliable and efficient service.

Today, the company addresses the needs of many industries including construction, marine, environmental and pollution control, mining and industrial effluent management. This broad spectrum demands that a wide range of materials may be handled from water, solids in suspension and sewage to bentonite, oil, slurries and sludge.

With a commitment to quality, safety and the environment, Selwood is one of the very few companies within the UK that holds all three internationally recognized quality standards, ISO 9001, BS OHSAS18001 and ISO 14001. Selwood is registered with the Achilles Utilities Vendor database (UVDB) and has been for many years.

The UVDB verify and assessment service, used by the UK utility industry to source suppliers of major products and services, focuses on risk critical issues associated with Safety, Health, Environment and Quality requirements.

H200 Pump

instituteofwater.org.uk

43

WE UNDERSTAND WATER & WASTEWATER TREATMENT

Severn Trent Services understands water. That’s why our proven water and wastewater solutions are based on innovative disinfection and filtration technologies. These solutions help water companies, consultants and contractors achieve energy efficiency improvements, reduction in CapEX and OpEX costs and strict standards.

Our traditional and alternative water purification technologies include: – Dual Parallel Lateral Underdrains – Secondary Biological Treatment – Tertiary Wastewater Filtration – Membrane Filtration – Arsenic and Inorganic Removal – Ultraviolet Disinfection – Gas Feed and Chlorine Dioxide Systems – On-site Sodium Hypochlorite Generators – Analysers, Controllers and Gas Detectors For more information on water purification email marketing@severntrentservices.co.uk or call +44 (0)1827 266 000

atg UV Technology – The Next Generation of Amalgam UV Systems atg UV Technology have launched their new range of 800 Watt, low pressure amalgam UV systems utilising the very latest in amalgam UV lamp technology. The UVLW range will be the first commercially available 800 Watt UV system on the market, and is aimed the municipal industry for disinfection of both drinking water and waste water.

The atg UV Technology UVLW design will offer the electrical and disinfection efficiencies of current low pressure systems, with the advantages of medium pressure, such as the ability to treat large flows, poor quality water and a much smaller installation footprint.

The amalgam lamp technology will be incorporated into closed vessel UV reactors from 6 inches to over 30 inches and will be targeted for use in a wide range of applications including drinking water, waste water, water re-use, advanced oxidation and industrial process water. In addition, the UVLW will be tested to the new NWRI (California Title 22) Validation Standards.

This significant advancement in product development will allow atg UV Technology to offer an energy efficient, high output system that will use the lowest number of lamps within the most compact, small foot print system available on the market in relation to UV output.

For further information on any aspect of Ultraviolet treatment, please contact atg UV Technology on: +44 (0)1942 216161, or visit www.atguv.com

UV DISINFECTION A HIGHLY EFFECTIVE & CHEMICAL FREE SOLUTION FOR WATER TREATMENT FOR DRINKING WATER, WASTE WATER, REUSE & INDUSTRIAL WATER TREATMENT

UV TREATMENT:

Chemical Free, Green Solution High Disinfection Efficiency 1 - 5 Log Reduction Fully Automatic Cannot be Overdosed Capacities from 1.0 - 5,000 m3/hr

APPLICATIONS:

Drinking Water (Bore Hole) Drinking Water (Surface Water) Cryptosporidium Protection Wastewater Water Re-use & Grey Water Storm Water Advanced Oxidation (ADVOX) Advanced Digestion

UV SOLUTIONS:

Medium Pressure UV Systems Low Pressure Amalgam Systems 3rd Party Validated DWI Compliant California Title 22 NWRI Validated WRAS Approved Skid Packages Containerised Packages

www.atguv.com T:+44(0)1942 216161 instituteofwater.org.uk

45

Xylem

Mogden Charges: water treatment could save UK industry thousands The discharge of industrial effluent from commercial applications is a considerable, but often hidden, cost for industry, calculated using the Mogden Formula. However, Jason Robinson of Xylem Water Solutions says a culture of treatment before discharge could save industry hundreds of thousands of pounds every year. biological treatment would expect to receive a Mogden Charge of circa £64,000.

That said, Mogden Charges increase quickly. A company with the same effluent volume and suspended solids, but with a COD of 3,000 can expect a Mogden Charge of circa £160,000.

The benefit of re-use technology

Most large scale industrial applications in the UK, from food and waste processing through to drinks manufacturing and agriculture, pay charges under the Mogden System to discharge effluent before it is treated by their local water authority.

The charge is calculated using a formula which covers the costs of transporting effluent from an industrial site to the local treatment works where it is treated before being released back into the natural water course.

However, the scale of the Mogden Charges often remain under the radar for industry, because the amount of water used during industrial processes is often not measured and frequently underestimated.

For example, a slaughterhouse uses on average nine litres of water for every kilogram of meat processed, whilst fisheries use circa 10 litres per kilogram of fish. Even fruit and vegetables and milk producers are large scale users of water, using six litres each per kilogram of produce.

In fact, total water consumption in the UK food and beverage market is 423 million m3/year, which amounts to around 3% of the total annual industrial usage of water in the UK. The charges are calculated on the basis of three parameters, namely volume of water that needs to be treated; chemical oxygen demand (COD) and Total Suspended Solids (TSS) or, in simple terms colour, odour and dirt measured in milligrams per litre. The Mogden Charges are supervised by OFWAT which publishes standard charges for each water authority annually. However, authorities have the discretion to introduce additional charges for a range of pollutants, such as phosphates, anionics and sulphates, which are introduced into the water as part of the industrial process.

For example, a high volume water user discharging 73,000 m3 of water with a COD of 125 mg/l and 30 mg/l of suspended solids requiring

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One way of reducing Mogden Charges is to treat or re-use water before discharge. Water re-use is the practice of re-using suitably treated wastewater from one process in another industrial process and can significantly reduce the demand on potable sources of freshwater and the volume of water discharged to the sewer.

As a result, re-use is a way of meeting discharge standards, reducing cost and as an aid to helping industrial users of water who have maximised their daily demand for water, particularly if the business is metered.

Crucially, water re-use technology is included in the government’s Water Technology List which promotes the use of technology for water re-use and more importantly, rewards businesses, in the form of the Enhanced Capital Allowance Scheme (ECA), who invest in them via tax relief.

There are various methods available to reduce a site’s Mogden Charges, including membrane filtration systems, aeration systems and the use of a wastewater recovery and re-use system. The ECA scheme for water efficient technologies encourages companies to invest in sustainable water products and systems by allowing businesses to write-off the whole cost of the equipment against tax in the first year of purchase.

Assuming a business pays corporation tax at 28% the capital allowance for general spending on equipment is 20% per year on the reducing balance.

This offers tax relief of £5.60 for every £100 spent.

However, ECAs can provide tax relief worth £28 for every £100 spent and all the allowances are available in the year the spending is incurred, which can provide a significant boost to the bottom line.

A case in point A good example of the sort of savings that can be achieved by industry involved a food processing plant in the Midlands. The company had an effluent volume of 40,000 m3 along with a COD of 4000 mg/l and suspended solids of 1200 mg/l – all of which resulted in a Mogden Charge of more than £162,000.

Our analysis demonstrated that there was an opportunity to make a significant saving on annual effluent discharge bills and potable water consumption. With the effluent volume remaining the same at 40,000 litres, the COD of the effluent could be reduced with treatment to 125 mg/l and the suspended solids reduced to 30 mg/l. All of this could be done at an overall cost of £42,500 meaning the food processing plant could benefit from a huge saving of £119,500.

These figures do not take into account other onsite effluent re-use options such as toilet flushing, boiler feed and vehicles washing which would reduce this figure further.

The payback on the investment varies depending on the customer’s choice of technology and on whether re-use is included following effluent treatment. However, typical payback is 2-5 years.

It is clear that a regime of treatment and re-use could save British industry thousands of pounds every year in Mogden Charges and that the incentive schemes exist to make the necessary capital investment a highly attractive proposition.

Xylem Water Solutions has the capabilities and expertise to offer industrial water users transport and effective treatment solutions.

By utilising re-use technology, the volume of discharged wastewater can be significantly reduced, which not only helps reduce costs, such as Mogden Charges, but also enables discharge standards to be met. For more information, contact Xylem on 0115 940 0111 or visit www.xylemwatersolutions.com/uk

ERG

ERG secures £2 million Iraq odour control deal ERG Air Pollution Control of Horsham in West Sussex, a leading manufacturer of odour control systems, has just secured a £2 million order to supply over 80 odour control units to Iraq, where they will form part of the modernisation programme for the country’s wastewater treatment industry.

The contract is for four different sizes ranging from small units, which can treat up to 400 m3/ hr, through to extra large systems where the capacity is over 3,600 m3/hr. Destined for the Basra region of Southern Iraq each system will be incorporated into the new infrastructure projects being undertaken.

come with performance guarantees and draw on ERG’s extensive experience in supplying systems to meet the specific demands that hot climates require. The concept of combining a bio-scrubber with a carbon filter extends the maintenance interval and simplifies the day-to-day operations so leading to lower running costs.

Working in conjunction with Veolia Water Systems in the Middle East, ERG designed a range of special compact two-stage systems. The initial odour removal process is carried out by a bioscrubber that contains lava rock. The air then moves onto a polishing carbon filter stage prior to release to atmosphere. Each size is custom designed for a standardised wastewater treatment plant to which it is matched. All the systems

The systems will be shipped in four batches, each of which will contain a mix of the sizes. The first batch will be delivered in September and the last consignment in December. Each unit will be made at ERG’s manufacturing base near Horsham. They will be pre-assembled and filled with the filter media thereby enabling faster installation on site.

most notably Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Oman and Saudi Arabia. The Company, which for the past five years has had a branch office in Amman, Jordan, has seen sales in this region more than double over the past twelve months.

These orders come on the back of ERG’s strong performance to other parts of the Arabian Gulf,

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Making The Difference In Global Corrosion Prevention!

The annual cost of corrosion worldwide is a staggering $1.8 trillion which is over 3% of the world’s GDP (Gross Domestic Products) and costs the UK individually around 4% of GNP (Gross National Products) per annum.

In order to fight these costs and imperative to the fight against corrosion, is the inauguration and promotion of corrosion management practices and effective Planned Preventative Maintenance (PPM) schedules to ensure cost-efficient control measures with a sustained effort to raise corrosion awareness at all stage of design, manufacture and operation.

Left in any environment where moisture, dust and particles are able to attack and corrosion will inevitably take hold.

Oxifree is a thermoplastic polymeric resin that is designed to completely encapsulate flanges, valves and unions to prevent any electrolytic

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ingress to prevent and protect against corrosion. The polymer is heated and spray-applied to a substrate to form a comprehensive barrier. It cools on contact to form a perfectly fitting protective ‘cocoon’ to prevent any electrolytic instigated corrosion or particle ingress affected damage, by complete encapsulation of the substrate flange, valve, bearing, gearbox or union. the second component in Oxifree’s purposely designed polymer structure is an inhibiting oil, which slowly secretes to form a protective coating and displacing layer onto the surface of the substrate – preventing any further degradation and provide maintenance free protection for >20 years

Removal of Oxifree is extremely simple. It is easily cut away with a knife or sharp object, then pulled away from the surface, leaving no residue, marks or mess and can then be melted down for re-use. Oxifree does not adhere to the surface. Oxifree is recyclable, reusable and is environmentally friendly due to its VOC free formulation and bio-degradable properties.

Oxifree is also the only corrosion by encapsulation coating system that can be UT tested through, be determine the integrity of the substrate without removal.

Telephone: +44 (0) 330 330 0004 Email: sales@oxifree.co.uk www.oxifree.co.uk

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Drink, cook, bathe, irrigate, clean - and drink it again.

Siemens solutions ensure that the water quality is always suitable for intended use.

Water and wastewater industry

Water is essential for life â&#x20AC;&#x201C; for domestic, industrial, commercial and other purposes. Less than one percent of the freshwater is readily accessible and demand for clean water continues to grow.

Across the entire water cycle, from drinking water to industrial wastewater, we have the answers for your

current and future business needs. Our extensive portfolio includes energy management, water and waste water treatment, automation, control and instrumentation asset management, smart metering, leak detection and infrastructure development. Siemens also offers full service, support, and financial services.

www.siemens.co.uk/water

Wolseley UK

Wolseley UK creates Above Ground and Civils and Utilities Specialist Businesses Wolseley UK is pleased to announce the creation of two new business areas – one specialising in Above Ground Drainage and the other in Below Ground Drainage for the Civils and Utilities markets.

The changes, which are aimed at providing better alignment to different customer groups, will see the Burdens brand focus on Civils and Utilities and the Drain Center brand focus on the core specialism of Above Ground Drainage.

UK greatly values both the Drain Center and Burdens brands. The purchase of the Burdens branches was about providing opportunities for us to grow our presence in Civils and Utilities and gain an even larger share of these markets.

As a result, 21 Drain Center branches (including five MCA branches), whose business primarily reflects these markets, will be rebranded as Burdens, joining forces with the existing 16branch Burdens estate. This more than doubles Burdens’ national presence to 37 branches.

“We believe that focussing on one group of customers with one proposition under one single brand will give both Burdens and Drain Center a real competitive advantage. It is the vital next step to achieving our

objective of being a market leader in Above Ground Drainage and Civils and Utilities markets.”

For more information, visit: www.draincenter.co.uk www.burdens.co.uk

The Drain Center brand will specialise in Above Ground Drainage for the RMI, residential and commercial marketplace, and 55 Drain Center branches, whose operations primarily reflects this area, will make up this business. To maximise its growth potential through access to a larger branch estate, Drain Center will be managed as part of Wolseley UK’s wider Plumb/Parts/William Wilson & BCG business group.

Wolseley UK is also creating 11 new Drain and Burdens implants at existing Burdens and Drain Center branches over the coming months to ensure continuity of service for customers who have an Above Ground and Civils and Utilities Drainage requirement.

Commenting on the changes, which came into effect on 1st August 2013, Steve Ashmore, Managing Director of Wolseley UK said: “Wolseley

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SPP PUMPS

The importance of life-cycle costs SPP Pumps is a leading manufacturer of centrifugal pumps and systems. For more than 130 years, its robust and trusted engineering has provided critical performance across diverse applications, with water being a key industry sector. Here, Martin Bagg, Business Unit Manager for Water at SPP Pumps, takes a look at the importance of life-cycle costs in water pumping applications.

The issue Often operating 24 hours a day 365 days a year, water pumping operations are highly energy intensive. With pump capital purchase often representing only 5% of the total ownership, the industry is increasingly looking toward life-cycle cost analysis (LCC) to evaluate effectiveness and efficiency.

Various LCC models are available to pump users where capital, energy, maintenance and efficiency degradation costs are assessed to determine a pump’s life-cycle cost – enabling the user to make informed decisions on the true whole life cost.

Reducing energy consumption through the selection of the most efficient pump not only reduces cost, but also CO2 emissions – bringing environmental benefits and reducing emission levies imposed on some high energy users.

SPP solution SPP’s recognition of this increasing emphasis on whole life costs when evaluating modern day pumping schemes has led to the development of a ‘Lowest Life-Cycle Cost Series’ of pumping solutions. The concept behind this series is quite simple – to provide customers around the globe with solutions that offer them the lowest possible total cost of ownership.

Incorporating both split case and vertical suspended bowl pumps, we have assembled

a world class series of pumping solutions, combining many of our existing and well proven hydraulic designs. These have been finely tuned with the aid of three dimensional computational fluid dynamics and new innovative designs.

Mechanical designs have also been substantially upgraded; utilising high grade materials for standard build options, previously only associated with fully API610 compliant products.

with South West Water saving £70,000 per year in energy costs alone.

But what does this mean for the industry?

We focus on developing our expertise by understanding the industry challenges facing end-users and developing appropriate technology that supports them where it really matters. The Lowest Life-cycle Cost (LLC) range of pumps is a prime example of this commitment. They offer high efficiency and reduced downtime, thereby significantly reducing cost of ownership. This is a product that really gives us a competitive edge – its popularity has already enabled us to substantially increase our market share and become the supplier of choice for many utility customers.

SPP’s site test identified that the station was originally designed for two pumps to run in parallel thus generating sufficient differential head for the pumps to operate at their correct duty point. SPP Energy proposed a new Pump Management Philosophy whereby when one pump ran solo the maximum speed was restricted to 43Hz. At this speed one pump running on its own did not cavitate.

SPP in action SPP’s Lowest Life-cycle Cost solutions have already made a difference to South West Water, at its Hayle Final Effluent Pumping Station.

With new SPP LLC Vertical Split Case pumps having been installed, replacing existing (but old) SPP pumps, the results were impressively positive

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South West Water continued to work with SPP Energy as there was a need to overcome some cavitation issues. A full pump systems assessment was completed using Thermodynamic and Ultrasonic Test equipment to find the cause of the cavitation, which occurred when one pump ran solo.

Through this pump management South West Water further benefited from increased reliability and reduced CO2 emissions.

Shayne Fielding, Efficiency Manager at South West Water commented: “Product reliability, energy reduction, reducing CO2 emission and financial savings are all vitally important to us in helping to reduce our carbon footprint. This is why we work with SPP. Their team consistently goes out of their way to help us achieve our goals and its products and solutions add value to our business where it really matters.”

