Institute of Water Magazine - Spring Edition 2016

SPRING2016 ISSUE189

IN THIS ISSUE: SMART WATER NETWORKS SKILLS FOR THE FUTURE INNOVATION AWARDS INTERNATIONAL CASE STUDIES INSTITUTE OF WATER JOURNAL

CONTENTS

INTRODUCTION

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Welcome to the Spring edition of the Institute of Water journal. I’m really pleased to get the opportunity to write the introduction for this issue as there are many exciting things to bring to your attention.

I am currently very privileged to be Vice National Chair of the Institute of Water, and one of the first things I want to talk about is our Annual Conference for 2016 – it will soon be here! This year’s conference is in Birmingham on 12th and 13th May, and is titled “It’s Water We Do Best”. As a Midlands Area Committee Member, I am especially proud that the Conference is in our area this year, and having been privileged to see just a snippet of the programme, I can assure you this year’s Conference promises to build on the success of last year’s excellent Conference in Cambridge and be bigger and better than ever. Please have a look on the Institute of Water website for more information, including the list of prestigious speakers from our Industry and beyond, and information on how to book. I’d also recommend booking early, as the legendary Saint Gobain night and the President’s Dinner & Awards always sell out!

One of the things I believe passionately in is that the Institute of Water supports and serves everyone involved in the Industry no matter what level they are or what type of work they undertake. The Water Industry is in a time of great change as competition arrives and climate change becomes ever more real. These are just two examples of the challenges and opportunities facing our Industry both today and tomorrow, and as such, we need to ensure the Institute continues to serve and support its members through this change. This may mean adapting, where necessary, to focus on new priorities and interests. A key example of

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Features

this would be around Customer Service – once this was only something that was associated with call centre employees, but now everyone working in the Water Industry engages with customers in some way, and it is at the core of what we do every working day. We want to ensure that the Institute reflects this, and any other areas important to our members, so over the next six to nine months, I will be undertaking a review entitled “An Institute for All” to ensure we offer something for everyone in our Industry. So if you have any ideas of things you’d like to see the Institute providing or supporting, please let me know – Natalie.

Akroyd@stservices.com.

So please enjoy this edition of the Journal, and I look forward to seeing many of you in Birmingham in May at the Conference.

Natalie Akroyd

Head of Coal Authority Contract, Severn Trent Services Vice National Chair, Institute of Water

12-14 Energy 48-49 Diversity 60-61 International Case Studies 64-65 Innovation Awards 71 SDGs 78-80 Skills for the Future 84-86 Outcome Delivery Incentives

Regulars 4-5 Members Update

6-7 Science News 8 Engineering News

10-11 Environment News 15 WaterAid 74-77 Rising Stars 90-102 Area News

Institute of Water HQ: 4 Carlton Court, Team Valley, Gateshead, Tyne & Wear NE11 0AZ Website: www.instituteofwater.org.uk President: Peter Simpson Chairperson: Ian Limb Chief Executive: Lynn Cooper Editorial, Marketing & Communications Manager: Dan Barton Tel: 0191 422 0088 Fax: 0191 422 0087 Email: dan@instituteofwater.org.uk Advertising: David Lancaster Tel: 0845 887 3829 Email: david.lancaster@distinctivegroup.co.uk Designed and produced by: Distinctive Publishing Tel: 0845 884 2383 Email: production@distinctivegroup.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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HONOUR FOR INSTITUTE OF WATER MEMBER AND FORMER PORTSMOUTH WATER DIRECTOR MR FRED BAILEY In a ceremony on Wednesday 6 January at the D-Day Museum, Portsmouth, three Normandy veterans were presented with the Legion d'honneur by the French Honorary Consul, Captain Francois Jean, in front of an audience of friends and family. The Legion d'Honneur is France's highest decoration.

The photograph shows the three veterans (left to right): Eddie Wallace, who served with the Honourable Artillery Company and landed on Juno Beach on D-Day; Harry Marrington, a gunner on board the Royal Naval Patrol Service ship HMS Olvina which escorted US troops to Omaha Beach on D-Day; Fred Bailey, who served with Special Operations Executive and landed behind enemy lines in the south of France as part of the Jedburghs, who worked with the French Resistance.