For more information on SPP’s Lowe Life-Cycle range of pumps, go to www.spppumps.com

GLOBAL SUPPLIERS OF QUALITY PRODUCTS & SERVICES Mobile/contract dewatering

TEFSA Filter press technology and spares

Flottweg Centrifuge technology

Euroby Ltd

Belt filter technology

New Dawn House, Gorse Lane, High Salvington, Worthing, Sussex BN13 3BX T - 01903 69 44 00 F - 01903 69 44 77 E - sales@euroby.com www.euroby.com

MITSUBISHI

Mega project uses Mitsubishi Electric controls to improve Sussex coast water quality One of the most ambitious wastewater treatment projects in Europe, designed to process several towns’ wastewater and improve water quality along the Sussex coast, has been speeded along because of the ease of integration of Mitsubishi Electric control equipment.

Southern Water’s largest ever capital project, this £300 million environmental improvement scheme includes a new wastewater treatment works (WWTW) and sludge recycling centre, two pumping stations, 11km of sewer tunnel and a 2.5km long sea outfall. The newly completed works can treat the 95 million litres of wastewater generated each day by the residents of Peacehaven, Telscombe Cliffs, Ovingdean, Rottingdean, Saltdean and Brighton and Hove.

The treatment works at Peacehaven came on stream in late 2012 and via the new sewer tunnel, links with both the old Victorian network and the long sea outfall. Located adjacent to the newly-designated South Downs National Park, architects sculpted the building and specified an 18,000 square metre grass roof, one of the largest in Europe, so that it blends

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almost invisibly into the landscape.

Peacehaven is home to the central control room, from which a duty/standby SCADA (supervisory control and data acquisition) systems and four thin client workstations are run. The SCADA / PLC (programmable logic controllers) System runs all aspects of the WWTW including wastewater and sludge processing, odour control and HVAC (heating ventilation and air conditioning). The SCADA system also includes an additional five operator stations mounted on motor control centres dotted around the Peacehaven site, all of which can be used to control the entire system including equipment up to 7km away. The remote sites in the other towns are each fitted with at least one E1000 HMI but these are configured to allow only local control rather that providing access to the whole system.

The system extracts air to maintain the negative pressure and passes it through a series of acid and hypocaustic scrubbers, then several carbon filters to make sure that no foul smells escape. The rate of extraction has been calculated and set so that the internal negative pressure is always kept constant.

The lowest point of the system is a flushing chamber underneath Brighton Pier. From this point the wastewater flows by gravity through Brighton Marina GDS to Marine Drive Pumping Station below Marine Drive, Brighton’s iconic water front plaza.

From here, PLC controlled fixed speed pumps are used to lift the wastewater through a 40m shaft and then travel by gravity to a second pumping station located at Portobello where it is raised 30m to then flow to Peacehaven, the highest point in the system, so all subsequent areas are gravity fed.

The first two set of pumps are fitted with softstarts, while the one uses variable speed drives.

The core equipment in the works’ control system are Mitsubishi Electric Q-series PLCs and E1000 HMIs. They are programmed using the IEC programming standard via the Mitsubishi engineering environment, the PLCs and HMIs interface with Harting connectivity equipment and field devices from at least 10 other manufacturers. The key reason Mitsubishi PLCs were used is due to their ease of setup and use, plus their ability to seamlessly integrate with products from other manufacturers.

The Mitsubishi Q-series is far more than an ordinary PLC. It is a single automation platform that brings together modular control features from many different engineering disciplines, including, logic, motion, IT and process control. It is designed to be easy to install and commission and to boost productivity. Southern Water has used the power of the Q-series to combine sequential control with process specific instructions to create a high performance yet simple control system with the utmost reliability.

contributor to the success of the build. In fact the Mitsubishi project team were only required to visit site a couple of times to help with very minor issues.

The control system is based on PLCs with a SCADA supervisory level and Enpure Ltd / PJA Control Systems Ltd were responsible for system design, documentation, Profibus network design, PLC / SCADA programming standards, remote off site communication, telemetry and testing and commissioning.

The Mitsubishi PLCs are all located in the ICA (Instrumentation, Control, Automation) section of the MCC (Motor Control Centres). From here the PLCs control and monitor all field level equipment such as pumps and flow meters. Operations can be managed from the control room which uses the SCADA to graphically represent the plant and remotely control it.

For further information Call: 01707 288780 Email: automation@meuk.mee.com Visit: www.automation.mitsubishielectric.co.uk

The project was awarded to 4Delivery who subcontracted elements to Enpure Ltd, Veolia Water & Andritz, the control system was designed, installed and commissioned by Enpure Control Systems Engineers & latterly to completion by PJA Control Systems Ltd, whose Paul Abbott (formerly Enpure’s Principal Systems Engineer) sees the out-of-thebox usability of the Mitsubishi equipment a major

Mitsubishi Electric Water Industry Conference – Thursday 24th October 2013 We are pleased to announce we will be running our third annual Mitsubishi Electric Water Industry Conference and Exhibition at our UK headquarters in Hatfield on Thursday 24th October 2013.

After two very successful and well attended conferences, we look to build on this success and deliver an informative and educational event that will allow delegates to network and hear from some of the key companies and organisations in the UK water industry.

The conference will cover several topical issues including: n The drivers and challenges for PR14/ AMP 6 n Innovation in the water industry – process n Innovation in the water industry – technical n Wireless data transfer and monitoring To register your interest in attending the conference and receive further information, please send your contact details to automation@meuk.mee.com

HUBER TECHNOLOGY Enhancing the Anaerobic Digestion Process

Preliminary Treatment: removal of contaminants (plastic, grit and glass).

Washpress for enhanced organics recovery.

Digestate screening for removal of plastics to assist achieving PAS 110 compliance.

Digestate dewatering / volume reduction.

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Welcome to the Institute of Water

“Nor’n Ir’land” style

from George Butler – Area President Thank you for the opportunity to showcase the work of the Northern Ireland Committee. My role as President of the NI Area is similar to a swan: Serene, Splendid, Strategic on the surface, and a lot of paddling going on underneath!

As you will see from the articles we are an eclectic bunch and enjoy the full range of social and technical activities. Rumours that we have the best parties associated with our conference are completely true, and I wonder if any other Area has their own song-book? If you get the chance please take the opportunity to visit us for one of our events – you will get a warm welcome.

The Silent Valley Reservoir, located in the Mourne Mountains near Kilkeel, County Down

Our major annual events are our conference and Autumn seminar although there are technical meetings throughout the year. We try to address a “Big Issue” at the conference so recent years have tackled sewer flooding, the 2010/11 Freeze/Thaw event and the Governance/Charging of water Service in NI. We invite politicians, policy makers, technical staff, NGOs and Stakeholders to address the conference.

A Notable moment was when a mother presented on the practical problems when your house is flooded with sewage and you have toddlers and a baby. This brought home the reality of Out of Sewer Flooding – you could hear a pin drop!

As a committee we are a “broad church” with members from NI Water, contractors, the Utility Regulator and policy makers. This leads to interesting debates and if the Committee was an animal, it would be a Camel (“a camel is a horse designed by a Committee”) – long suffering, thirsty, multi-functional rather than pretty, and built for endurance rather than speed!

This has taken some leadership from our Chairman Dermott Devaney and long serving (suffering?) Secretary George Irvine (Alan Bolton award winner this year). Dermott replaced the redoubtable Kay Moule as chairman 3 years ago, and has done the job so well we are inflicting him as the proposed chairman for the National body next year – beware!

The articles in this edition give you a bit of information about NI Water and reflect the varied interests of Committee members. We have given

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a “Rough Guide” introduction to NI Water for those of you living on the “small island” to the east of Ireland. If your main knowledge of water in the Province comes from water cannons being deployed during the “marching season”, I can assure you that the reality is altogether different!

NI Water is a similar size and demographic situation to South West Water (Pennon) and the main differences are our governance structure (convoluted) and domestic charging (None!).

We think we do some things as well or better, than the mainland and there is an article about the integrated way we work with our health professionals to deliver high quality potable water. We are also proud of our rural wastewater treatment programme, illustrated by the article on our new works on the Rathlin Island. We also include an article by Kelda Water Services which has a large PPP contract to provide bulk water supplies to NI Water.

We are fortunate to have a beautiful province and lots of rain so NI Water has the stewardship of some lovely catchments. The Silent Valley is the jewel in the crown and attracts large numbers of visitors to the dams and reservoirs, especially when Celine Rodgers organises “Jazz on the Lawn” or an ‘Open Day’.

There is also a close liaison between the IW Committee and Water Aid and we include an article of Celine’s recent visit to India for Water Aid. This was quite an experience for a 5 star hotel girl!

I would like to thank all the Committee for their much appreciated contributions and I hope this whets (wets?) your appetite for a visit to NI. Best wishes George Butler President IW Northern Ireland

FEATURE:NORTHERN IRELAND

Working in Partnership with Northern Ireland Water In May 2006 Dalriada Water signed a 25 year Public Private Partnership (PPP) contract (‘Project Alpha’) with Northern Ireland Water (NIW) to upgrade, operate and maintain five water treatment works – including the largest water treatment works in Northern Ireland and to provide two further strategic link mains for NIW operations.

Kelda Water Services Alpha (the operating company for Dalriada Water under the Alpha Contract) produces and dispatches nearly half of Northern Ireland’s potable water demand into Northern Ireland Water’s distribution mains network. This service is delivered in partnership with NIW and KWSA is fully integrated into their client’s business to assist delivery of the contracted services.

Kelda Water Services Alpha is proud of its involvement in delivering: n the first ever PPP in the United Kingdom for the bulk supply of potable water – capable of producing up to 396 megalitres per day. n upgraded Water Treatment Works coming into service nine months ahead of the regulatory deadlines. n effective planning and management of a significant £110M capital investment programme at no additional cost to the client.

Kelda Water Service Alpha and Dalriada Water form part of the Kelda Water Services (KWS) group of businesses. KWS is a leading water and waste water contract operator, delivering large scale and long term solutions in Ireland and across the UK. KWS’s success stems from being part of Kelda Group – owner of Yorkshire Water, one of the UK’s leading water and waste water companies and Loop, an award winning billing and customer contact centre. Kelda Group has for many years set the industry benchmark in: n Innovation and technology n Operational efficiency n Asset and capital programme management n Customer service excellence KWS has in excess of 200 staff delivering contracts that add real value to the public Utilities and government organisation, through strong and effective partnerships with:

n leading edge efficiencies through the deployment of high levels of automation and telemetry – enabling a mobile team of skilled process engineers on the ground to be supported at all times by our operation control centre in Bradford.

n Northern Ireland Water – award winning sites produce nearly half of Northern Ireland’s drinking water;

n a number of successful community events in partnership with Northern Ireland Water, engaging The Ulster Wildlife Trust, the Woodland Trust and several other charitable organisations.

n Scottish Water – KWS provides innovative waste water solutions across the North East of Scotland. KWS, working in partnership with Scottish Water, has also recently signed contracts for the Edinburgh and Midlothian

Councils’ food waste treatment project. The food waste will be treated using anaerobic digestion, and with Service Commencement planned for January 2016, KWS will soon supply Scottish Water with enough green electricity to power the equivalent of 3,300 homes.

Common to our success has been the ability to create both efficiencies and significantly enhanced operational performance and compliance. Our operations are underpinned by highly efficient customised IT which enables our assets and people to deliver exceptional performance. Our extensive TUPE [Transfer of undertakings (Protection of Employment)], experience was first demonstrated when we transferred hundreds of people from local councils and Welsh Water into an integrated waste water management company for Wales and we repeated this success with each of our other clients.

n The Ministry of Defence – KWS supports more than 1,000 MOD sites across England and Wales with water and waste water services;

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Maximum screenings removal Discharge directly from tankers without buffering Automatic operation Eliminates blockages by effective rag removal

CDEnviro Ltd

T: +44 28 8676 7900

E: info@cdenviro.com

W: cdenviro.com

CDENVIRO

S:Max – the chosen sludge screen for the E5 alliance CDEnviro has launched its programme to supply Severn Trent Water with eight sludge screens as part of the E5 alliance joint venture.

In accordance with the AMP5 framework agreement, Severn Trent Water awarded the contract to upgrade eight major waste water treatment works to four contractors, MWH Treatment Ltd, Costain Ltd, Mott McDonald Bentley and NMC Nomenca Ltd, which have formed the E5 joint venture, working with Severn Trent Water.

The E5 alliance awarded CDEnviro the contract to design, supply and commission eight S:Max sludge screens across three Severn Trent Water sites; Wanlip, Rushmoor and Worksop. The S:Max was chosen after a rigorous selection process..

Prior to the E5 alliance project the S:Max had been installed at a number of other Severn Trent Water and UK water utility sites where it has proven its ability as a robust, reliable screening operation which eliminates blockages.

The S:Max effectively removes screenings and rag from raw sludge, can accept discharge directly from tankers and offers a unique back wash system designed to ensure screens do not block with material. An automated backwash system on the S:Max minimises the requirement for operator intervention to clear blockages from the screening system. The need for operator intervention is further reduced thanks to the

removal of the reception tank as it is here that the build-up of screenings often causes blockages.

The S:Max range includes the SRU:25, SRU:15 and MSU:10 models. ‘The SRU:25 was initially designed for use at major sludge processing sites and has been very successful where it has been implemented” explains Matt Bunting, General Manager for CDEnviro ‘The introduction of the SRU:10 model ensures that the range includes the flexibility to cope with a range of capacity requirements both within the major water companies and industrial applications’.

The SRU:10 offers a sludge screening capacity of 33l/s and is equipped with the same design features that are available on the larger model.

The addition of the SRU:10 to the range allows for reduced capacities in particular indigenous sludge applications whilst maintaining the capability for tankers to discharge directly to the S:Max, eliminating the need for a reception tank.

CDEnviro have recently installed an S:Max SRU:10 model at another leading UK water utility STW which has enabled them to achieve a significant increase in their sludge handling capacity on site. The SRU:10 can accept waste from two streams; the imported waste from tankers collected from the surrounding areas and indigenous sludges generated by the sewage treatment works. Once screened the sludge will go through anaerobic digesters to capture methane for energy production.

A portable sludge screen, the MSU:10 has been designed to facilitate efficient liquid and solid separation from a variety of applications. It can be applied to several suitable applications including; screenings removal from sludge, grit removal from sludge, pre screener for removal of larger debris/screenings prior to further processing, temporary import sludge screen.

Additional options can also be added across the S:Max range where required, including odour enclosures which are often necessary for the safe operation of an S:Max within a building. Also available is automated frost protection and an integrated conveyor for stockpiling screening.

For more information on the S:Max range and products visit www.cdenviro.com. Follow us on twitter @CDEnviro

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WaterAid supporters trip to India My time in India was full of highs and lows, messages of hope and stories of desperation, this journey for me was massive, both humbling and enriching! By Celine Rodgers, Northern Ireland Area.

After arriving in New Delhi on 17 February, my initial thoughts were sheer shock- the filth, smells, noise, crowds, traffic, waste and men showing full frontal exposure as they urinated in the street, which was to become a very common sight throughout the trip, it was horrific! India was a real eye opener, even for me a seasoned traveller!

This is a very short account of just one of the villages that I visited during the week-long trip.

The journey to the village of Nayagaon was on rocky dirt tracks, surrounded by arid landscapes.

On arriving at the village the members of Sahariya tribe were out in force, cheering and beating drums to welcome us, adorning us with floral garlands and tilaks painted on our foreheads, a traditional Hindu welcome.

Nayagaon is a poor tribal village, no immediate access to water and open defecation is the normal.

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I was introduced to Ramu who lives in a small one room house with her husband and two sons Buhd aged 20 and Vaynatu aged 12. I sat outside chatting with Ramu, who works in the local forest harvesting wood to sell at market; she spends a whole day gathering a bundle of wood to sell the following day. For her hard effort Ramu would receive between 90 - 150 rupees (£1.05 - £1.80) for 2 days work, from this amount she pays 30 rupees for the return bus fare to market.

that trickled gently. Once full, Ramu stacked the containers two high on her head, they held 10lts each - the equivalent to 30 bags of sugar

I asked Ramu where she gets her water, she said from a spring 2km away. She fetches water 5/6 times a day; spending up to 4 hours collecting it.

During the dry season the spring dries up, the closest water supply is a 10km round trip.

This visit was hugely enlightening, promising and rewarding. I felt blessed that Ramu allowed me to come into her home and spend time with her. This was an emotional rollercoaster of a trip, a very special trip that left me feeling that things will get better, I feel optimistic, I feel happy and I feel honoured.

I joined Ramu in her daily trek to the spring, over rocky dry desert land. On reaching the spring, it became apparent that the water was clear but not clean, rubbish floating everywhere. Ramu crawled into a tight hole, crouching down to collect water

After spending time with Ramu I went to visit the site close by identified by a WaterAid survey as a reliable source of water, a water pump was soon be fitted, the spot was marked by a stack of boulders, boulders that hold so much promise for the Sahariya tribe.

You can read more about Celine’s trip to India on niwater.com

FEATURE:NORTHERN IRELAND

Doing it together How Northern Ireland coordinates the roles of Drinking Water Professionals and produces a Guide for public and environmental health professionals and the water industry in Northern Ireland.

The safety of drinking water is a paramount public health concern. It is a tribute to the skills and expertise of colleagues working for drinking water providers, regulators, health authorities and local authorities that the safety of drinking water in Northern Ireland is something that the public is able to take for granted. If this situation is to be maintained then there needs to continue to be close liaison between those agencies with an interest in and responsibility for drinking water safety.

The Drinking Water Liaison Group is a multiagency group which considers public health issues associated with the drinking water supply.

The Group, which is unique in the UK context, draws its membership from the main stakeholder organisations including the: n Department of Health, Social Services and Public Safety,

n Public Health Agency, n Drinking Water Inspectorate, n Northern Ireland Public Health Laboratory, n Chief Environmental Health Officers’ Group, n Northern Ireland Water.

Part of the terms of reference of the Group is to enhance working relationships, co-ordination of approaches and understanding between Group members and the organisations they represent.

This ensures that drinking water issues and public health matters are addressed on a regular basis and there is the opportunity for water professionals to meet outside an emergency situation. Northern Ireland is fortunate in the sense that scale allows the key decision makers from the regulators, policy makers, health professionals and the water company to meet.

The Drinking Water Liaison Group prepares a Guide for Drinking Water & Health which is hosted on the NI Water website www.niwater. com/drinking-water-guidance. This document is aimed at professionals from a variety of backgrounds who share an interest and involvement in the safety of drinking water. The purpose of this joint guidance is to: n set out the roles and responsibilities of the key players, n describe the wider context to the provision of safe drinking water, n detail the arrangements and protocols in place to monitor compliance with standards, n respond to an emergency or incident situation.

NI Water - Delivering Wastewater Services to the Rural Community Regional Development Minister Danny Kennedy travelled to Rathlin Island on 3rd July 2013 to mark the completion of the Island’s new state-of-the-art wastewater treatment works (WwTW).

Representing an investment of approximately £500,000, the new Rathlin Island WwTW and associated pumping station were constructed as part of Northern Ireland Water’s ‘Rural Wastewater Investment Programme’ (RWwIP), a multi-million pound portfolio of work being carried out to upgrade wastewater facilities and deliver improved water quality right across Northern Ireland.

Welcoming the new infrastructure for Rathlin, which will support the recently completed social housing development on the Island, Danny Kennedy said: "I congratulate the NI Water project team in achieving a low-impact design and recognise the excellent work of DRD Regional Planning Unit and the Northern Ireland Environment Agency for their support throughout the planning process.”

The new Rathlin WwTW brings to 101 the number of projects which have been delivered to date under NI Water’s Rural Wastewater Investment Programme (RWwIP). Commenting on the benefits delivered by the scheme and the challenges it has posed, Trevor Haslett, NI Water Chief Executive said: “This dedicated rural programme has seen the construction of over 100 new treatment works spanning the length and breadth of Northern Ireland since it began in 2008. Each project represents a significant investment by NI Water to implement the latest technology available to raise the standard of wastewater treatment so that rural communities can benefit from improved air and water quality.”

Regional Development Minister Danny Kennedy and Trevor Haslett, Chief Executive, NI Water

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There are so many benefits to being a Member of the Institute of Water it would be difficult to fit them all on one page; there really is something for anyone who works in the water sector. Many of these benefits come through our programmes or ‘offerings’ and we’re delighted to announce that we now have dedicated Champions for each programme. Each Champion has expertise and knowledge in their field and will help drive and enhance each programme to help Members get the most from their Membership.

Annual Conference

Journal

Heidi Mottram

Dan Barton

Engineering Registration

Environment Registration

Michael Fowle

Tim Boldero

Chief Executive, Northumbrian Water and President Elect

Vice President Engineering, Institute of Water

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Marketing and Communications Manager, Institute of Water

Vice President Environment, Institute of Water

Mentoring

Rising Stars

George Butler

Director of Asset Management, Northern Ireland Water

Nick Ellins

President, Northern Ireland Area

Immediate Past President, Institute of Water

Drilling and Tapping

Innovation Awards

Richard Barton

Maureen Taylor

Retail Services Manager, Sembcorp Bournemouth Water and National Chair

Science Registration Robin Price

Coming Soon

Regional Quality Manager, Anglian Water and Vice President Science

Communications and Stakeholder Relationship Manager, Dwr Cymru Welsh Water

Online CPD

Coming Soon

Ian Limb

HR Manager, Portsmouth Water

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KOBUS KOBUS Pipe Puller – The Cheapest Option for Water Service Pipe Replacement Available The revolutionary KOBUS Pipe Puller has been around now for a couple of years and is being used successfully by utility companies like Severn Trent and contracting groups like Optimise, so it’s not exactly brand new. In well over 200 full scale trials the technology has demonstrated its’ ability time and again to remove old water supply pipes, long and short, and replace them with new MDPE pipe in a single action.

What has never been in doubt is the KOBUS Pipe Puller’s ability to replace lead, copper and PVC water supply pipes in less than 25% of the time and at significantly reduced costs to traditional open cut trenching. However, it’s usually been seen as a ready alternative to moleing, in circumstances where the presence of other utilities make moleing impractical, even dangerous. Until now that is!

Recent independent studies have shown, not least of which is the Water Research Council’s own study (CP428) that the KOBUS Pipe Puller represents the cheapest option for water pipe replacement available today. Let me explain. Take a typical 9m pipe replacement running under a road. Using

open cut, this would take two men two days to remove and replace, a labour cost of £1,200 with a grab lorry. With costs of pipe and fittings, roadstone, spoil removal and reinstatement, add a further £1,300 or so. Machinery; digger, traffic lights will be£700, a total in excess of £3,200.

Expensive! And with lane rental charges coming along about to get even more expensive.

Compare that with moleing. One pipe replacement might be half a day, so labour costs are much smaller at over £300. Smaller trenches mean savings on roadstone, spoil and reinstatement, so the cost of a replacement pipe via moleing might be just under £700. Now take the Pipe Puller. Labour costs would be equivalent to moleing, but its’ key hole surgery approach reduces the cost of roadstone and reinstatement dramatically. Even adding the cost of the kits and amortising the tool over three years at a very low rate of two pipe replacement per day (a trained team can easily achieve four pulls), the cost of a single pipe replacement is around £620, 10% cheaper than moleing.

So there you have it, a revolutionary technology that is easier, cheaper, greener and much safer

without disruption to traffic or pedestrians that is also the cheapest pipe replacement option on the market!

IChemE Forms of Contract New editions now available on the IChemE shop www.icheme.org/shop Order now for an exclusive 10% discount. Use discount code IOW (*offer expires on 31/10/13) 0823_13

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ADVANCING CHEMICAL ENGINEERING WORLDWIDE

FEATURE:CLEAN WATER NETWORK

ASSET INTERNATIONAL

New storm water drainage systems improves river and bathing water quality in Irvine and Kilmarnock Leading water management solutions company, Asset International ltd (Asset), in partnership with KWH Pipe UK Ltd, has supplied a Weholite storm water attenuation tank to help improve river and bathing water quality in Irvine and Kilmarnock, Scotland.

The £49 million Scottish Water project at Meadowhead was commissioned to reduce overflow from combined sewers in Kilmarnock and Irvine spilling into the local river system in the event of heavy storms. The completed project will bring significant environmental improvement to local rivers and to the coastal waters of Irvine Bay in the Firth of Clyde The specialist water management solutions team from Asset and KWH Pipe provided a 10,000m³ attenuation tank and 300 metres of associated pipework in 2.1 metre nominal diameter.

“The long established partnership between KWH Pipe (UK) Ltd, the Scottish Water framework supplier for large diameter Polyethylene pipework systems and Asset International, the UK licensee

for the manufacture of Weholite products, has led to the successful installation of what is the largest ever Weholite storage tank supplied and installed anywhere in the world”, said George Merry, managing director of KWH Pipe UK Ltd. The tank is capable of holding 10 million litres of water, and features sixteen legs of 2.6 diameter pipes, comprising approximately 2km of pipework in total.

A tank of this scale is large enough to contain storm water flow in the event of a large amount of rain fall, allowing Scottish Water to meet stringent European Union directives. The smooth invert provided by the Weholite system was crucial to the project.

The project is being delivered by MBV, a Morrison Black & Veatch joint venture. MBV designed the system so that the retained storm water is directed into a new pipe and channelled to the Meadowhead Treatment Works. From there it is managed in an environmentally friendly way to ensure that the bathing water quality standards in the Irvine Bay are met by Scottish Water.

Commenting on the choice of Weholite plastic tanks and pipes, Dominic Moynihan, project manager for MBV explained: “A number of things directed us to Weholite. Firstly, the fact that it gave us a smooth invert without the need for

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further treatment. Secondly, Weholite offered an installation service, which meant that the same engineers who had manufactured the pipes were the ones installing them on site. Their knowledge and expertise ensured the product gave us the performance designed to meet our specifications.

It also meant that the whole installation process has been pretty much trouble free.”

Speaking about the complete process, George Merry of KWH Pipe said: “The KWH Pipe and Asset partnership worked closely with MBV, from conceptual design through to installation, test and inspection. We provided a unique service, which saw the completed tank tested in accordance to CESWI guidelines, giving MBV the confidence of a 100% watertight tank.”

Simon Thomas, managing director at Asset, added: “The Meadowhead project continues to showcase our effective urban water management solutions, which have been deployed in a number of UK and European towns and cities in recent years.

“As flooding in our urban environments continues to become more and more of a focus we will continue to develop our systems in order to meet any and all eventualities.”

For more information about Weholite call Asset International Ltd 01633 273081 or visit www.weholite.co.uk

AQUALOGY

A North East water company is giving discoloured water a frosty reception Northumbrian Water has recently begun the second phase of their multi-million pound project ‘The Main Event’ to clean 218 kilometres of water main in parts of Newcastle, Tyneside and Gateshead with the aim of improving tap water quality for one million people.

Using the innovative ‘Ice Pigging’ technique, slush ice is used as a low-risk method of removing sediment, biofilm and other objects from water pipes – that over time can cause discoloured water.

Northumbrian Water has adopted Ice Pigging as one of their preferred cleaning methods after the company performed an extensive comparison against other methods.

Graeme Neave, Operations Director at Northumbrian Water explained: “It usually takes us up to three weeks to clean a two-kilometre section of pipe using ‘pressure jetting’, it takes just a few hours to clean the same amount of pipe using ice. As well as being more cost effective, the process also uses less water than other types of cleaning so it is more environmentally friendly.”

“The trials that we carried out involved inserting 25,000 litres of ice into the network at a time, and cleaning sections up to two kilometres long in each operation.

“We are very pleased with the results of the trial and this will hopefully revolutionise the way we clean our trunk water mains in the future.”

Matthew Stephenson, from Aqualogy, the Bristol-based company that developed ice pigging, explained how the process evolved: “We developed this patented technique for the water industry in collaboration with the University of Bristol. The amounts of ice involved are huge, so producing and delivering the right volume in the right consistency has been the main challenge, but the results and benefits are really compelling.”

Our expertise is as precious as water itself...

Aqualogy is the global technology and solutions division of Agbar, one of the world’s largest water and waste water companies, with specialist products, services and expertise available across the entire water cycle.

SLUDGE MANAGEMENT Including Thermal hydrolysis, low temperature sludge drying, and heat treatment using KEWM½GEXMSR SV T]VSP]WMW ICE PIGGING Innovative and patented method of cleaning pipes. Learn more at www.Icepigging.co.uk LEAKAGE SERVICES Detection of physical losses with trace gases (helium) and products to assist in the detection of apparent losses.

NETWORK MANAGEMENT Including water mains chlorination, pressure valve installation & maintenance and network data collection services.

Telephone: Email:

+44 1454 800 468 info@aqualogyuk.com

www.aqualogyuk.com aqualogy-180x115-AW.indd 1

29/07/2013 15:40

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clean water

waste water

steel

concrete

civil engineering

STONBURY 30 YEARS AS MARKET LEADERS IN THE REFURBISHMENT OF WATER RETAINING STRUCTURES & ASSOCIATED ASSETS RESERVOIR & WATER TOWER REFURBISHMENT - STEEL & CONCRETE TANK REFURBISHMENT/REPLACEMENT SEWAGE TREATMENT WORKS REFURBISHMENT - PIPE BRIDGE & AQUEDUCT REFURBISHMENT SPECIALIST COATINGS - WATERPROOFING - CORROSION PROTECTION - INSPECTION - CLEAN & CHLORINATION CIVIL ENGINEERING - SECURITY WORKS INC LPC4 ACCESS COVERS - ACCESS LADDERS, HANDRAILS & WALKWAYS

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Stonbury

Stonbury awarded 3 year framework contract Specialist contractors to the Water Industry ‘Stonbury’ have been awarded a 3 year framework contract (with an option for a 2 year extension) with United Utilities for Water Retaining Structure Remedial Works.

The proposed works will involve the repairs to existing water retaining structures, including but not limited to Service Reservoirs, Water Towers and Water Tanks. Although predominantly the work will be carried out on clean water sites, waste water sites will also be included where necessary.

This award covers the Merseyside and Cheshire (south & west) areas for United Utilities and provides an excellent platform for Stonbury to expand their specialist services within the North West of England.

Stonbury’s 5 & 10 year Refurbishment and Cleaning Framework Contracts now cover a

substantial area across the UK. These include Northumbrian Water (including Essex & Suffolk Water), Yorkshire Water, Welsh Water, United Utilities, Anglian Water, South Staffs Water Company, Affinity Water and Portsmouth Water Company, along with carrying out works with all the other UK Water Companies and their Civil Engineering Framework Partners.

Aqueduct during critical shutdowns. We have also undertaken Service Reservoir refurbishment projects through their Civils Framework Partners and assisted United Utilities with condition surveys to Service Reservoirs during cleaning shutdowns. We are delighted to now enter in to a formal partnership with United Utilities and we look forward to working closely with them’

Stonbury Managing Director James Stonor added ‘We have worked closely with United Utilities for a number of years, including carrying out refurbishment works along the Thirlmere

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INVESTMENT MEANS LEAP FORWARD IN WATER MAINS CLEANING International award winning pipeline technology company, Hydrascan, has taken delivery of the world’s first water recycling vehicle designed specifically to clean water mains.

The company, which in 2013 has been awarded further contracts to work on over 50km of trunk mains in North East England, developed the specialist vehicle in partnership with leading German manufacturer, Wiedemann and Reichardt, as the next step in its drive to deliver world class water mains cleaning solutions.

The Wiedemann and Reichardt Super 2000 plant is a water recycling system which uses a Scania chassis 16 litre V8 engine. The plant has been designed to incorporate a specialist electronic control system that remotely switches the Typhoon cleaning system between propulsion and cleaning modes.

The machine will extend the range of cleaning using the Typhoon system to 1.2km from a single point of entry.

Hydrascan’s NEW water recycler supplied by Wiedemann and Reichardt

The vehicle has a tank capacity of 6000l and jetting capability of up to 800l / minute. Powered by twin Uraca pumps operating at up to 175bar the new Super 2000 allows operators to vary pressure for longer runs and different cleaning requirements. The machine also has suction capability of 4000 cbm/h which allows the machine to collect and re-cycle the cleaning water. This water passes through several internal filters before being re-used for jetting.

“This investment underlines

our commitment to being at the forefront of water mains cleaning and pipeline rehabilitation work...”

Hydrascan Managing Director, Julian Guy, said: “This investment underlines our commitment to being at the forefront of water mains cleaning and pipeline rehabilitation work enabling us to go further between excavations and improve our ability to switch between propulsion and cleaning modes.

We can now maintain even greater control of our pigs within the pipe, negotiating difficult bend sections, inclines, areas of heavier deposit build up, while at the same time ensuring we maintain the integrity of all pipe linings.

Our drive to improve what we offer the industry has not stopped there and we are already working on the next generation of trenchless technology solutions to meet the challenges of water mains cleaning solutions and of pipeline rehabilitation work.”

Typhoon was designed in response to a challenge set by Northumbrian Water for an efficient means of cleaning the larger trunk mains as part of its four-year £30 million mains cleaning programme. The scheme was introduced to improve drinking water quality to 500,000 people in South East Northumberland, North Tyneside and the north of Newcastle.

WHAT IS TYPHOON? Offering a long range solution – up to 1.2km (600m in each direction) - from a single point of access, Typhoon is a family of cleaning pigs ranging from 6 to 40 inch (150 -1000mm) in diameter that can be used with water recycling machines around the world.

Ideal for both urban and rural environments, water pressure is used to propel the cleaning mechanism along the pipe until cleaning mode is activated and the pig is drawn back cleaning internal pipe walls.

Radial fan jets ensure a total 360 degree clean of internal pipe walls, while water pressure and jetting angles can be adjusted to ensure pipe linings are unaffected by the cleaning.

Waste water is flushed back out and recycled to ensure Typhoon leaves no environmental footprint.

The cleaning operation is carried out from one vehicle minimising the carbon footprint.

In 2007, the water company tested a number of systems during field trials and awarded Hydrascan - a subsidiary of Kilbride Industrial Services - a contract with Lumsden & Carroll Civil Engineers to clean approximately 50 miles of water mains in Northumberland.

The tethered ‘pig’ system uses water jetting for its propulsion and cleaning functions and was developed from technology used in the oil and gas industry.

THE TYPHOON RANGE 1

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Requiring only a single entry point the system cleans up to 1.2km of pipe at one time and saves water authorities and their contractors millions of pounds in the cost of excavating and re-routing traffic for extended maintenance projects in both rural and urban environments.

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6

3

7

4

8

1

Typhoon 6 (6 - 8 inch pipe)

2

Typhoon 10 (8 - 15 inch pipe)

3

Typhoon 18 (18 - 24 inch pipe)

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Typhoon 15 (15 - 18 inch pipe)

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Typhoon 24 (24 - 30 inch pipe)

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Typhoon 30 (30 - 36 inch pipe)

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Typhoon 36 (36 - 48 inch pipe)

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Typhoon 50 (48 - 60 inch pipe)

For more information on Typhoon please email info@hydrascan.co.uk or call 0191 4879667

TYPHOON TIMELINE

2007 – Kilbride Industrial Services responds to a challenge set by Northumbrian Water for an efficient means of cleaning the larger trunk mains.

2008 – Awarded pilot cleaning project by Northumbrian Water and achieves ground breaking results.