IWATERCYCLE 2016

JET AIRE APPOINT NEW COMPLIANCE MANAGER

Keith Ferris and Paul Spiers – Commercial Director Keith Ferris on the left and New Compliance Manager Paul Spiers on the right

Jet Aire Drain Care has employed experienced Health and Safety professional, Paul Spiers, in the position of Compliance Manager, which is a new role to the Company, as they look to improve their in-house health and safety offering.

an exciting employment for both himself and the company. Jet Aire has grown hugely in the past 18 months, obtaining contracts with some major companies across Yorkshire and the North East of England.”

Paul comes with a wealth of knowledge having worked as Site Services Plant Manager within BASF, the world's leading chemical company, based at the 58 acre Bradford site.

“I believe we can become one of the leading drainage experts in the chemical industry and that is where Paul’s experience and knowledge will be a vital part of securing any future contracts.”

Speaking about Paul’s appointment, Commercial Director Keith Ferris said: “Paul joining Jet Aire is

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Northern area committee member Paul Henderson has unusual plans for the trip to this year’s national conference in Birmingham, he is cycling around 350 miles from the Scottish Borders!

Paul will be leaving Panton McLeod HQ in Galashiels on Sunday 8th May, and hopes to arrive 4 days later in time for the Institute of Water AGM on 11th May. The trip will raise money for three charities, Wateraid, Coco and Cancer Connections. Paul would welcome any company on the trip whether for 1 or 80 miles, but would love sponsorship even more.

For more information visit: www.virginmoneygiving.com/team/IWaterCycle

MEMBERSUPDATE

OBITUARY Andrew Swift 1953-2016

With much sorrow I report that Andrew Swift, former Hon. Treasurer and National Chair, passed away in the early hours of 7th February at the age of 62.

Andrew was a Fellow Member and registered Incorporated Engineer who joined in May 1982.

In July 1993 Andrew represented South Wales Area at a Council meeting in place of their regular representative. At that meeting it was reported we were looking for someone to fill the role of Hon. Treasurer and by November that year, Andrew was in post.

Andrew held the role for six years and his presentations of the accounts to members became a highlight of the AGM. Andrew was a great help to me in my early years at IWO (as we were then); initially on financial issues in his role as Honorary Treasurer then on policy and staff matters as he progressed to National Chair.

IWO had been through difficult years prior to my arrival and during that time Andrew and Jo Parker (National Chair) started trying to implement a tighter reporting regime. Without going into detail, this uncovered a number of shortcomings and Jo has confirmed that the Institute owes Andrew a huge debt of gratitude for his thoroughness. Jo also said Andrew was a huge support to her, maintaining confidence in Jo throughout her time as Chair.

Andrew was the last person to hold the role of Hon. Treasurer. Having been selected by Tim Boldero to succeed him as National Chair, Andrew questioned the need for an Hon. Treasurer, given that we had established an Audit Committee the previous year and had appointed Internal Auditors. Andrew presented his last accounts to members at the AGM in Kenilworth in 1999 before being elected as Chair at the same meeting.

Andrew served as National Chair in 1999-2000 and one further year as Past-Chair before leaving Council in 2001 to serve for on the Audit Committee for a year. Andrew also sat on the Membership & Training Committee for the two years 1999-2001 and was a director of Eurocom, set up to organise and run the Annual Conference & Exhibition but now dormant, from 1994 to the present day. Andrew also prolonged the life of the National Drainlaying Competition, set up by Stan Wardle in 1998, by twisting the arms of several Welsh Water contractors and persuading them to enter.

Andrew worked at Welsh Water for over 25 years, originally joining the Distribution Drawing Office at Station Buildings, Newport in the UK Division, of the then Welsh National Water Development Authority. Prior to this he had worked for Severn Trent Water. Andrew went on to undertake a number of senior roles in Welsh Water culminating in Capital Delivery Manager. In 2005 Andrew joined Laing O’Rourke and became their lead on the Section 19 water mains refurbishment programme in Wales. He retired to West Wales in 2010 and leaves his wife Anne and children Tom and Lucy: may they take comfort and pride in all that Andrew did for the Institute of Water.

I was unable to attend Andrew’s funeral but I am grateful to Dave Bayliss, Fiona Jehu and Mike & Adrienne Walsh for representing the Institute.

Many former Presidents and Chairs who served during Andrew’s time on Council paid tribute to him: I will leave you with a few of their quotes.