2009 – Wins 2009 UK Society for Trenchless Technology (UKSTT) Award for innovation.

2010 – Finalist in The Engineer’s Innovation Awards.

+ Versatile cleaning technology + 360 degree clean + Pre-renovation cleaning + Up to 1.2km range + Multibend capabilities An award winning product by Hydrascan

Enquire about joining a demonstration day now at www.hydrascan.co.uk or call 0191 487 9667

2011 – First 100km of water mains cleaning in the UK. Typhoon awarded ‘Best New Machine’ by the International Society for Trenchless Technology (ISTT).

2012 – First overseas work in Limerick, Ireland, cleaning hard deposits off raw water mains.

2013 – Awarded further 2 contracts with to work on over 50km of trunk mains in North East England.

Awarded further contract to clean water mains with Seymour (Civil Engineering Contractors) Ltd.

Overseas trials carried out in Austria.

CLEANING | DISINFECTION | INSPECTION | CONSULTING | ASSESSMENT

EPSolveâ&#x201E;˘ Chemical Cleaning & Disinfection of Clean Water Infrastructure For over 20 years EPSCO has been involved in providing first class, innovative and specialist chemical treatment solutions for the water industry across the UK. Undertakers use our proprietary system, which is independently tested and DWI approved, to chemically remove deposits in existing in-service mains. The system is also used extensively to commission treat distribution infrastructure from 15,000m3 trunk mains right down to small bore residential tie-ins.

Our simultaneous cleaning and disinfection process is ideal for the cleaning & disinfection of high capacity service reservoirs â&#x20AC;&#x201C; providing best in class cleanliness with minimal operation disruption.

All our chemicals and processes are non-Chlorine based and designed to reduce environmental pressures associated with chlorination.

EPSCO Limited

Arran Road, Perth, PH1 3DZ E: info@epsco.co.uk T: 01738 446363

www.epsco.co.uk

EPSCO LTD

Chemical Cleaning Solutions for existing water mains Key Technical Factors EPSolveâ&#x201E;˘ is a chemical cleaning system that can be applied to existing water mains to remove organic deposition, biofilm accumulations, and also corrosion build-ups in older iron pipelines.

The system has been developed by EPSCO over a number of years, along with many other products, to provide pipeline remediation treatments for the water industry. The cleaning process offers many advantages, is documented internally by Scottish Water, and is relied upon by many contractors to complete pre-commissioning disinfections of new infrastructure.

The cleaning effect is created by low concentrations of a specially formulated two component chemical mixture, which is flooded into the pipe contacting all surfaces of the isolated main. This can done either by completely filling the main, or partial filling using a hydraulically generated chemical plug (or pig), that can be moved along the length of the main at a pre-determined rate.

The chemical treatment can be completed at different strengths and contact times to suit the level of fouling to be removed, or tailored due to other factors such as materials of construction, or site logistical constraints. Processes for neutralisation are very simple and following flushing cleaning results are immediately verifiable.

The chemical cleaning effect has the bonus of a built-in simultaneous certifiable disinfection element, removing the need for further chlorination. The chemical products are approved for use in the mains water supply under the

DEFRA/DWI Regulation 31 List and registered under the new EU Biocidal Products Regulation.

The disinfection effects have been independently verified against known waterborne bacteria and pathogens, offering significant better performance than traditional disinfectants against Cryptosporidium, Pseudomonas and Legionella in both clean and heavily fouled environments.

Dedicated professionals can manage water mains cleaning projects from specification to execution, ensuring practical and effective outcomes, whilst mitigating any risks.

Case Study: Cleaning& Disinfection of 23 Km of 450mm HDPE Water Main Our client had a requirement to clean and disinfect a large section of trunk water main (including a two directional branch) to remove heavy Iron and Manganese deposition that was contributing to bacterial growth and parameters out with quality standards. One of our Project Managers proceeded to liaise with the undertaker about technical specifications including expected flow rates, reviewed as laid drawings, and visited site to verify hydrants, air valves, scours and surrounding work locations.

A treatment plan was produced by EPSCO for approval that separated the main into 5 sections of 4.4km, 5.6km, 8km, 4.6km and a short 0.4km run. Each section was divided so as to find the most efficient way of treatment in terms of flow rates, chemical treatment levels and on-site logistics. The treatment chemical was to be applied using varying sizes of hydraulic plugs, built using chemical injected into a fully charged main, and propelled using flow rates at 10-40m3/ hr. The project was planned to require two EPSCO mobile units - a 3.5Tvan with on-board power, compressed air and high-flow dosing equipment â&#x20AC;&#x201C; supplemented with an off-road vehicle to access hydrants across rural land/un-made tracks. The project was planned over 12 days include mobilisation and only required a team 3 x EPSCO personnel, working shifts to monitor the treatment continuously over longer periods.

The project was delivered as per the above specifications, with paperwork and certification issued immediately following the treatment.

The efficacy of cleaning was reported to be very successful by our client, with the noted reduction in reference parameters such as turbidity, iron, manganese, along with reduction in bacteria counts.

Dedicated professionals can manage water mains cleaning projects from specification to execution, ensuring practical and effective outcomes, whilst mitigating any risks.

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Fastflow

When it comes to trunk mains cleaning, there are plenty of fish in the sea. But are they all swimming in the right direction?

R

At Fastflow, our innovative European patented system ensures that we are, because it:

Pipeline Services Limited

• Cleans up to 1,000m each pass – requiring fewer excavations and pipe

A new direction in water networks

• Needs only a single pass, using just a fraction of the water consumed by

interventions

conventional spray cleaning methods

• Is non abrasive – maintaining the integrity of internal linings • Achieves cleaning standards well within DWI values • Combines with our highly efficient, large diameter spray chlorination process, which can deliver further, dramatic time and water savings

In addition

• The system is tried and tested over 80 kilometres of 300mm – 1,245mm diameter mains

• Our end to end service includes design, planning, civils, cleaning and restoration

All of which saves time and cost, while reducing risk and environmental impact.

For further proof that this is no fishy tale, visit

OHS 595298

EMS 538557

FS 25951

www.fastflow.co.uk or call us on +44 (0) 191 415 7744

FASTFLOW

Faster, safer, more sustainable Constantly looking for innovative ways to improve water infrastructure maintenance techniques, Fastflow Pipeline Services has devised an award winning Trunk Mains Cleaning system.

The process reduces down time, disruption, risk and environmental impact whilst ensuring water purity well within allowable limits.

This UK and European patented system, which picked up a UKSTT Innovation Award, is capable of operating over distances of up to 1,000 metres.

It requires fewer excavations and pipe interventions – saving time and cost, while improving safety and reducing environmental impact. The end to end service includes design, planning, civils, cleaning and restoration.

The main advantage over more traditional jet cleaning methods are the specialist tools. A remote controlled camera sends high quality images from deep within the line, enabling our specially trained technicians to carry out a thorough assessment of the condition of the main and develop a detailed cleaning and repair plan.

The unique, 12 nozzle spray has an adjustable, revolving head and spring loaded arms, which enable it to negotiate 90° bends and travel through the pipe at around 1.2 metres per minute, cleaning in a single pass.

The process is non abrasive - maintaining the integrity of internal linings – and is tried and tested over 80 kilometres of 300mm – 1,245mm diameter mains.

Impressively it uses just 72 litres of water per metre of main cleaned compared to the 3,500 litres consumed by traditional pigging methods.

Once cleaning is complete, the world’s largest spray chlorination unit is deployed to ensure no contamination remains in the line. This process saves even more water as the main requires only a single, rather than double fill, to complete the process.

Dowel removal prior to cleaning.

Typical results where iron, aluminium and manganese are the main contaminants show 5.2 milligrams of iron per litre, in comparison to the Drinking Water Inspectorate standard of 200 milligrams. Aluminium levels of 2.6 milligrams per litre also compare extremely favourably with the DWI limit of 22 and manganese is recorded at around 0.28 milligrams per litre – against a DWI standard of 50.

Passing the test Following a successful trial, the Fastflow TMC system was deployed to clean 15 kilometres of bitumen lined internal and external steel water main for Northumbrian Water (NWL).

Adverse weather severely limited the time available, leaving teams without down time to resolve any equipment failure or unexpected problems.

The accelerated plan involved installation of two 900mm line valves and twin washout arrangements, to reduce the length of main out of commission and allow phased chlorination, charging and commissioning.

Variations in diameter of 50mm were encountered on dowel sections and pipe ends so the Project Engineering Manager developed a device to re-shape the pipe, allowing standard 935mm couplings to be used on almost all of the 28 access dowel sections. This delivered a significant cost saving and operational efficiency, as bulk orders of coupling could be made before dowels were cut.

Blistering of the internal bitumen lining was identified via closed circuit television. This was repaired using Water Research Council (WRC) approved resin; a process which involved men entering the pipe after a safe method of work and written documentation was agreed with Health and Safety Advisors.

Due to our approach and cleaning process, we were able to hand the entire 14.964km of main back in a sterile condition to allow charging within 12 hours.

The spray head is prepared to enter the main.

Stuart Tilley, Network Projects Manager with NWL commented: “We found the Fastflow system to be very effective in terms of achieving long cleaning lengths, single pass operations and very good post cleaning water quality results.”

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Effective solutions to reduce leakage t 24/7 Emergency Repair Clamp Service t Underground Hydrants t Hydrant Security t Air Valves t Pressure Reducing Valves t Extensive Gate Valve Range

AVK UK - Reducing leakage.

Effective product solutions to address the issue of water loss.

Specialist products and technical expertise.

UK manufacture, large stock holding.

24/7 emergency service - Tel: 0800 202 8228 Call us now for more information on our extensive range +44 (0) 1604 601188

AVK UK 8 Rushmills Northampton, NN4 7YB, UK Tel : +44 (0) 1604 601188 www.avkuk.co.uk enquiries@avkuk.co.uk

AVK

Leakage – curing it or preventing it?

Valves and fittings manufacturer AVK UK can supply the solutions needed for both approaches, as Graham Charnley, the company’s market sector manager for clean water, explains.

Although it goes without saying that prevention is always better than cure, the legacy of an ageing asset structure in the UK’s clean water distribution infrastructure means that repairing leaks will continue to be critical to maintaining continuity of supply for the foreseeable future.

Repairs are often urgent and unplanned, and can be of a nature that can be accommodated by products drawn from stock through to major emergencies where the water supply to thousands of customers fails completely and every minute counts. AVK Syddal’s 24/7 emergency service is designed to cater for all points along the spectrum, manufacturing and delivering clamps, tees and fabricated fittings to site inside three days - or within hours when the situation warrants.

Much less dramatic but with considerable potential for reducing leakage on a “day in, day out” basis is the installation of pressure reducing valves such as the Glenfield Series 859, which balance up and down stream pressures automatically and reduce water loss by exploiting the simple principle that less pressure equals less leakage.

These are now being used across the UK on existing mains and on new-lay systems alike.

Another insidious and until now largely overlooked cause of leakage and damage to mains Series 01/79

are the pressure transients (surges) both up and down stream that can, amongst other types of damage, cause or exacerbate cracks in pipes and breach seals at joints with inevitable water loss. AVK offers a complete range of air valves and design support services to discharge the pockets of air that give rise to this problem in different circumstances, such as when the main is full and under pressure, or during filling or draining of the system.

Even under normal Series 859 circumstances, every joint is a potential leak path, and they proliferate when replacement valves connect pipes of different materials and outside diameters, calling for a bewildering array of double flange valves, flange adaptors, couplings, and other fittings. AVK’s new range of resilient-seated gate valves eliminates this complexity by minimising the number of connections. The Series 01/79 for PE pipelines, for example, has full end load resistant adaptors integral to the valve body; the Series 36/89 has PE tails allowing direct connection to PE pipe; and the Series 38/89 incorporates a PE tail on one side with a NP16 flange on the other for bolted connection to other standard fittings.

Although not leakage strictly speaking, water theft is of

equal concern to the industry and undoubtedly results in considerable lost revenue, especially when carried out through the medium of an underground water hydrant, which typically has a flow rate of around 2,200 litres per minute. AVK’s solution is its new and unique Series 29/009 security device, which prevents unauthorised access to the hydrant outlet and operating spindle. Thirty of the units were recently trialled by a leading UK water company alongside traditional outlet security devices, and after three weeks all were still intact while most of the conventional type were damaged or missing.

Not surprisingly, the water company has gone on to order a considerable number for deployment in key parts of its hydrant network.

Finally, whilst on the subject of hydrants it is also worth noting their role as access points for equipment used to locate leaks and investigate the internal condition of mains. AVK’s new Clearway hydrant is particularly suitable for this purpose because its full, straight bore allows camera equipment to travel up to 500 metres along the main – five times further than is possible with the conventional squat hydrant design.

Yet another example of how AVK UK can be relied upon to assist water utilities in maintaining the integrity of their buried assets.

For more information on AVK products, design support and leakage advice please contact our sales office on +44 (0) 1604 601188 or visit our website www.avkuk.co.uk

AVK’s new range of resilient-seated gate valves eliminates this complexity by minimising the number of connections.

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TORQUE ASSESSMENT AND VALVE RELEASE THE MAJORITY OF UTILITY LINE VALVES ARE LEFT UNMAINTAINED UNTIL THEY ARE NEEDED FOR NETWORK OPERATIONS OR IN THE WORST CASE, A MAJOR EMERGENCY. OFTEN AT THIS POINT THE VALVE IS FOUND TO BE DIFFICULT TO OPERATE, FULLY SEIZED OR EVEN BROKEN. UNDERSTANDING THE CONDITION OF NETWORK ASSETS ALLOWS FOR: l

EFFICIENT MAINTENANCE PROGRAMMES

l

RISK MITIGATION

l

IMPROVED CUSTOMER SERVICE

Hydrosave’s line valve diagnostics process incorporates the use of trailer mounted and hand held hydraulic actuator technology and torque measurement software. Our valve release technology HydroV is designed and manufactured in-house.

VALVE ASSESSMENT

Applied to operate valves through a partial or complete cycle to assess the full characteristics of a valve operation, diagnose performance and provide a maintenance operation.

Typical outputs from a survey will include: l Easier valves to operate l The correct direction of travel l The minimum and peak torques required to cycle the valve – to assess future lone working, two person operation or mechanical operation l GPS location l Size and number of turns to operate

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PROJECT EXAMPLES:

l Strategic and sole supply pipelines l Strategic road, rail and river pipeline crossings l Reservoir maintenance and cleaning programmes l Pumping Station maintenance l Pipelines that operate at high pressure l Pipelines in poor condition or planned for rehabilitation l Risk mitigation in areas prone to flooding l Pre assessment of mains rehabilitation schemes

VALVE RELEASE

Seized valves are sometimes released by subjecting the internal components of a fitting to high levels of impact and torque. However, these options do not provide full control of the input nor do they monitor the output and how this is affecting the asset. l HydroV ascertains the ‘free movement’ of an asset and has the ability to apply a controlled release process l Utilised to release all diameters of seized valves l Services may be scoped with payments on performance l Available for planned work, contingency plans and as emergency call out

CASE STUDIES

x35 Critical Valves: assessed on a strategic trunk main. Each valve was operated through a full cycle to ascertain its size, full torque graph and number of valve turns. GPS location and survey reports were provided. 17 valves were noted in good condition, 11 valves were noted as tight requiring specialist and/ or hydraulic actuation and 7 valves were seized. All operable valves were noted to require reduced amounts of torque following one cycle of operation.

18â&#x20AC;? Seized Valve: this valve was identified as seized 12 months prior to our site visit and previously had numerous attempts to release it including the use of large keys with bars and heating of the packing gland

region. HydroV was installed on to the valve taper and after just 1 hourof fitting HydroV the valve was released.

turns required to open/close fully.

64â&#x20AC;?Gate Valve: a difficult valve to operate normally requiresthe client to use six technicians to operate it fully over a six hour period. The Hydrosave survey proved that the valve had only previously been opened 592 turns out of the full 790

equipment. Measurements show

The valve was operated using our

trailer mounted hydraulic actuation high levels of torque are required to

operate this valve, a general 300lbsft with multiple peaks exceeding 750lbsft.

Call us today on 01536 515110 www.hydrosave.co.uk enquiries@hydrosave.co.uk instituteofwater.org.uk

79

Our Products Quality and Variety GA Valves is a leading supplier of high quality valves and components which are internationally recognised as industry standards. We offer a comprehensive range of gate valves and check valves for water and waste water valve applications.

We also manufacture and distribute Hivent air release, vacuum valves, sewage air valves and a wide selection of spare parts following the purchase of intellectual property rights from Blakeborough â&#x20AC;&#x201C; another highly respected name.

With the comprehensive range of Dorot Control Valves, we are able to build on our companyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s success by meeting water engineering problems with engineered solutions using high quality valves often customised and tailored to meet individual requirements and specifications.

In addition, and building upon the lengthy experience of staff, we are able to put this knowledge to effect by sourcing valves outside the range of our own manufacture for the water industry, power generation and general industrial markets.

Manufacturers and distributors of: GA Valves are manufacturers and distributors of valves to the water & sewage industries. Including: l

Gate Valves

l

Check Valves

l

Air Valves

l

Automatic Valves

l

Agent/Distributors for

l

Dorot Valves

l

Valve Marker Posts/Plates

UK distributors and Technical Support of Dorot Flowcontrol valves.

www.gavalves.co.uk

PO Box 5 Brighouse West Yorkshire HD6 3UD T: 01484 711983 F: 01484 719848 E: sales@gavalves.co.uk Company established since 1989

Hose & Hose Assemblies

UÊÊA Ê ir/Water UÊÊO Ê il/Chemical UÊÊ Ê i iÀ> Ê*ÕÀ« Ãi UÊÊS Ê team

UÊÊÊ `ÊEÊ iÛiÀ>}i UÊÊÊ ÕÃÌ Ê Õ ÌÊ >À}iÊ Ài UÊÊÊ iÌ> VÊEÊ*/ UÊÊÊ À ÕÀi`Ê

Hose Assemblies certified to PED 37/23/EC Module D1

by Lloyds Register Quality Assurance. (Notified Body 0038).

+ 44 (0)1772 323529 www.dixoneurope.co.uk

MONITORING A N A LY S I S

Instrumentation for water distribution management

Network System Monitoring

DETECTION LOCATION

Local Data Acquisition Flow Monitoring Meter Reading Remote Data Acquisition

Leakage Control

Leak Detection Leak Location Trunk Main Leak Location Leak Listening and Confirmation

technology for network management and leakage control

Benefil HPV-Institute of Water Journal Oct 2012-paths.indd 1 82 instituteofwater.org.uk

23/10/2012 11:32

Benefil HPV-Institute of Water Journal Oct 2012-paths.indd 1

23/10/2012 11:32

sales@primayer.com www.primayer.com

in your world,

water loss is also

money loss.

When looking for a partner to help you Reduce Water you need someone who understands water infrastructure,

Loss,

has developed innovative solutions to assess the Condition

of the

Infrastructure, and has Practical Experience in helping water

companies stem the tide of water loss.

You need Echologics.

To learn more about Echologics nonintrusive, acoustic Leak Detection, Condition Assessment and Revenue Enhancement Services, contact europe@echologics.com or 01438920040 www.echologics.com

The OXEMS fully integrated underground asset management solution with rFINDGoTo™ technology Welcome to the future, where underground assets are tagged, recorded, easily located and have their full history instantly accessible in the field or the planning office, and in your company’s asset register.

The OXEMS Solution is a designed-for-purpose, integrated combination of: Tags affixed directly to underground assets; robust, lightweight, state-of-the-science Detectors for use in the field; and a comprehensive Database that automatically updates with any intervention.

Rapidly rolled out with new lay assets and R&M interventions, OXEMS tags are inert and robust.

Automatically recorded and located by the OXEMS Detector, every tag tells its own story (including any number of photographs, uploaded to the Database at the touch of a button) about the asset to which it is attached.

The OXEMS integrated solution—keenly costed to enable network-wide application—transforms the way utilities manage their assets, reducing costs and disruption, and improving productivity in the process.

The Underground Cat’s Eye: Asset Management through network visibility

Oxems

Asset Tagging: improving the way utilities operate Every utility and contractor knows the problem: the time and money and, too often, human wellbeing that is expended when searching for a buried asset. At best, a trail of mis-digs is testament to the problem. At worst, a road works team member is hospitalized or even killed by an accidental strike, and the forlorn excuse is: “We didn’t know it was there.”

There is no longer any excuse for not knowing an asset’s position: no excuse for taking the same old risks and making the same old mistakes.

Tags are now available that, when attached to underground assets, will, on demand, provide precise details of the positions and features of those assets, including three-dimensional spatial positioning, asset type and size, and more.

Because road works can work better As the realization has grown about the true costs of road works disruptions, efforts to make road works more precise have assumed national strategic importance.

Intelligence is being brought to bear in a variety of ways: the mapping of expected asset locations1, automated excavation guidance systems2, Core ‘n’ Vac techniques, road plates and quick cure concrete.

But, because keyhole techniques can only deliver their full promise if the precise position of an asset is known in the first place, the real grail is knowledge of the absolute positions (in three dimensions) of particular points on particular assets.

What then is the answer? Enter Tags.

Exhibit 1

Exhibit 1: An OXEMS Tag in situ: Tags are colour-coded (e.g. blue for water) and QR coded. Specific, unique information is easily associated with specific Tags.

Wise information” – the key to future success When specific information about the assets to which they are attached is associated with specific Tags, and held on a bi-directional database, then, in one synergistic leap, a utility gains an asset management tool, a means to better manage job performance and quality assurance, cost reductions, and a powerful Health & Safety improvement tool.

Asset tagging promises a compelling and provable range of benefits. The OXEMS System is particularly advantageous: because the Tags contain no silicon or batteries, they are affordable for network-wide use. And because all of the intelligence is above the ground, the entire system is future-proofed.

Immediate value Asset Tagging using the OXEMS System delivers immediate value – in some circumstances, virtually instantaneous payback – and increasing value over the longer term: For example, OXEMS Tags on new lay can obviate the requirement for additional as-laid drawings3 and Tags in all situations build an asset register and an auditable workflow support tool.

Exhibit 2: Used in conjunction with the Detector, the OXEMS PDA provides a seamless two-way link with the Database. It guides one- or two-person teams to pinpoint Tags and provides access to all relevant data (subject to their security clearance). The PDA has an onboard camera and new data is easily uploaded to the Database.

A thought experiment Imagine for a moment that the underground pipes and cables of all utilities are tagged …

When planning R&M activity a utility’s precise information about its own buried assets, and the whereabouts of other utilities’ assets, enables pinpoint interventions, minimizing disruption, financial and ecological costs, and lane charges and penalties, and cutting the incidence of accidents to plant and people.

Photographs and other information are readily accessible to utilities and contractors, so work can proceed in a surprise-free, efficient manner.

Asset Tagging delivers rapid payback and the returns for utilities grow substantially over time4.

And, of course, if it saves one life, that’s priceless.

For more information, go to www.oxems.com or email info@oxems.com

Exhibit 2

Oxford Electromagnetic Solutions Limited

©

1. As, for example, by Symology and Linesearch BeforeUdig 2. As, for example, J.K. Guest’s Utility Shield

3. The comprehensive Value Model developed by OXEMS proves that, by virtue of this feature, the ROI for certain applications is immediate 4. OXEMS Value Model using utility-supplied input data

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GPS PE Pipe Systems

PE Pipe Provides a Flexible Solution for Wessex Water Supply Grid Programme Comprising more than 50 individual schemes which will be delivered across Somerset, Wiltshire and Dorset during an eight-year rolling programme, Wessex Water’s Water Supply Grid programme is the water company’s largest ever project.

Pipe manufacturer GPS PE Pipe Systems is one of the suppliers involved in delivering the project and has already supplied almost 27km of PE pipe to help Wessex Water upgrade their supply infrastructure without construction of any new water treatment works.

SIMPLY THE

BEST

Amongst the projects is a £3.5 million scheme to increase Allington Reservoir’s capacity by 5 million litres, which also includes the construction of a new 1.8km Excel PE100 washout pipeline, installed in an open cut operation.

Meanwhile the Black Lane scheme involves of a SYSTEM 2,300m PE pipeline by Trant BARRIERinstallation PIPE AND FITTINGS

Construction link Snowsdon Reservoir toland, theProtecta-Line Specially developed for drinkingto water transportation through contaminated has been the UK’s leading barrier system for over years. And thereand are defi nite reasons water treatment works at 15Black Lane from the why: Proventreatment defence against all recognised contaminants works tobrownfi the eld supply main in Blandford.

Second-to-none approval status and Kitemark to WIS out 4-32-19 the entire system This project is being carried toforaddress a

of the route for a cost effective solution.

Several of the other projects that have been completed as part of the Water Supply Grid initiative were designed to provide a contingency supply for areas that depend on a standalone source. These include a 2.6km PE pipeline to connect Tollerdown reservoir to the village of Corscombe, a 6km PE pipeline linking Chitterne water treatment works with Castle Barn reservoir to provide a back-up supply for Shrewton and the Wylye area and a 3.73km PE pipeline to connect Ditchampton Reservoir with Bulbridge water treatment works to provide security of supply to the localised Bulbridge area of Salisbury.

For further information contact GPS on 01480 52121 or visit www.gpsuk.com

The most complete range of fully integrated andincreased fittings potential future issuespipes with demand

IWEX Innovation Award winner and the risk of low pressure in the existing main Suitable for corrosive conditions – avoid expensive soil reports

and GPS enabled Wessex Water to tailor the size of

Find out more at: www.gpsuk.com/protecta-line pipe to the required flow rate at different sections

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10/04/2013 16:15

HYDROK Hydrok install Raw Water Intake Screens for United Utilities Hydrok, as a major manufacturer and supplier to the UK Water Industry have further extended their Water Engineering Solutions portfolio to include a dedicated Clean Water solutions service.

The Hydrok Clean Water section of operation includes; Screening & Surface Water Management and Flow Control & Flood Alleviation. The most notable inclusion in this new addition to the Hydrok service is the Hydrok Raw Water Intake Screens (RWIS), designed and manufactured in the UK as a bespoke service to meet specific project requirements and to comply with the EU Habitats Directive and the Eel Directive for England & Wales.

Hydrok, working as a subcontractor to GCA JV (GallifordTry, Costain, Atkins) designed, manufactured, installed and commissioned a new Raw Water Intake Screening system for use by United Utilities, on the River Dee at Huntington near Chester. The River Dee is environmentally important and is designated as a Special Area of Conservation (SAC) under the European Union’s Habitats Directive. The Hydrok RWIS installation is required to extract and screen from the river to feed drinking water to the Huntington Water Treatment Works. Installation of fish screens at Huntington Intake has been included in the final National Environmental Programme.

The Hydrok RWIS solution incorporates an During a 15-month long entrainment study at inner purging system which, at pre-determined Huntington Intake the entrained species comprised intervals, backwashes the intake screen of salmon parr, salmon pre-smolts, salmon smolts, through an innovative ‘Progressive Velocity Flow sea lamprey ammocoetes, river/brook lamprey Distributor’ (PVFD) that maintains the flow rate ammocoetes, river lamprey transformers, river within the intake screen from the source whilst lamprey adults and a sea lamprey adult. Of these, ensuring optimum screen performance. This it was determined within the final report of the system creates a dual action screen purge with River Dee Fish Entrainment Study - APEM 2007, a calculated volume of compressed air to purge that salmon smolts, pre-smolts and river lamprey the screen creating a 2 stage backwash, firstly adult populations were at greatest risk from losses with the displaced water within the pipe and through entrainment into the Huntington intake. secondly by high pressure compressed air blowing The agreed solution with both the EA and Natural through the PVFD and removing any accumulated England (NE) was to install Passive Wedge Wire materials from the face of the screen whilst still Cylinder screens with 8mm slot apertures. protecting the ingress of aquatic life. 

The Directives required a maximum velocity through the screen of 0.15m/sec. The Hydrok RWIS solution included the manufacture of 8 Hydrok RWIS within Hydrok’s UK factory, each 1.2 metre diameter by 4.0 metre long, utilising 8mm aperture 316 stainless steel wedge wire to protect ingress of aquatic life into the treatment works.

Hydrok manufactured and installed the complete system including the 8 screens plus Duty/Standby 75Kw Hydrovane rotary vane compressors supplying a 9,800 litre air receiver. The new system was fully operational in May 2013 with the designed screening flow rate across the combined 8 Hydrok RWIS is 31,680m3 per hour.

To learn more about the Hydrok Clean Water solutions go to the Clean Water section of Water Management Systems at www.Hydrok.co.uk or call Dave Armstrong 01726 861900, dave. armstrong@hydrok.co.uk

C LEAN WATER M ANAGEMENT S YSTEMS: Screening & Surface Water Management Hydrok Raw Water Intake Screens (RWIS) - Complies with the EU Habitats Directive and the Eel Directive for England & Wales

Flow Control & Flood Alleviation - HydroSlide and HydroSlide Rivers

Geiger Fish Protection Technology For the complete Hydrok Clean Water solutions portfolio visit the website

www.hydrok.co.uk

01726 861900

sales@hydrok.co.uk

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Staff Development at Anglian Waters Central Laboratory Chris Gilfoyle, Laboratory Manager at Anglian Water, believes a competent and motivated workforce is key to providing the highest quality analytical and sampling services. “The Laboratory produces over 2 million results each year and we need to be able to guarantee every sample we collect is representative and every analytical result produced meets the strict requirements of our quality system. It is the only way we can give our Customers and Regulators confidence in our results. We cannot consistently meet these high standards without recruiting the highest calibre staff. Investing time and resources in technical training and ongoing development - to ensure we maintain a technically competent workforce capable of meeting changing requirements is absolutely essential.”

The Laboratory has a joined up approach to ensure it has the technical experts it needs. Chris adds “by offering a range of funded, staff development programmes, that offer both academic and professional qualifications we are beginning to attract high calibre applicants to fill our vacancies”.

The Laboratory has taken this approach as they recognised the potential for skills shortages with reductions in the number of suitably qualified scientific applying for jobsIn addition, ongoing compliance with the DWI’s Competent Person Requirements (Regulation 16 of the Water Supply (Water Quality) Regulations) is a key driver, and the Laboratory is increasing the technical expectations it places on all staff.

To overcome these challenges the Laboratory has taken a proactive approach to staff recruitment, development and retention in the form of an Integrated Recruitment and Staff Development Plan.

Recruitment In addition to the traditional advertising and ‘temp to permanent’ route, the Laboratory has been forging links with local educational establishments to promote their position as a leading employer of scientists in the region. The benefits of these links are already clear to see.

Louise Ward, Support Service Manager, has played a leading role in developing the recruitment initiatives.

Louise says: “The key starting point is getting over to prospective employees the benefits of working in an organisation keen on developing its employees.

We are looking for people with a passion for science who want a rewarding career in a leading analytical laboratory”. We have a number of initiatives in place to inform and attract candidates with academic qualifications and experience at all levels.”

Louise continues: “We started by attending careers events at local schools and organising visits and work placements. These are ideal opportunities to promote a career in science at an early stage and explain some of the opportunities we can offer, such as our apprenticeship programme.”

The Laboratory is also building relationships with local Universities and Colleges, attending careers events and hosting interactive careers days to help promote an understanding of the work they do. Chris adds: “all of the events we have held have been very successful and have resulted in many of those attending applying for roles. It is rewarding when you hear somebody say that they would never have thought to apply for a job at Anglian Water, but after seeing what we have to offer they want to join us. It’s a sign that we need to do more of the same!”

Apprenticeship The Laboratory Technician Apprenticeship Scheme was launched in 2011 which is open to school leavers with basic scientific qualifications. Successful applicants take up a permanent role and complete work based learning towards an academic qualification whilst performing basic technician duties. The scheme aims to be a source of high quality, appropriately qualified technical staff who might otherwise be looked over when competing against qualified graduates. A further intake of apprentices is planned for later this year.

Laura Grout was one of the first apprentices to be taken on by the Laboratory and has been working in the Clean Water section.

“A place on the apprenticeship scheme was a huge opportunity for me to further develop my scientific education after leaving school and something I had always wanted to do. I am supported through my course-work and on the job training, and the whole process has been a real confidence boost. I’m looking forward to completing my degree and continuing my journey within the Labs. I would encourage anyone considering a similar opportunity to take up the challenge, its hard work balancing work and education but very rewarding.”

“A place on the apprenticeship scheme was a huge opportunity for me to further develop my scientific education after leaving school and something I had always wanted to do. I am supported through my course-work and on the job training, and the whole process has been a real confidence boost."

Laura Grout

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FEATURE:SAMPLING & ANALYSIS 1

1

Chris Gilfoyle

2

Louise Ward

3

Laura Grout

4

Katy Buckland and James Bell

5

Gary Barazi

2

3

4

5

Graduates The Laboratory Leadership Programme also began in 2011. Aimed at scientific graduates, the programme offers fast track development towards a Technical Management role. The programme - which lasts up to three years - involves rotational placements in a chosen specialism (Life Science, Chemistry or Laboratory Support), to hone technical skills. In addition, management skills training is provided, along with project work, all undertaken in conjunction with the wider Anglian Water business and wider water industry.

Katy Buckland is a Leadership Graduate working in Support Services and Logistics. “I was working as a laboratory technician when I heard about the leadership programme, which seemed like a great opportunity, so I was quick to apply. I have now been in the role for over 18 months, working mostly in the Quality Assurance Team. I have gained an overview of all the various departments. The role has its challenging aspects, but with various ongoing side projects and with my next placement coming up, I’m excited to see where it will lead me.”

Staff development Whilst career development opportunities are an important factor in attracting applicants to apply for laboratory based roles they are also essential to retaining experienced staff.

The Laboratory is actively promoting Continued Professional Development (CPD) as a way of offering its permanent employees wishing to further their careers the opportunity to develop the necessary skills All staff will eventually become members of a Professional Institution such as the Institute of Water, and will gain recognition through obtaining appropriate professional status. The pathway to professional recognition relies on a combination of appropriate academic qualifications, demonstration of key

competencies through work based learning, and the production of a CPD record. These records form the basis of personalised continual development plans and are linked to an individual’s annual performance targets. All staff have agreed development areas which are based on the competencies identified in the Competent Analyst Regulations, along with other Laboratory specific requirements.

The target is for all Technicians and supervisory staff to attain at Registered Technician status as a minimum. For Scientists and Senior Managers, Registered Scientist and Chartership are requirements. Those already working towards professional status say they are finding the whole process rewarding.

Sampling staff An analytical result, no matter how well determined is only as good as how the sample was collected and transported. For this reason, the regulatory sampling teams are following a Sampler Competency Development Programme.

The work based programme has been developed with input from key Anglian Water stakeholders, including the Regulatory and Operational teams. It covers all aspects of sampling including regulatory requirements, health and safety, customer service, technical aspects and basic operational knowledge. On completion, a Level 2 Diploma qualification is awarded.