Lynn Cooper Chief Executive

The Institute was, and probably still is, epitomised by people like Andrew professional, down to earth, hardworking and totally committed to his water company and to IWO. He was a genuinely motivated character who moved the institution on another critical step in its history. He will be missed.

I am so sorry to hear that Andrew has passed away. I am sure that your tribute will reflect the important contribution that Andrew made in the development of the Institute.

Very sorry to hear news. He was a good servant of IWO. Thank you for letting me know the sad news about Andrew. He certainly made a major contribution to IWO for which I know many of us were very grateful.

Not seen Andrew for a while but he was always a stalwart and brilliant supporter of IWO even during his spells of illness.

I will always have very fond memories of Andrew who gave so much to IWO as was.

To die so young it reminds us all of our own mortality and how precious the time we have on this planet is.

So sad to hear the news about Andrew. He was a true professional and a great credit to the Institution and the wider industry. I can picture his wry smile as I write. Our thoughts are with his wife and family.

ARTICLE ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

It's nearly Conference time

The Winter 2015 edition of the Journal carried an article from Dwr Cymru Welsh Water titled ‘Cryptosporidium: The approach to the challenge in Wales’. This version of the article

See page 63 for more details

omitted acknowledgement for Foundation for Water Research, an organisation which made a valuable contribution to the content of the article.

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NEW SCIENCE REGISTRANTS Registered Science Technicians Carla Robinson

Sabine Bumeistere

Lab Technician, Anglian Water

Lab Technician, Anglian Water

When I was offered the opportunity to apply for Registered Science Technician I initially felt a little daunted by it, although I have worked in laboratories for many years all my previous qualifications are not scientifically based and it has been a long time since I have concentrated on gaining any new ones. However, once I had pinpointed the areas I was going to focus on and built a basic framework of my application I found writing it a genuinely enjoyable and rewarding experience.

“I was strongly encouraged by my line manager to work towards becoming a Registered Science Technician. She explained that within the water industry it is a nationally recognised qualification and in the future might even become a requirement for all laboratory technicians.

The process of working towards Registered Science Technician status has been really interesting for me; it has given me the chance to fully reflect on my personal and professional experiences and achievements. It is easy to take for granted what you do on a day to day basis and overlook just how much you have developed and progressed over time. I found writing my application a great way to demonstrate my skills, knowledge and scientific understanding.

Acquiring a professional qualification as a result has given me an extended sense of pride in the work I do and a feeling of accomplishment that it is now officially recognised.

Receiving RsciTech certificate made me feel a sense of accomplishment. I see it as an opportunity to demonstrate and talk about the tasks I undertake on day to day basis and the skills I utilise to complete them.

When I was working on my application I was considering all the tasks I undertake in my working life as a laboratory technician. What surprised me most was that some of the little tasks, such as extending the shelf life of a stock solution, saw me develop my communication skills as well as engage my analytical mind - not something I would usually think twice about. I am happy to have gone through this process as it has left me with a greater appreciation for my role as a laboratory technician.”

Magdalena Jedrzejak Laura Grout Lab Technician, Anglian Water I applied for the Registered Science Technician award as part of my commitment to professional development, and as a way for me to show that I am a competent technician. I am still in the process of completing a degree, so the RSciTech application was a great opportunity for me to demonstrate my knowledge and ability in another format.

Working through my application has encouraged me to perform better in my role in order to give the best possible examples of my experience.

Gaining this qualification has given me more confidence in my abilities at work and I am proud of my achievement. It also looks good on my CV and will give me a better chance when applying for new roles, as it is a widely recognised award.

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Lab Technician, Anglian Water I applied for Registered Science Technician as a part of my CPD. it is way for additional qualification and confirmation of my knowledge.

I’m working for Anglian Water since 2011, as a Laboratory technician in Soils and Sludge and now in Wastewater Lab. I have got degree from Environmental Engineering on foreign University, RSciTech make it easier to compere and prove my professional technical skills.

RSciTech application was a good opportunity to review knowledge from University and experience in the Lab. During application process I found my strong areas but also ones which I could improve to become better in my ‘day-to-day’ work.

I think that Registered Science Technician is a good start to develop my career. Now I would like to carry on my CPD and also start working on Registered Scientist.

JACKY ATKINSON JOINS THE SCIENCE PANEL Jacky Atkinson, Acting Deputy Chief Inspector with the Drinking Water Inspectorate (DWI), has recently joined the Institute of Water’s Science Panel.