Gary Barazi, Logistics Manager says: “We have a large sampling team with a wide range of experience, covering both clean and Waste Water sampling.

The requirements we place on our samplers are changing constantly, a major emphasis at the moment for instance is increased Customer satisfaction. The Development Programme is in addition to our basic technical training and is primarily work based. Evidence of competency is collected by the individual samplers, who are supported by our management team who act as mentors.

The Managers are also learning on the job and will be awarded formal assessor qualifications. All in all it’s a great programme and the first of our of our samplers has recently completed the course.”

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Laboratory Quality Assurance: that sinking feeling?

The role of the laboratory is to provide qualitative and quantitative data to describe the characteristics of a submitted sample, but the value of these analytical measurements is dependent on the level of confidence that can be placed in the results. So, how do we ensure the accuracy and reliability of the results? By following quality assurance (QA) practices, right from when the sample is taken through to the customer getting the result. we have to continually raise our QA practices to meet them.

By Katy Buckland

With the growing importance of analytical measurements in modern society from greater environmental awareness and increasingly stringent regulations, QA practices are becoming only more important, and whilst not actually guaranteeing the quality of data produced, increases the likelihood of it being fit for purpose. Mistakes or random/systematic errors may still occur, meaning a result will always have an uncertainty of measurement attached to it, but QA practices will limit the frequency and magnitude of such errors and help to achieve proper performance of the analytical task. QA is therefore an essential component of any laboratory. The problem with QA is that it’s an ever-evolving field, and with standards being updated or new legislation being published,

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QA has come a long way in a relatively short space of time. In 1901, the Engineering Standards Committee began – the first formal quality committee established to standardise the variety of sizes of iron and steel sections. Soon after in 1903, the British Standards Mark was created, later known as the Kitemark, which, largely used for technical and engineering applications indicated to buyers that goods were up to standard. In 1931, the Engineering Standards Committee was granted a Royal Charter and subsequently became The British Standards Institution (BSI). Then during the war, ordinary standards work was stopped and efforts were concentrated on producing ‘war emergency standards’, 400 of which were produced between 1939 and 1945. Then in 1946 the first ever Commonwealth Standards Conference was held, which led to the establishment of the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) in 1947, bringing international coordination for standards as needed with the growth of transport and trade. By the late 1950s and 1960s the market place was flooded with consumer goods, many mass-produced of dubious quality.

As a result, 1953 saw the Kitemark applied to

domestic and commercial products. In 1979, the UK’s first management systems quality standard, BS 5750, was published by BSI, which was superseded by the familiar ISO 9000 series. Today, ISO have over 19500 international standards, indicating how people across all industries are starting to recognise the benefits of QA systems.

For the water industry, there was very limited regulation before privatisation in 1989, which subsequently created the Drinking Water Inspectorate (DWI) and the Environment Agency (EA). These require compliance with various regulations and in some cases specify standards that must be worked to alongside that regulation.

On the potable water side, the DWI requires compliance with the Water Supply (Water Quality) Regulations and the successive DWI Information Letters used to communicate any changes in regulatory matters. It covers approximately 50 parameters, including chemicals, microorganisms and aesthetic qualities such as colour, clarity and taste. It specifies the frequency of monitoring for the different parameters and targets called prescribed concentrations or values (PCVs) that define the maximum allowed concentration for the analyte specified. Within this extensive standard, it is specifically Reg. 16 that is directly related to the laboratory. It states:

FEATURE:SAMPLING & ANALYSIS “Collection and analysis of samples must be representative of the quality of water at the time of sampling.”

To do so, as a laboratory we must be able to establish, within acceptable precision and bias limits, whether the sample exceeds it’s PCV. Therefore, prior to using a method for routine analysis of compliance samples, we carry out performance testing to ensure it meets targets, including detection of the parameter at the LOD specified. Further to this, within a run of samples we have to have an internal analytical quality control (AQC) sample (a minimum of 1 per 20 real samples) that has a known result with specified acceptability limits. In addition, where a suitable scheme exists we have to take part in proficiency testing, which acts an external AQC. Exceedances of either are fully investigated. The Water Regs. also specifies about: equipment, which must be located and used in accordance with the manufacturers recommendations and be within calibration and servicing dates; records, which must be retained for at least 6 years; and the competent person requirement, whereby staff must be trained and working towards the necessary qualifications or for management chartered status, to demonstrate competence. A result is only as good as the sample and therefore a laboratory must also have a sampling manual detailing, for example, the type and size of sample bottle to be used, how to avoid contamination when taking a sample, sample preservation and sample storage i.e. temperature control. Perhaps the key requirement to all of this is that any laboratory carrying out analysis on drinking water must have in place a system of analytical quality control subject to independent checking. The approved body is UKAS and the best practice for a quality system is defined as that set out in ISO 17025 ‘The General Requirements for the Competence of Testing and Calibration Laboratories’ and the Drinking Water Testing Specification (DWTS). All laboratories must therefore obtain and maintain UKAS accreditation to ISO 17025 and DWTS to ensure regulatory sample results submitted to the DWI are accredited.

On the waste-water side, the EA requires compliance with MCERTS (Monitoring emissions to air, land and water) ‘Performance Standard for Organisations Undertaking Sampling and Chemical Testing of Water’ for all our Operator Self Monitoring (OSM) samples. Since OSM was introduced in 2009 water companies have monitored their own discharges to water and

reported the results to the EA. The EA use these results to determine how well the water company comply with their permit conditions. MCERTS sits over and above ISO 17025, so a laboratory must be accredited to ISO 17025 for a method before it can apply for MCERTS. The standard places particular emphasis on validation of methods across a range of matrices, untreated sewage, treated sewage effluents and trade effluents, in order to prove the method is robust with real samples. Over time it is expected for the standard to be extended to include other aqueous matrices.

Unlike the Water Regs. there are no PCVs, instead there are critical levels of interest which are site specific. In addition, internal AQCs must be matrix certified reference materials or recovery estimates relevant to the matrix shall be determined by spiked recoveries. Perhaps most importantly, it also specifies the need for one ongoing validation exercise for each accredited method per year.

“Ongoing validation of a variety of samples that will in time represent the full range of samples and concentrations received by the laboratory for each accredited matrix shall be undertaken.”

On top of this the EU produces legislation in the form of European Directives, targeted at protecting public health and the environment, achieved either by placing controls on discharges to the water environment or by defining environmental standards that have to be met.

Due to their volume, discharges of urban wastewater (UWW) are the second most serious cause of water pollution in the form of eutrophication.

The UWW Treatment Directive (UWWTD) concerns the collection, treatment and discharge of UWW. It gives limit concentrations required for discharges from UWW treatment plants based on percentage reduction in relation to the load of the influent for 5 key water quality parameters: biochemical oxygen demand, chemical oxygen demand, suspended solids, total phosphorus and total nitrogen. Having been issued in 1991, it is slightly out of date stating the requirements of this specification are satisfied by accreditation

by NAMAS (now UKAS), for which the standard specified is M10 (now replaced by ISO 17025).

It goes on to say these requirements shall be satisfied by laboratories that do not hold NAMAS accreditation, indicating accreditation is not mandatory. It is likely this will change when next updated, and may also refer to the 2009 MCERTS performance standard for automatic water sampling equipment, as UWW samples must be 24-hour composites.

ISO 17025 is the approved pre-requisite quality management standard for all the regulations discussed. This covers all aspects of the complex and comprehensive requirements a laboratory must meet to successfully gain accreditation, and is based on the principle of performance monitoring and continual improvement. Since the standard is about competence, accreditation is simply formal recognition of a demonstration of that competence. UKAS audit on an annual basis, with a reassessment visit carried out on a 4-year cycle, against ISO 17025 and the associated regulatory standards. In addition, the EA introduced Operator Monitoring Assessment (OMA) audits to cover the UWWTD and OSM, to strengthen operators self-monitoring arrangements.

As well as the regulations and standards discussed, there is a host of other standards that the laboratory may work alongside, such as those associated with stability guidance, supplier requirements, business continuity, environmental management and health and safety management. Ultimately though, everything we do aims to guarantee as much as possible representative sampling and analysis.

How? By quantifying the magnitude of errors, reducing them where possible and maintaining a constant control over them. The evidence is clear that there is a definite need to maintain and improve QA practices, but with the regulations ever changing themselves it seems just when you are getting somewhere there is something new you have to achieve. That is the positive and negative aspect about continual improvement.

Laboratories have to invest more and more in state of the art equipment, significant levels of staff, training and time to meet these increasing quality expectations and requirements. Although it’s necessary to continually make improvements, meeting further QA practices can be challenging.

At some point in the future a cost-benefit analysis may be valuable, to determine if for example, the benefit of achieving that new LOD is actually of disproportionate cost. For now though, QA has room for expansion.

“Ongoing validation of a variety of samples that will in time represent the full range of samples and concentrations received by the laboratory for each accredited matrix shall be undertaken.”

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Passive samplers deployed ‘in anger’ Taking samples of river water using the conventional method of filling bottles by hand can be costly and time-consuming. The results obtained from these ‘spot’ samples can, at best, only provide a snapshot of the concentration target compounds which may be present at the time of sampling.

Subsequent interpretation of the analytical results obtained is difficult – was it the leading edge of a pollutant plume, the peak, or the trailing edge? – the time lag between these results and repeat samples or remedial action inevitably means the environmental investigation is reactive in nature. A number of alternative monitoring strategies have been proposed recently, including the use of passive sampling techniques. These devices can be deployed alone or, more often, are used in conjunction with spot sampling to provide additional data on water quality.

Recently, a research collaboration between South West Water, the University of Portsmouth, Natural Resources Wales and the Westcountry Rivers Trust has been established to use the Chemcatcher™ passive sampler (developed at the University of Portsmouth) to investigate water quality in the South West region. Chemcatcher™ is a small plastic device fitted with a specifically tailored receiving phase disk that has a high affinity for the target compounds of interest.

Different phases are available to sequester non-polar (e.g. polyaromatic hydrocarbons and some pesticides) and polar pollutants (e.g. pharmaceuticals and personal care products), heavy metals (e.g. cadmium, copper, lead and zinc) and some radionuclides (e.g. caesium-137).

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In practice, the receiving phase disk is overlaid with an appropriate, thin diffusion-limiting membrane. These devices can be used to obtain the equilibrium concentration of the pollutants or, more typically, time-weighted average (TWA) concentrations over the sampling period. For the latter measurements, the samplers have to be calibrated in the laboratory prior to field deployment so as to estimate the uptake rate of the compound of interest.

The first riverine trials using the Chemcatcher™ involved monitoring pesticides along the River Exe. Here the aim was to ‘field test’ the technique and hopefully identify any acid herbicide pollution ‘black-spots’. Over a two-week period in early May 2013, timed to coincide with known agricultural applications and forecasted rainfall, a number of Chemcatcher™ devices were deployed along an approximately 25 mile length of the river.

Sampling locations included major tributaries such as the Rivers Barle and Lowman in addition to sites on the Exe itself at Exebridge, Stoodleigh, Tiverton, Thorverton and the intake to Pynes Water Treatment Works at Brampford Speke (see figure 1). Chemcatcher™ samplers were housed in a number of specially fabricated metal cages supplied by Anthony Gravell, Technical Specialist at Natural Resources Wales Llanelli Laboratory (who works on passive sampling in

conjunction with HPLC-MS techniques for the analysis of pesticides, pharmaceuticals and endocrine disruptors in various environmental compartments). Each cage held three replicate sampling devices and was weighted to ensure stability. Further security was ensured with the addition of chains used to anchor the cages to suitable points on the river bank such as trees.

Accompanying one litre water samples were taken regularly at each of the sites over the deployment period to provide corroborating information on the functioning and performance of the samplers.

The River Exe was chosen for the first ‘live’ trial due to its inclusion in the national EA and Voluntary Initiative (VI) ‘FourScope’ project.

This is focussed on four catchments across the country designated as Water Framework Directive Article 7 Drinking Water Protected Areas (DrWPA) with additional Safeguard Zone status (SGZ) which require a formal ‘action plan’ to be drawn up by the EA and implemented with a range of stakeholders in order to reverse any trends in deteriorating raw water quality. The Exe has a long history of pesticide detections – particularly in the middle to lower reaches – and following the 2004 industry price review, quality improvement schemes (installation of Granular Activated Carbon) were implemented at both the Allers (supplying Tiverton, mid- and east-Devon) and

FEATURE:SAMPLING & ANALYSIS Pynes (supplying Exeter and surrounding areas) water treatment works.

Prior to the trials, researchers at the University and South West Water’s Organics Laboratory leader, Ian Townsend, worked together to identify a receiving phase disk capable of binding a group of nine specific pesticides which are commonly detected in raw waters in the South West. Laboratory tests were undertaken using a large calibration vessel filled with River Exe raw water and spiked with known concentrations of the pesticides under investigation. Here the aim was to measure the uptake kinetics (and hence the sampler uptake rates) of these chemicals over a two-week period. Once these data were available, they were used to estimate the TWA concentrations of these pollutants in the river over the field trial period.

Mecoprop and MCPA were the predominant pollutants identified in the field trial, but in total seven different acid herbicides were detected including Clopyralid and Triclopyr. A good correlation was observed between the pollutants identified by spot sampling and those detected on the receiving disks and, furthermore, the relative levels detected at different sites correlated well between disks and corresponding water samples.

The River Lowman was identified as a previously unknown major source of acid herbicide pollution in the lower Exe catchment with preliminary calculations indicating the presence of a TWA concentration of ~80 ng/l Mecoprop throughout the course of the study. A second field trial is underway to identify other potentially problematic sub-catchments.

All the results from this study and ways to extend the use of the Chemcatcher™ sampler for monitoring other problematic pollutants will be discussed at an upcoming workshop on the use of passive samplers for the monitoring of polar pesticides within the remit of the EU WFD to be held at the University of Portsmouth in late September 2013.

“We are really pleased with the results obtained from the trial so far”, said Lewis Jones from SWW; “The deployment of passive samplers in a catchment – and the ability to focus down on to sub-catchments and individual tributaries – will be crucial in both targeting our catchment management interventions and assessing the subsequent improvements in water quality.”

“The deployment of passive samplers in a catchment – and the ability to focus down on to sub-catchments and individual tributaries – will be crucial in both targeting our catchment management interventions and assessing the subsequent improvements in water quality.”

Lewis Jones from SWW

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SOUTHEASTAREANEWS

WaterAid Climb Following our visit to the Peak District last year the South East Area continued its adventure north by choosing to climb the Pike of Blisco in the Lake District for this years WaterAid 200 Challenge.

This year South East Area Team consisted of employees from Portsmouth Water, Southern Water, Thames Water and Primayer.

To add further excitement to the trip, as the team members were leaving from a variety of locations and times around the South East we decided to have a Top Gear style race with the winners first to arrive at the White Lion pub in Ambleside. With the last members arriving at the pub at around 11:00 there was enough time to get last orders in and make introductions The last 2 years that we have taken part in these challenges it has been raining so it was a pleasant surprise to wake up on Saturday morning to find lovely sunshine and clear skies. However after posing for a few photos at the bottom of the mountain it became clear that the heat was more of a hindrance than first expected.

Although everyone had come prepared with sun cream, drinks and sunglasses; there was even an umbrella hat!!

Nevertheless around 13:00 the team reached the summit of the mountain and brought out the flags of each company to celebrate the achievement.

The rest of the day was spent in; you guessed it, the pub which actually meant we were out to the early hours of Sunday morning!

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A big thank you to all who took part, and an even bigger thank you to the companies, colleagues, family and friends who kindly sponsored the team.

Over ÂŁ4000 was raised by the team which will help WaterAid in their work to bring water supplies to Nepal. The South East Area have taken part in this event for the last 3 years and have now raised over ÂŁ10,000, a massive effort and thanks must go to everyone involved over this time However we will be back next year!!

MIDLANDSAREANEWS

Derwent Valley Aqueduct Resilience

Over 70 people came to hear about the major capital scheme to refurbish the Derwent Valley Aqueduct (DVA). Three speakers covered different aspects of the work: Alan Payne introduced the whole project and explained the background, Bob Taylor described the different projects and Guy Hayter explained how the latest asset management techniques had been used to minimise costs.

collaborative working for the most effective outcome, everyone was co-located, including the design, construction and operational teams. The work included:

The DVA was built over 100 years ago, supplying up to 200 million litres of water per day from the peak district to nearly 600,000 customers in Derby, Nottingham, Leicester and Birmingham.

To date it has served the area well, but the capital projects and Asset Management Plan will give much needed supply resilience and identify further projects to ensure it lasts another 100 years. Today it would cost around £2 billion to replace this asset, but the current resilience works are only costing around £50m.

n Water production maintenance – all the water treatment works which feed into the DVA.

This work has had to be co-ordinated with other works on the strategic water network and required a new team to be set up. To drive excellent

n Aqueduct maintenance n Resilience schemes n Ambergate Reservoir renewal

Stakeholder engagement involved a significant amount of resource, but the benefits already gained have proven it was extremely worthwhile.

One of the resilience projects was the Duplication of sections of the DVA. The solution used as an example involved returning an old main to service.

This required relining a 9.3km length of 39”pipe; up to 800m at a time and refurbishing the valves. So far 4½ km of lining have been installed in a folded approach where water at 3 bar is then pumped in to open up the pipe so it reverts to shape.

DVA – Asset Management The Asset Management Plan for the DVA covered 1900 valves, over 100 valve houses and chambers, 380km of main as well as reservoirs, bridges etc. The work included condition assessment to develop a plan of work, improve emergency plans and purchase strategic spares to speed up any emergency repairs.

Some installations were re-engineered to improve health, safety and ease of operation. In other cases short term repairs have been implemented to allow a longer term repair to be planned for the next asset management period, saving money and reducing risk overall.

Site Visit The following week, members joined Severn Trent Water and their Contract partners out on site to see the work in progress, an opportunity which really brought to life what we were shown at the initial seminar. Thanks to all who hosted a very informative two-part event.

The Impact of the Water White Paper On 21st May, the Midlands Area hosted an event on ‘The Impact of the Water White Paper’ which was held at Severn Trent Centre, Coventry.

Sonia Brown, Senior Director of Markets and Economics of OFWAT was welcomed by over 40 guests as she outlined the importance of the Government’s draft ‘Water Bill’. Sonia went on to highlight the need for action in light of climate change and the stress on water resources in the UK. The ‘Water Bill’ is designed to improve resilience, reduce pressure on resources and increase levels of services to customers. The retail market reforms proposed should create a more vibrant and competitive market which will drive innovation, improve customer service, and reduce bills. Sonia also highlighted the need for the water industry to learn from the experiences of other utility industries, in respect of competition within the retail sector.

Jeremy Hobbis, Market Development Director of Severn Trent Costain continued the event with a presentation on the retail competition market in

England and Wales, and the first retail switch in this market with First Milk Cheese. Severn Trent Costain had successfully partnered with First Milk and its five sites across the UK, thus reducing the need for separate suppliers and numerous bills to a position where just one single consolidated bill was now being received by the customer.

Jeremy went on to further explain the “Good, Bad and the Ugly” of the switch, and the subsequent challenges that the market develops. However, the presentation focused on the customer experience and the significant benefits First Milk are now receiving from the switch.

Both presentations were well received and an excellent question and answer session took place, with some challenging and thought provoking areas being discussed and debated.

Thank you to both Sonia and Jeremy for two excellent and informative presentations, as well as all the guests for their attendance and participation, ensuring that this event was a great success.

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Institute of Water NI Area Annual Conference The Northern Ireland Area held its Annual Conference on 18 - 19 April in the Radisson Blu Hotel Belfast on Storm Water Management. with the consumer and 66% would be prepared to make adjustments to their homes.

For the future 68% of the public felt that a single government body to deal with all types of flooding was required. An early warning system was also preferable and local engagement essential. A substantial percentage of households in Northern Ireland do not have contents insurance.

Stuart Wightman of DRD Water Policy Unit completed session 1. He explained that the long term strategy was to provide strategic direction, facilitate long term investment planning and to bring together all interested parties. Flood risk management challenges included funding, climate change, environmental protection, development, growth and insurance.

George Butler, Northern Ireland Area President with Conference Delegates

George Butler, Northern Ireland Area President, welcomed all to the conference and introduced the chairman for the first session, John Simpson, a well known local economist and journalist.

Naomi Long MP for East Belfast gave the Keynote address. It was noted that Naomi is probably the most qualified Member of Parliament in the area of Storm water Management due to her background as a civil engineer working for many years on the design of drainage schemes.

It was also a subject of direct interest to her due to the flooding events which have affected her constituency. The address was an excellent summary of the current less than optimal arrangement for storm water management in Northern Ireland. She highlighted the need for the agencies responsible for flood management to work closely together to develop localised flooding solutions and the need for a coordinating body for larger flood alleviation projects.

Sometimes politicians can disappoint as key note speakers but the NI Conference audience were treated to an address of the highest quality which displayed the knowledge and expertise of the speaker. If Ms Long MP had the power to reform the current systems in place there would be significant improvements to flooding in Northern Ireland. Her address was very well received by the Conference and she remained at the event all morning and contributed fully to the question and answer session.

The keynote was followed by Kerry Hall of Sicily Park Residence Association who has been

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affected by flooding on more than one occasion.

She made us aware of what it is like to have your house and surrounding area flooded and the heartache involved in getting back to normal, dealing with the agencies involved and insurance companies.

Sicily Park is a street of 250 homes and has a 90 year old combined sewerage system which overflows in times of very heavy rain. Two significant flooding events took place in 2008 and 2012 when internal flooding of houses took place. The problem was that several agencies were involved no one took the lead and it was difficult to get immediate action. Those driven from their homes had to make arrangements to stay with family, friends or in hotels. Kerry concluded by stating "If you have not been affected by flooding you have no idea the upheaval and devastation it causes" Kathy Graham, Head of Water at the Consumer Council NI, gave us the Consumer Councils perspective on Flooding and some details from recent research they had carried out. The long term strategy is to work with all agencies in NI and the Consumer Council's no. 1 priority is to stop flooding of homes and stop the devastating impact on consumers.

Recent research into who to contact when flooded suggested that 22% thought of NI Water while Rivers Agency was 6%, Roads service 8% but only 7% to Flood Line. A staggering 46% did not know so an awareness campaign is required. On shared responsibility 64% agreed some responsibility lay

The strategic aim is "To sustainably manage flood risk at source through improved flood prevention, protection and preparedness". i.e. "Make space for water". The Policy Unit hopes to publish a final strategy document by November 2014.

After Lunch we were pleased to have the Institute of Water’s National Chair, Kathy Auld, with us to chair session 2. She introduced the first speaker of the session, Peter Close from NIEA Water Management Unit who gave us some examples of local solutions to flooding.

Peter gave a detailed explanation of the Ballyclare Pilot Project which includes several nearby villages and looks at separation of storm water and the use of suds. Other examples included Newtownards and Sicily Park where the possible use of Balmoral Golf Club could be a solution.

Professor David Balmforth, Executive Technical Director at MWH, spoke about Managing Exceedences. David informed us that the Glasgow flooding of 2002 still had no satisfactory solution.

It is estimated that by 2080 storm water flows will increase by 40% and conventional solution costs will rise between 4 - 8 times.

Storm water modelling is now very accurate and can give excellent predictions of flooding. We need to make space for flooding like the project in Nijmegen, Netherlands.

Methods of doing this include: n Creating Surface flood Pathways i.e. Roads Designed as Flood ways n Creating Sacrificial flood storage e.g. - Brazil

NORTHERNIRELANDAREANEWS n Singapore have a small item in the building regulations that removes flood risk by raising floor levels above surrounding ground n Floating homes e.g. - Netherlands n Improving the fabric of buildings to be more water resistant n There is a need for a Multiple Stakeholder Approach and managing exceedence is not a new concept Next Joe Nicholson, Head of Strategic Planning Rivers Agency, gave us an insight into Flood Risk Management in Northern Ireland. It is the Rivers Agency’s aim to reduce the risk to life and damage to property and the power to do this comes from the Drainage Order 1973 and the Floods Directive 2009.

In Northern Ireland 46,000 homes are at risk of flooding and 15,500 of these benefit from flood defences. The ratio is 1/20 while the ratio in England is 1/6. 20,000 homes are at risk from surface water flooding while 28,000 are at risk from reservoir flooding. The Floods Directive empowered the Rivers Agency to access and manage flood risk and reduce its effects. Floods sources include Rivers, Sea, Surface, Impounding Reservoirs and Sewers.

Key stagesऀ n Preliminary Flood Risk management by December 2011 n Produce Hazard Risk Maps by December 2013 ऀ​ऀ n Produce Flood Risk Management Plans by December 2015 There are 69 areas subject to flood risk assessment. Flood risk management plans must include the three P's - Prevention, Protection, and Preparedness. Joe outlined the need for Engagement and Communications, drivers for successful partnering and the principals for storm water management partnership.

Mark Livingstone from NI Environment agency spoke about "Developing Integrated Storm Water Management". Mark outlined the problem and the drivers behind it such as growth and climate change. There are constraints on capital expenditure and reductions in operating costs which conflict with the EU directives ie. floods, habitats, urban WWT and Water framework directives. Sustainable solutions need to be developed and a pilot study has been on going in Ballyclare. The Storm Water Management Group is made up of all the agencies.

Day one ended with Wendy Langham from the Greenway Project in East Belfast. Their purpose is to clean up the local area to make it a welcoming place to visit, support community learning and promote wellbeing and include a flood protection scheme for 1700 properties. The scheme involves cleaning 5km of rivers and surrounding parkland and developing capacity for flood alleviation.

Phase 1 will deal with Victoria Park and Phase 2 Orangefield Park. Assistance is being given by Queens University with their PARC Study.

Kathy Auld, Past Chair and George Butler with Conference Delegates

Day two began with the NI area AGM followed by Paul Cobbing from the National Flood Forum.

Paul explained that the national flood forum’s purpose was (1) To help people prepare for flooding, (2) Help people recover from flooding and (3) Campaign to Government.

n Role of Local Government

The Forum has four principles:

The lead on flood events and prevention was taken by a Local Flood Authority whose responsibilities included:

n Do more to prevent flooding n Better projection of weather patterns n Recovery process can be worse than the flood itself

n Individual Property Protection Dr. David Hickman from Lincoln Co. Council explained the partnership model used in Lincolnshire.

n Preliminary Flood Risk Assessment n Flood Risk Management Plans

n Flooding can return so people can live in fear

n Emergency Response

Generally the reaction to flooding is that nobody wants to know and this leads to stress, anger, frustration and fear.

n Suds and developing solutions.

The National Flood Forum will set up in the community after the blue light organisations have gone and discuss the risks of flooding in the area, things that individuals can do, and help with flood plans. “Lots of little steps can greatly reduce the risk of flooding” David Porter, Director of Development with the NI Rivers Agency was next on the topic of Future Flood Risk Management. The purpose was to manage the flood risk as laid down by the EU Floods Directive.

Some key dates are: n Preliminary flood risk assessment by December 2011 n Final flood hazard and risk maps by December 2013 n Flood risk management plans by December 2015 The aim is to produce a NI Strategic flood map and to give warning of possible flood events.

The PEDU report made some recommendations:n Review in 10 years n Flood Alert system needed n One department to deal with flooding

Management strategy has three parts (1) Vision, (2) Implementation, (3) Action Plan. It has a duty to investigate surface water flooding.

The final presentation was by Suzanne Wylie of Belfast City council on Preparedness. Belfast City Council takes a coordinating role as with the recent snowfall event. They can implement a hardship payment scheme up to £1000. They also have a substantial store of equipment for use in flooding including the distribution of sandbags.

In NI there is no legislation for local government to be involved but Belfast City Council will provide support in the City.

Site specific plans, flood plans, community emergency plans have all been prepared and they have substantial premises around the city for use as emergencies centres and advice. The council encourages self-help and works closely with other agencies including the Civil Contingencies Group.

The Council encourages better communications so that we are better prepared in the future. The need to resolve the problem of who takes the lead in a flooding event and regard this as vital.

A very lively discussion and summing up of the conference was led by our President George Butler who thanked all the speakers for their excellent contributions on this very topical subject and hoped all who had attended had gained had gained a better understanding of the issue of flooding. He also thanked the NI Area committee for all the hard work in making the conference the success it was.

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EASTERNAREANEWS

World Water Day Seminar World Water Day was celebrated by the Eastern Branch with a seminar held at the Anglian Water central laboratory. It focused on topics that will enable water companies to manage resources and cope with growing demand.

explained some of the technical aspects of this new technology. It is clear that forward osmosis has advantages over more traditional reverse osmosis and that it can be applied in a variety of applications with in the water industry.

Richard Thompson (Environment Agency) opened the presentations and set out the water resource challenge and showed the segmentation of water usage across high consumers. Richard then presented the challenges in future water resource management. These included water availability, population growth and climate change. All these factors combined demonstrate demands are often highest when the environment is most at risk.

We are currently in a very fine balance with very little new water available to distribute and the Environment Agency have used future scenarios to help explore ways to meet these challenges. They compared different scenarios to an uncontrolled approach and to show the effect in reducing water consumption. The most successful scenario is one where sustainable behaviours are promoted and individuals take responsibility for saving water; this reduced the overall daily demand by 10%. Most of the scenarios lead to an unmatched demand and this shortfall will have to be met either through infra structure or developing new resources.

Jon Parr (emeter) gave an insightful view of metering through the ages. He began with a description of the earliest meters and the engineering that went into making them work.

The history followed all the way through to modern AMR meters and their application. Jon finished by explaining how new technology can be used to collect and process large volumes of data; which will be valuable in assisting water management strategies.

Peter Nicoll (Modern Water) presented on the application of forward osmosis technology. He showed how Modern Water have successfully installed two plants in Oman and Gibraltar and

Oliver Grievson (Anglian Water) finished the technical presentations by talking about a ‘smart’ future for the water industry. A ‘smart’ future is using technology to operate & manage assets to their best use by using what we, as an industry potentially already have on sites. On the majority of treatment works or networks there is a large amount of instruments that are not used to their full potential as the sheer amount of data that is produced is unmanageable. Oliver’s presentation then used case studies to show how this data could be used to operate, monitor and better manage our assets.

Matt Kirk concluded the event with a powerful account of a recent WaterAid supporters trip to India. Matt is clearly a passionate supporter of

WaterAids work and has worked hard to raise funds and awareness for this charity. Matt used some powerful experiences from his trip to highlight the need and great work that is ongoing in India, to provide water and sanitation.

Thank you to all the speakers and we look forward to a next year’s event.

Ben Tam

Hitchhikers Guide to PR14

by L Gilfoyle For anyone directly involved with PR14, terms such as ‘Willingness to Pay’, the National Environment Programme, outputs and outcomes quickly become part of the daily language used to describe the activities of future investment planning. However, for those not directly involved, it can all get a bit confusing especially as no two PR processes are the same.

Hitchhikers Guide to PR14, provided an afternoon of presentations covering key areas from the PR14 process, presented by regulatory experts in the Anglian Region. Aimed at water sector employees from all backgrounds the event provided opportunity for open discussion and questions and was hosted at Anglian Water’s Central Laboratory.

April 25th saw the Eastern Area hold its 59th Annual General meeting. Outgoing President Jon Parr (Siemens) handed over the Chain of Office to Paul Gibbs, Director of Water Recycling at Anglian Water. This will be Paul’s second term of office as Area President having previously held the position a few years ago when the area hosted the Annual Conference

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The afternoon started with Environment Agency PR14 Project Manager, Russel Robertson, introducing the National Environment Programme (NEP). Russel explained how the EA sets out the priorities for Water Company investment based on meeting European and National water quality targets. He detailed how the NEP for the Anglian region is driven by key regulations such as the Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive, Water Framework Directive and the Shellfish and Bathing Water Directives. Russel also covered

the complexities of identifying the investment required to maintain the balance of supply and demand, reduce flooding risk and meet the future challenges of sustainability in the driest area in the UK. An overview of the new PR14 framework, how outcomes and incentives work and totex was presented by Cambridge Water’s Compliance Director, Steve Morley. Steve also took the audience through the finer points of water trading, how retail, wholesale and split price limits will operate within the Water Industry and the timetable that Water Companies are operating to in order to deliver their business plan submissions for AMP 6.

To conclude, Darren Rice (Competition Manager, Anglian Water) explained the role of customers and Willingness to Pay in shaping investment plans and how even Ofwat are being challenged through the Customer Advisory Panel – a new concept for this periodic review period. Darren talked the audience through Anglian Water’s customer engagement model – ‘Discover, Discuss, Decide’, how customer engagement forums operate and the stakeholders they contain as well as presenting the reasons behind moving from outputs to outcomes and what that looks like for Anglian Water.

SCOTTISHAREANEWS

Meet the GMs – Panel Event Tuesday 28th May 2013, 5.30pm, Castle House Over thirty members, company members and guests recently attended the Scottish Area’s Panel Event "Meet the GMs". Richard Anderson, Scottish Area President, hosted an evening to meet a selection of General Managers from across Scottish Water. The event provided attendees a unique opportunity to learn more about Scottish Water and how their departments linked across to one another, how they aligned and worked together to their business goals and Vision.

The five Senior Managers attracted a significant number of attendees, all interested in hearing about the current challenges and changes ahead for Scottish Water. The audience were given a candid insight into some of Scottish Water’s current challenges and achievements and given a flavour of the external influences to their work.

In what was a new style of event for the Scottish Area, the speakers, which included current Scottish Area Vice President Rob Mustard and past Scottish Area President Paul Maxwell, were briefed to ensure that the atmosphere and format was relatively informal and conversational in approach. Importantly, the event was a Powerpoint free zone!!

Following the initial panel discussion from each of the speakers, an interactive discussion then built upon the subject matter and gave further reference to the GMs interactions under their shared Vision which was supplemented further by questions from the floor.

As anticipated in advance, this was a very well attended event and made an excellent opportunity for members to network with and meet other members and colleagues from across the Scottish water industry. Speaking after the

Charity Golf Day

Panel Event, Mark McEwen, General Manager for Capital Investment Delivery in Scottish Water remarked: "I really enjoyed the event, a good format."

Encouragement for the Scottish area Committee to consider similar events in the future – watch this space!

Richard Anderson IoW Scottish Area President Richard.anderson@veoliawater.co.uk 07747 640148

by Kathy Auld

The Scottish Area Annual Golf Charity day was held at Ratho Park Golf Club, just on the outskirts of Edinburgh on 12th June. Seven teams entered for the chance to win the Texas Scramble and the honour of collecting the trophy and a prize of a four-ball at Ratho, donated by the club.

The showers that we had experienced earlier passed on and the day brightened up with sun and a light breeze. A good day of golf was had by all with Expanded Ltd narrowly winning on a back 9 score, and retaining the trophy.

Nearest the Pin was won by David Thomson and the Longest Drive by David Mair, both from the Expanded team – it really was Expanded’s day!