Jacky qualified as a microbiologist through the Institute of Biology, and had a long career with a major water company working in drinking water quality, initially as an analyst in a microbiology laboratory.

Jacky then became involved in water quality compliance and regulation, and then worked as a water treatment process scientist. This was followed by spells in operational audit, risk management and economic regulation. Jacky joined the Drinking Water Inspectorate in 2010, becoming a Principal Inspector in 2014.

Jacky became a Chartered Scientist with the Institute in March 2015, and since January 2016 has been Acting Deputy Chief Inspector of the DWI. Jacky was nominated for membership of the Science Panel by Marcus Rink, the new Chief Inspector of Drinking Water.

The Science Panel is one of three professional registration panels, each chaired by the respective Vice President.

The Panels comprise senior industry experts in science, engineering and the environment, and their role is to: n Receive recommendations from assessors on outcomes from Professional Reviews and make decisions on all applications for registration, including eligibility for membership. n Ensure an adequate pool of trained assessors. n Provide a forum for consultation/ discussion on all matters of interest with regard to the particular discipline.

Following her appointment Jacky said, ‘I feel honoured to be part of the Institute of Water’s Science Panel, and am really looking forward to getting involved in such an important part of our governance around professional registration.’

SCIENCENEWS

Chartered Scientists James Keeley Solution Engineer, Asset Management, Yorkshire Water After graduating from the Stream EngD programme and joining Yorkshire Water,

Krishna Morker Water Quality Team Leader, Yorkshire Water I joined the Water Industry in 2010 as a Technician in the Developer Services Team at Yorkshire Water. My personal ambition was to move in to the Water Quality Team, as I wished to work as a Scientist, given my previous education and training in the Sciences (PhD in Plant Molecular Biology and BSc (Hons) in Biological Sciences from Lancaster University). I spent two years

Ray Butler Operational Scientist, Anglian Water After graduating in 1997 with a BSc (Hons) in Biology, no particular career path sprang to mind. For the next few years I split my time between Masters Qualifications, event lighting and sound, and an unexpectedly long time working in administration and delivery of student accommodation. Over this period I gained knowledge and experience in the unlikely mix of Environmental Science, plant genetics, how to design and control an expensive lighting rig, illumination of (occasionally chart-topping) bands, customer service, people management, finance and how people from around the world treat their homes! However, although all these

accreditation as a Chartered Scientist with the Institute of Water was an obvious next step in my professional development. It has given me a clear framework to develop my skillset around and a support network to help mentor and guide me towards my career objectives.

Many of my colleagues and partner colleagues have professional accreditations, so becoming a CSci has allowed my competencies and skills as a scientist to be recognized on a level standing to other disciplines. The assessment

working as a Technician, carrying out a parttime HNC in Civil Engineering to complement my role until a vacancy became available in 2012, and I was succesful in securing my role as a Water Quality Scientist.

Having spent a year working as an Operational Water Quality Scientist, I learned of the chartership process at the Institute of Water and was immediately taken with the idea of being recognised as a competent Scientist by an independent external body. As I had only been working in the Industry for three years, I spent some time reading about the Chartership process and the requirements for achieveing the status. I commenced a Continuous Professional Development record which really helped me to understand and

skills have proven beneficial at some point, in none of these fields could I find something that interested me as a career. It wasn’t until an advert for postgraduate study at an institution I had never heard of, in a department I had no idea would exist, that I started to determine my future career path.

That University was Cranfield University, and the department the Department of Water Sciences. After applying for and being accepted to study for a PhD, I spent the next three years collecting and analysing water samples, operating pilot plants and generally learning about the water industry.

I finished writing up in 2005 (graduating the next year) and quickly managed to gain a role within Anglian Water, in the Regional Quality team. Ten years down the line I’m on my fifth scientific role within Anglian, having gained experience in most aspects of water abstraction, treatment, storage delivery and customer needs. I have also completed an

process was enjoyable. The conversation with my examiners helped remind me of the roles and responsibilities that professional scientists have, to help the water industry meet its challenges.

I would encourage any scientists working within the industry to consider the benefits that a scientific registration with the Institute of Water could offer them.

identify my personal weaknesses, limitations (and strengths) which I soon began to address with short, medium and long term goals and ambitions.

Being succesful in the viva and receiving the Chartership status is an invaluable achievement and something which I am immensely proud of.

I found the process inspiring and motivational; looking back at my previous achievements and how they have shaped my career to date; with experts in the Industry validating these has been an incredibly rewarding process. I would strongly encourage all Scientists working within the Industry to apply for Chartership in order to learn more about themselves and use the status to empower and influence their future career prospects.

extremely useful and enjoyable 7 months as a DWI secondee, which really opened my eyes to the wider industry.

As part of my continuing professional development, I was encouraged to apply for Chartership in the guise of Chartered Scientist.

Although making the decision whether to apply is easier when your Line Manager at the time is on the Institute Board of Directors and an enthusiastic proponent of the scheme, attaining Chartership status also made sense as a professional benchmark. It demonstrates that you have attained and are working at a high professional level within the water industry, and underlines just how much you have been involved with over the years. I hope to carry on learning and progressing, developing contacts and gaining experience in my field of choice.

Being a Chartered Scientist should work to my advantage in these goals, helping me to stand out from the crowd and show my ongoing commitment to water science and water quality.

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ENGINEERINGNEWS

Chartered Engineers welcome…

The Institute of Water is appealing for Chartered Engineers to come forward and become Assessors. No matter when or where you attained your registration, if you’re a Chartered Engineer then we’d love to hear from you!

Richard Anderson, Veolia Water is a Chartered Engineer and Assessor with the Institute of Water.

Speaking about his experience he said: I have been a Chartered Engineer for nearly 20 years and have mentored many Engineering Trainees over the years towards their own Professional Registration. Volunteering to become an Assessor felt like a natural progressive step for me. I really value my volunteer role; it gives back to my profession, is a great way to network with other water professionals and is a great source of furthering my Engineering outlook and knowledge. It also supports my adherence with the Engineering Council’s Code of Conduct

which obliges members to “Encourage others to advance their learning and competence”. I would definitely recommend other CEng registrants to get involved in the assessment process, even if you became chartered prior to joining the Institute of Water. It’s an enjoyable way to progress your own professional development.

If you’re a Chartered Engineer and you’re interested in becoming an Assessor then please contact Sarah Dunn, Professional Registration Coordinator, Institute of Water via 0191 422 0088 or sarah@instituteofwater.org.uk

New Engineering Registrants Engineering Technicians Jonathan Davies

Zachary Alexander

Project Co-ordinator, Dwr Cymru Welsh Water

Civil Engineer, WRc plc

As a project coordinator covering the South West of Wales it is my role to deliver a variety of new schemes, asset improvements and maintenance on everything from service pipes to trunk mains, pumping stations and a variety of sewer work.

Having been in the industry for over 10 years I felt it was time to gain some sort of recognition for the work I do and enjoy. I attended an IOW awards ceremony last year and decided that this is something I could achieve so I joined up. I completed a portfolio on several jobs that I have done and gained the Eng Tech qualification. I feel this is a good stepping stone to being recognised in the water industry.

If you are at the start of your engineering career, or in a role where you have responsibility mainly over your own work, obtaining EngTech status could supply useful recognition of your professional ability and commitment. It can tell clients and colleagues that the holder has demonstrated that they take personal responsibility for their work and can ensure things are done to a good standard.

Having a professional status also shows a commitment to good citizenship. It means that the holder agrees to abide by a code of professional ethics and acts responsibly towards other people and our environment.

Good business depends on trust, and to demonstrate achievement of the EngTech requirements helps to build that trust with your professional network. It can do your career good and bring benefits to your company.

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SENIOR ENVIRONMENTAL REGULATOR JOINS THE INSTITUTE OF WATER if both parties understand what the other is seeking to achieve. And with a background in wastewater management – Paul was at Anglian Water until 2010 – he’s well placed to help achieve that.

At its meeting on 7 December the Institute of Water Membership & Standards Committee approved an application for Fellowship from Paul Hickey, Deputy Director Water Quality at the Environment Agency. Nothing too unusual in such an approval (but well done, Paul!) but it marked an important milestone. Paul is the first senior person from one of the environmental regulators (Environment Agency, Scottish Environment Protection Agency, Natural Resources Wales and DoE Northern Ireland) to join the Institute.

Now, if you’ve never met an environmental regulator you might have an image of them in your head, as a sort of environmental policeman whose sole aim is to catch you out.