After a pleasant meal Kathy introduced Sandy Cunningham, who was representing Poppy Scotland, the charity of the day. Sandy explained the charity not only supports serving service personnel and their families but ex-service personnel struggling physically, financially or emotionally with life. Sandy is also raising money by cycling to Belguim, where he will lay a wreath on behalf of the charity to those that have been

lost in service. Sandy also brought a signed Rangers top and a signed Joe Hart framed picture to be auctioned after the raffle. £1116 was raised for Poppy Scotland, which is fantastic with only 7 four-balls on the day.

Thank you so much to the companies who entered teams – Crown house Technologies, ABB, WGM Engineering K, Expanded Ltd, Clancy Dowcra and Veolia Water. Thanks also to those that donated prizes and to all for buying raffle tickets. Hopefully next year we will up the numbers and raise even more money for a worthwhile cause.

As always thanks to Ratho Park Golf Club and its staff.

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South West Area supports WRc’s 2nd Innovation Day On 24th April 2013 WRc opened its doors to around 200 visitors from water and wastewater companies, regulators, experts, technologists and innovators to debate the questions that the sector needs to answer.

The event built on the success of the WRc’s first Innovation Day held in 2012 and concentrated on the themes of “Successful Innovation in Other Sectors” and “Innovative Approaches to Engage with Customers". There was a varied mix of activities available for visitors choose during the day including presentations, focussed workshops, a showcase of successful innovations from the supply chain and opportunity to see “Innovation in Action” in WRc’s offices and experimental facilities. The event was jointly supported by the Institute of Water - South West Area and SBWWI (Society of British Water and Wastewater Industries).

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The day provided visitors with opportunities to: n Learn how other sectors have achieved innovation. n Understand how innovative approaches to communication are engaging customers. n Contribute to developing answers to the challenges that face the sector. n Network and explore how together we can change the sector.

Mark Smith, Managing Director at WRc said: “Since we last got together, innovation has taken an even higher profile in the sector and our challenge now is to ensure that the technical skills-sets that exist are used to develop innovative solutions. We have themed the 2013 event as “Learning from Other Sectors” and WRc are aiming to engage with experts from outside the water sector so we can be even more innovative in our thinking.”

Visitors found the event both enjoyable and informative and gave some very positive feedback.

“An excellent event both for learning new concepts and technologies from other sectors, and for networking with likeminded colleagues.”

“A constructive and informative event which allowed an open share of views and approaches. Looking through the lens of retail was particularly useful, a thought provoking but valuable day with plenty of opportunities to network. The pick and mix approach worked well.

Thank you for organising such a worthy event.”

Malcolm Farley, Malcolm Farley Associates

David Tyler, Southern Water

instituteofwater.org.uk

SOUTHWESTAREANEWS

South West finally wins!

Finally after 5 years of trying the SW Area finally came out on top in their annual match with the Wales Area Simon Harris (SW Area Chair) This year’s Wales v South West Ryder Cup once again took place at Cumberwell GC, with both teams eager to lock horns once more – Wales in anticipation of a another win but with SW Area keen to wrestle it away from them.

Captains on the day were Simon Harris (SW) and Steve Hennah (Wales) and although this year it was only 8 a side, the competition was no less intense.

The course was in excellent condition but played long due to the recent weather and quite strong breezy squalls encountered throughout the day.

A fairly wide range of scores came in but none able to equal the 37 points from Mark Hitchmough (SW & Cognica). Scores of 33 points from Adrian Morgan (Wales & IVL) and 32 points from Richard Barton (SW & SBW) are also worthy of a mention off handicaps of 6 & 9 respectively.

Every year the final aggregate score is fairly close but for the first time the South West Area managed to overcome the gallant Welsh by a margin of 10 points and lift the “Industrial Valves Cup”!

Once again our sponsors generously provided prizes for nearest the pin, longest drive and overall best stable ford score. The day was finished off with a 2 course meal and presentation of the trophy from where we all travelled home with thoughts of the “nearly” putts, wayward drives and the odd birdie!

Many thanks to all involved especially our sponsors, DT Civil Engineering, Primayer & Exwater UK for all helping make this an excellent event.

Congratulations to the South West Area Team and we all look forward to the return match next year.

xylem water solutions host region event

On Thursday 6th July the IoW held a South West Region event at Xylem Water Solutions UK, Axminster, Devon facility. As well as a regional meeting, the attendees were treated to a guided tour of the vast stock and booster assembly lines, along with demonstrations of their retrofitable variable speed drives.

The collective were also introduced to the various product brands available from Xylem Water Solutions, such as Flygt, Lowara, YSI, PCI, Wedeco and Sanitaire to name a few.

Subjects presented ranged from offsite booster packages manufacturing, controls and drives, along with an update on package sewage stations and legislation changes. The day proved very informative and opened up various

opportunities for all, leading to the question “when are we invited back?” The Axminster hosts replied “you and your IoW UK colleagues are most welcome whenever you like!”

Xylem is focused on helping their customers solve their most challenging water issues — treating water to make it potable, transporting it to where it is needed, using it in the most efficient manner, and then testing and cleaning it after its many uses.

In a world of ever growing challenges, Xylem delivers innovative water technology solutions throughout the cycle of water. They are the world’s largest provider of water and wastewater treatment solutions and a leading

provider of intelligent industrial pumps and related technologies.

Their technological strength across the life cycle of water is second-to-none. From collection and distribution to reuse and return to nature, their highly efficient water technologies, industrial pumps and application solutions not only use less energy and reduce life-cycle costs, but also promote sustainability.

Our thanks to Richard Sharp and Simon Harris for organising this event and to Xylem Water Solutions UK for allowing the SW Area to hold their committee meeting at their training centre.

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Myth busting the DWI

The Welsh Area of the Institute of Water took part in its very first fun day fund raising for WaterAid through the climb of Hay Bluff in Herefordshire.

We raised £343 for WaterAid and we met with the Southern Water team who had a waterbutt and a water bottle at the top to the delight of five year old Harri, our youngest walker. It was a great event and an opportunity to network with retired members of the Institute of Water, as well as meet with friends and family of existing members. All agreed this should be an annual event!

Thanks a lot to Niall Darrant from B&V for making the journey from Surrey for the event. The event attracted a large and mixed audience with Patrick coming all the way from Severn Trent to listen to the lunch and learn. The presentation covered the common myths surrounding drinking

water regulations and the surprising facts Niall and Cigolene discovered while preparing for the interviews back in 2012. The session was interactive with a lot of questions coming from the audience

NEW MEMBERS The Welsh Area Committee would like to offer a warm welcome to those who have recently joined the Institute: Bleddyn Escott

Rebecca Green

Dean Bayliss

Leanne Evans

Hannah Lewis

Rachael Oaten

Gemma Roberts

Peter Loder

Jason Copsey

Alexander Smith

Gary Fielding

Melissa Adido

Ceri Wilson

Lee Pearce

Julia Haslett

Gregory Sullivan

Emma Dent

Gareth Gough

Andrea Jeffreys

Dan Purchase

Neil Evans

Nicholas Tombs

Stephen O'Donnell

Gillian Roche

Martin Pick

Jakub Karolewski

Michael Berry

Lorna Davis

Simon Gosling

Jason Coaker

Dominic Wall

Paul Brown

Gemma Cavill

Benjamin Cale

Peter O'Hanlon

Anna Riddick

Alan Hopkins

Charlie Woollcombe-Adams

Richard Matthews

Chris Jones

Sumit Yadav

Katie Pardoe

Michelle Gaskell

Cardiff Advanced Digestion Plant Technical Visit 14/06/2013 – By Simon Barton, B&V With the escalating cost of energy, one of the key emerging trends is the need for wastewater treatment works (WwTW) to become power selfsufficient. Dwr Cymru Welsh Water (DCWW) has recognised this, and as part of the company’s move towards greater sustainability, it has invested in a £70 million programme of Advanced Digestion plants. This technical visit of the Cardiff Advanced Digestion Plant was organised and attended by Institute of Water Welsh Area members with other attendees from the Wales ICE Graduate and Students Committee. The event commenced with an informative presentation about the plant process by Joe Merry of Imtech Process. There was then a guided tour of the plant

by Robert Brown of Welsh Water.

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DCWW’s sludge strategy for AMP5 has moved away from energy intensive thermal drying and lime stabilisation to advanced digestion, with a programme to process 75% of its sludge production across four key sludge treatment centres. The approach to sludge treatment has been encouraged and supported by Welsh Assembly Government, Regulators, local planning departments and local communities.

The development and delivery of the £40 million Advanced Digestion Plant at Cardiff WwTW is at the core of this strategy. Full construction and delivery of the Cardiff scheme was required by April 2011 to maximise the Renewables Obligation Certificate (ROC) benefits, and minimise costs to customers. Imtech Process was responsible for the delivery of the process and M&E engineering

work, working collaboratively with Morgan Sindall, the civil design and construction partner.

The visit was both informative and enjoyable, whilst giving the attendees an understanding of the process of generating power through advanced digestion. The event also enabled members of the Institute of Water Welsh Area to network with graduates and students from the ICE

WELSHAREANEWS

State of the Art Laboratory Services Available The strategic decision to bring the potable laboratory and sampling services back in-house was taken by Dwr Cymru Welsh Water (DCWW) in 2010. For the last 10 years it had been provided though Severn Trent Services – Analytical services (STS-AS). Whilst we had enjoyed an acceptable level of performance and customer service during this time, more stringent regulation and increased cost pressures triggered the need to bring back in these services.

By Howard Handley, Laboratory Services Manager for DCWW One key parameter is the microbiological quality of drinking water. Analysis within a few hours is critical to ensure the sample remains stable and is representative of the water as sampled. Given the geography of the DCWW area and transport links to some of the region’s more rural locations, at least two laboratories were required to process these time critical samples.

The first laboratory to open was in Chester, North Wales at the Company’s Bretton WTWs. The Bretton laboratory was designed within an area that had been the ‘works laboratory’ some 15 years earlier and more recently as office accommodation for the network teams.

Complete refurbishment was required to provide accommodation for a modern microbiology laboratory. The team of 10 staff were recruited during the autumn from over 50 candidates.

Subsequent development of methods and training of the new team started in November 2011 with formal transition between STS-AS and DCWW of the North Wales area microbiological samples in February 2012.

The team process around 70 – 100 microbiology samples per day, 365 days a year and gained UKAS accreditation in October 2012 within 12 months of opening.

Additional value and support to the wider business has also been provided with investigations at the local WTW, taking samples from the GAC filters and surge vessels on site.

As part of the in-sourcing model we needed a facility capable of handling all of the chemical parameters required under the regulations including metals, nutrients, pesticides, herbicides and a range of phenolic and taste and odour compounds.

To achieve this, a much larger laboratory was needed, capable not only of handling the microbiological samples from South Wales, but also able to handle analysis for chemical parameters from samples taken across all of Wales.

A number of locations along the M4 corridor were considered with the final site just off the M4 at Newport. The site was previously a contact centre and provided a ‘blank canvas’ open space in which to create a new state of the art laboratory.

Glaslyn was designed and built between February and July 2012 providing some 30,000 sq ft of analytical laboratories. Built to a very high specification it effectively future proofs the business against subsequent changes in Regulations and accreditation requirements.

Glaslyn, or ‘Blue Lake’ in English, draws on the Glas Cymru (Blue Wales) ownership model of Dwr Cymru and plays on the water theme inherent in all we do. The contractors Bbi who undertook the design and construction were presented with the Gold Award at the 2013 AIS Contractors Awards.

These excellent facilities can only operate with a first class team, and a major recruitment campaign was launched to attract the best candidates. Over 1000 applications were received for around 40 roles. The assessment of candidates included telephone interviews, on-line assessments, culminating in assessment centres to ensure recruitment was not only based on the right skills and experience, but also focused on softer skills to build a high performing team that ‘gels’.

The recruitment program ran from May to August, phasing the start dates to coincide with the completion of the different phases of the laboratory. All staff underwent a comprehensive

training and induction plan. Each maintains their own CPD files and training records demonstrating their on-going competence.

Having successfully recruited, trained the team, and validated our methods the laboratory went live on the 4 November 2012; just 4 months after the builders had vacated.

In addition to recruiting an excellent team, we invested in state of the art instrumentation that would future proof us against changes in the regulations. This included the latest generation of Mass Spectrometers for both organic and inorganic chemistry. These instruments use less sample, resulting in less sample preparation, saving on labour and reducing the use of organic solvents in sample preparation, reducing our impact on the environment. The increased level of automation coupled with the improvements in sensitivity has led to significant reductions in operational costs.

As well as developing our analytical methods we have also focused on our IT platforms. A new LIMS (Laboratory Information Management System) platform has been implemented and integrated with the legacy systems in the business, presenting a few challenges in itself.

The next phase of the Glaslyn Laboratory will be the establishment of a Cryptosporidium team which will see a further 8 analytical staff recruited to perform this analysis.

We are exploring opportunities to develop our R&D capabilities with local universities and applying academic knowledge to real world challenges. Already we have identified a number of exciting projects that have the potential to add real value in growing and developing our laboratory service for the Water Industry.

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NORTHERNAREANEWS

Northern Area Spring Seminar Taking Personal Responsibility was the key theme explored during the annual Northern Area Spring Seminar, which occurred during 13th – 15th March.

David Snowball spoke about the reasoning behind poor practices which got me thinking about how I could look to incorporate these ideas into my projects. It was highlighted that humans are furious pattern matchers and the dangers of the “normalisation of deviance” (not saying no) and how we tend to fixate on bad Health and Safety practices and forget or take for granted the good.

The group presentations were challenging and good fun to see how people interpreted the key messages to produce some impressive comedic sketches. Having taken part in this group work on a previous seminar I knew what to expect but each time is unique with different members and personalities and a great opportunity to develop team-working skills. Observing the dynamics is always a treat as without fail, there are guaranteed surprises as to who shies away from the limelight and those who bask in its glory!

Martin says I would strongly encourage anyone to get involved in one of the Institute of Water regional seminars. I found the session profoundly useful and here are some of the key messages that resonated with me, which I am sure others will find of interest.

The annual seminar once again attracted a varied array of people from across the Northern Area (Northumbrian Water, Yorkshire Water, United Utilities and Bentleys Holdings Ltd), who came together to share in the learning experience. The Area President, Philip Bentley (Director, Bentley Holdings Ltd) opened proceedings and was the first of a diverse list of guest speakers originating from both internal and external of the water industry. This included Malcolm Brown, the Olympic Tri-Athlete Coach of the Brownlee brothers and employees from the organisations in attendance. Each speaker delivered inspirational talks about what ‘Taking Personal Responsibility’ meant to them and how they had made an impact in their area of work.

A programme of social activities encouraged a friendly and sociable atmosphere which included a pub quiz night, a tour of the Copper Dragon Brewery in Skipton and the infamous syndicate group presentations. The group work culminated in the much anticipated end of seminar performance competition aimed at recapping key points explored during the event in a creative, humourous and entertaining way.

Two of the delegates in attendance, Martin Ingham (Project Manager, Northumbrian Water) and Robert Chin-See (Acceptance Engineer, Northumbrian Water) take a reflective look back at the seminar highlights and provide an insight to the benefits they gained from the experience.

Robert says The things I personally enjoyed about the event (and this sounds very cliché) was the great informal and relaxed atmosphere to network and meet other people from across the industry and within my own organization, many of whom I had not worked with before.

It was inspiring to see how others had taken personal responsibility for their careers, situations and topics they felt passionate about and what they had done to achieve or promote their goal. As Jon Cain, Engineering Director at JN Bentleys put it “Intentions + No Action = Squat”. I found there were some useful models from the speeches that helped illustrate key ideas, which I could relate to. One graph showed how different personalities impact on situations and projects like a “Well Poisoner” or a “Champion” whose respective actions and attitudes can introduce negative or positive effects on a team.

Additionally, the issue of taking responsibility for Health and Safety for yourself and others was approached differently. Instead of the consequences,

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An inspirational concept sparked my interest during a talk by Sarah Salter (Group HR Director, Northumbrian Water) on the theme of what you can do to take responsibility for your career and to make a difference in your company.

Sarah introduced the idea of thinking of your career as an architectural structure. Buildings such as Buckingham Palace, The Shard and The Sage, Gateshead were used as visual illustrations of different career profiles. Broad and varied careers paths, represented by Buckingham Palace, were contrasted to the rapid vertical ascent of The Shard and the undulations of The Sage.

This model helped me to think about what I wanted the on-going building of my career to look like and what I can do to achieve a solid and interesting structure. Central to this was to look at what you can do to create and identify opportunities and to unblock yourself from your comfort zone to ensure continued development.

Complimenting Sarah and the other guest speakers, Jon Cain (Engineering Director, JN Bentley) provided a powerful, impactful and rousing look at what personal responsibility actually means for you. The basis of which is about being your authentic self; of particular interest to me as a Project Manager, was how to be an effective leader. Jon discussed how leaders of people must learn to serve rather than wield power, as power will erode relationships.

Authentic authority however is the ability to positively influence people, which is a skill to be learned. This is a direct correlation of the alignment between your attitudes and behaviours and whether they both project a positive and constructive impact upon the world around you.

Our Summary The regional seminars are fantastic events which always strike the right tone by providing industry relevant, impactful and motivational learning in a relaxed, fun and sociable environment. We would encourage people from all areas of the industry regardless of job roles to get involved in the next seminar in your area and find out for yourself how much you can benefit from it and have a laugh along the way.

Things for you to consider… n Consider the architecture of your career path and what you want it to look like n Create a vision for yourself and plan what you can do to achieve it n Participate in and encourage others to join in Institute of Water activities.

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