After all, these are the people who set the standards for effluent discharges and water abstraction, and who hold water companies (and everybody else) to account if they are not met.

However, Paul doesn’t come from that inaccurately stereotypical mould. He takes the view that across the water industry we all

share the same goals: safe, secure supplies of drinking water and to leave the environment in better shape than we found it. So, although sometimes Paul will need to have a difficult conversation when necessary, he sees the relationship between regulator and industry as a professional one that will be more productive

Paul uses the example of water quality modelling to illustrate what he means. “We should be able to agree on the models that are used for decision making and, hence the outputs from them. The discussion then can be about what it is that needs to be done to meet the water quality objectives in the river”. His aim is that water companies will perform better when they have a better awareness of the priorities of the regulator, and the approach to problem solving that they would like to see.

“Sometimes I encounter the perception that we just want to see tried and trusted solutions to deliver outcomes. But I am keen to help to stimulate innovation – these might be around catchment approaches or a more flexible permitting solution. Key to turning these ideas into reality are open relationships and mutual understanding.”

I am keen to help to stimulate innovation – these might be around catchment approaches or a more flexible permitting solution.

New Environment Registrants Chartered Environmentalist Rachael Picken Senior Policy Advisor, Scottish Water Rachael Picken is a Senior Policy Advisor at Scottish Water, where she has previously held roles as Project Manager in Business Development and on the Management Trainee programme.

Prior to Scottish Water Rachael worked at the Professional Institution the Royal Meteorological Society as the Interim Head of Education and Public Engagement Manager for two years, after graduating with a BSc. Geography and an MSc. in Applied Meteorology.

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Rachael achieved Chartership in November 2015, after a long interest in sustainability issues, and previous membership of the Royal Meteorological Society since 2007.

‘The achievement of Chartership status reflects a valuable mark of excellence across all disciplines, and I view this as an aspiration for those aiming to lead in their sector. It is also great to have a recognition of my judgement, drive and delivery of outcomes from my five years’ experience. I am looking forward to continuing to expand my knowledge of the industry and driving sustainability issues forwards’

ENVIRONMENTNEWS

RIVER BASIN MANAGEMENT PLANS – MORE THAN JUST PLANS FOR PLANNERS You wait six years for a River Basin Management Plan and then 15 come along all at once. That’s the way the Water Framework Directive (WFD) works, with statutory timescales for the production, consultation and publishing of plans that Member States have to adhere to. But the content – what they mean for everybody who works in water - is much more important than the process.

The Plans (11 in England and Wales, one in Scotland and three in Northern Ireland) have just been published and mark the start of the second cycle of the WFD for the period 2015-2021. They set out the state of the water environment and the pressures that are preventing it from reaching the target objective of supporting flourishing ecosystems – so-called ‘Good Ecological Status’.

The pressures include effluent discharges and diffuse pollution impacting on water quality, weirs and other obstructions preventing fish movement, engineering works that have turned a natural river into an artificial one, changes to flow or level, and invasive and non-native species replacing the local bugs and plants. Many of these pressures are the legacy of historic attitudes to land and water management and are proving difficult and expensive to tackle.

It’s not all bad news, however. Although the water environment is severely impacted in many places, particularly in England where only 17% of water bodies are at Good Status or better, there is a great deal of work under way to tackle the problems. Water companies are typically one of the dominant influences in a river catchment in terms of abstraction and discharge, and increasingly they are recognising that a healthy water environment can mean lower drinking water and sewage effluent treatment costs, as well as more secure and resilient supplies. The challenge is how to get everybody else to do their bit as well.

Most catchments now have active groups which aim to bring together everybody with an interest in their river and coordinate action to deliver the WFD objectives. Water companies’ investment is vital to much of this, but a central element is collaboration between land managers and water managers. Agricultural diffuse pollution – the runoff of sediment, fertiliser and pesticides from farmland – is one of the main causes of rivers

failing their objectives, but can be addressed in many cases by relatively minor changes to farming practice. Increasingly, different sorts of conversations are taking place and partnerships established to deliver the WFD outcomes through a catchment-based approach.

‘So what does all this mean for me?’ you may be asking. It’s good to know that the water companies are playing their part (and also recognising that they have more to do) and that others are taking action as well. But if you’re reading this then you’re interested in water and you’ll understand just how challenging these problems are to solve. Each government and environmental regulator has published the plans on their website, and you can find detailed information about the status and the pressures for the rivers where you work, live or

like to visit. And as a water professional you’ve probably got some ideas about how to tackle the problems that are set out in your local plan. The Water Framework Directive and those involved in delivering it aim for an inclusive approach to water management. Innovative thinking and action has the potential to deliver in ways that traditional approaches cannot, so don’t hold back on sharing your ideas. The WFD might be best known as a set of plans, which can make it tempting to just leave it to the planners, but really it’s about pooling ideas and collaborative action by everybody who has the opportunity to make a difference. Over to you!

Ian Barker Vice-President Environment

Although the water environment is severely impacted in many places, particularly in England where only 17% of water bodies are at Good Status or better, there is a great deal of work under way to tackle the problems.

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Anglian Water’s approach: the energy and water industry in collaboration With over 20% of the region below sea-level, Anglian Water’s staff are never far from a reminder of how climate change may impact on their day to day operations. This awareness has driven them to set stretching targets for their operational carbon.

Currently the company imports around 650GWh of electricity per year costing in the region of £67million. But the ever-looming capacity crunch and dwindling electricity supply margins are serious considerations when planning for the future. Last year’s National Grid winter outlook confirmed concerns of spare generating capacity being as low as 2.1%. Tightening environmental regulations resulting in the closure of noncompliant power generation sites are a major factor leading to this lack of capacity.

In order for the UK to continue the closure of coal powered stations without the risk of introducing negative capacity or inhibiting growth, large electricity consumers like Anglian Water must minimise their impact particularly at peak demand periods in order to obtain best value from existing infrastructure.

Sustainability

Affordibility

Low carbon?

Low Emissions?

Low life cycle?

Over what time?

Total bill is rate + use Grid is half of electricity bill what is it for?

The Energy Trilemma - We face a ‘Trilemma’ of objective

Making energy, saving energy One of the ways Anglian Water has approached these challenges is by developing a company-wide demand management strategy which includes peak-lopping, Triad avoidance, balancing services and increased embedded generation.

The company has invested heavily in renewable generation in the form of biogas, and this is supported by wind and solar energy production.

With the in-house trialling, development and roll out of the unique Heating, Pasteurisation and Hydrolisis (HpH) process and with support from the company’s CHP maintenance team, Anglian Water has exceeded its generation targets and achieved a three-fold increase in CHP output since 2010.

“By investing in additional capacity and changing the way we manage our CHP sites, with dedicated local teams of technicians looking after them, we’ve been able to triple the amount of energy we produce over the last five years,’’ says Matt Pluke, Anglian Water’s Energy Manager.”

The capacity of generators for STOR (Short Term Operating Reserve) has also been tripled since the start of AMP 5. The financial benefits of STOR and TRIAD management have enabled Anglian Water

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Security of supply Interconnectors Trading Balancing, markets

to carry out a greater level of maintenance than before which results in increased asset knowledge and reliability, as Randy Cook, energy champion and works technician at the West Pinchbeck Water Treatment Works in Lincolnshire explains.

“As well as the financial benefits, our generators receives enhanced maintenance to ensure availability for TRIAD, STOR and site mains failure so it reduces the need for test runs,” he says.

“The synchronising capability of the generator also means that site down time is kept to a minimum on mains power failure and electrical maintenance.”

As part of its company-wide strategy, Anglian Water is developing an Energy Efficiency Management system for dynamic monitoring of assets. Knowing exactly how much energy is

used by each pump, tank and process on a site is crucial in enabling better decisions to be made about future demand management and efficiency projects.

But looking at how assets are used is only part of the picture. How they are designed has a massive influence on the resulting carbon over an asset’s operational life. At Bedford Water Recycling Centre, for example, with intelligent design for additional treatment capacity, after fitting a high efficiency aeration and Integrated Fixed-Film Activated Sludge (IFAS) system there has been a 170% saving on operational carbon whilst also satisfying the growth demand.

Demand Side Energy Management The upward trend of network charges during peak times offers an incentive to industrial users to

FEATURE: ENERGY 3

1

2 reduce their usage during peak demand; therefore minimising energy consumption and flattening the demand across the year. By effectively altering their energy demand profile, large energy users can help make better use of existing energy infrastructure and avoid the need for capital investment in the generation and distribution network.

A recent UKWIR report indicated that if Demand Side Energy Management (DSEM) was applied across the industry asset base in England and Wales, it could yield savings in excess of £84 million. Having a mature DSEM strategy, Anglian Water’s energy team have seen these savings being made first hand.

Collaborative projects and pilot studies give both the energy industry and the water industry an indication of how innovation in this area will help them achieve their strategic goals. Anglian Water has been involved in two trials in this area with extremely positive results - Project FALCON (Flexible Approaches for Low Carbon Optimised

1

TRIAD control Heigham WTW

2

CHP Plant (Great Billing)

3

CHP Plant Team (Great Billing)

Networks) and more recently a Demand Side Balancing Reserve (DSBR) pilot trial.

when the energy and water industries come together and apply innovation to find a solution.

Project FALCON was a collaborative study carried out with Western Power Distribution to explore how electricity consumers can manage their demand to reduce the need for reinforcement of the electricity network. The DSBR trial further investigates the role of demand side assets in securing supply. Companies that have signed up to the scheme will, when called upon, reduce their power demand and start generation between 4pm and 8pm during the winter weekdays.

David Preston, Senior Account Manager for the National Grid, says: “National Grid very much welcomes and values the participation of Anglian Water in the DSBR programme which is an innovative solution to managing the mid decade electricity margin challenge through deployment of demand side assets.

“If we needed to swing into action to answer a DSBR call, each generator would first satisfy the power demand of the site, with any excess power exported onto the grid,” says Ed Knox, Energy Supply and Demand Specialist at Anglian Water.

“This set-up enables us to respond to DSBR events without having any impact on the processes at its water and water recycling sites.”

“Central to the success of the service has been effective collaboration with all participants throughout the end to end process.”

For Energy Manager Matt Pluke, the success of such projects only serves to increase the drive for more collaboration and innovation in the future.

“We know that our collaborative approach to managing energy and carbon works and I’m really excited to see just how far we can go to deliver for the company, the region and the planet.”

The project illustrates the value to both sides

By investing in additional capacity and changing the way we manage our CHP sites, with dedicated local teams of technicians looking after them, we’ve been able to triple the amount of energy we produce over the last five years.

Matt Pluke, Anglian Water’s Energy Manager

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FEATURE: ENERGY

A user’s guide to the carbon footprint Thames Water is committed to an ambitious emissions reduction target by 2020. Here, the company’s carbon analyst Dan Shockley explains where these emissions come from.

It’s a phrase with which we’re all very familiar, but how many of us know exactly what a carbon footprint is?

In short, it’s the measurement of the total amount of greenhouse gases (inclusive of carbon dioxide, methane and nitrous oxide) produced to directly and indirectly support Thames Water’s activities, usually expressed in equivalent tons of carbon dioxide equivalent (CO2e).

The company has committed to a 34% reduction on 1990 levels by 2020, and now measures carbon performance separately for both the clean and wastewater business.

The businesses also have their own reduction targets to meet throughout the current AMP period.

In 2009, Thames Water had a highly ambitious target of a 20% reduction in 1990 emission levels by 2015.

Although we achieved a significant reduction, we didn’t quite meet this target. This was for the most part due to the timing of a number of projects coming online and the short-term reverse in trend in the increase in the carbon intensity of grid electricity due to the dash for coal during 2014-15. This meant that we ended the AMP5 period with a footprint of 823.9 kt CO2e when we had aimed for a footprint of 643kt CO2e. This means we now have a bigger challenge in reaching our 2020 goal, although at the halfway point of year one in AMP6, our half-year footprinting exercise has demonstrated progress has already been made.

Greenhouse gases have been known for some time to contribute towards the more rapid climate change that is currently being experienced around the world.

As an industry we are also more affected by this and are more vulnerable to the risks of increased droughts and floods.

On a global scale, and since the end of the 19th century, a strong correlation has been observed between increasing atmospheric levels of greenhouse gases, rapidly increasing energy demands and rapidly increasing consumption of fossil fuels.

For the most part, this remains true today as we continue to grow as a global economy and still

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rely heavily on energy, very often from fossil fuel sources, as the life blood of our businesses.

This is certainly true of Thames Water, although unlike many others in other sectors of the economy, we have a greater opportunity to mitigate this.

Energy accounts for the second largest operational cost to Thames Water after staff payments, and amounted to nearly £110m last year. The vast majority of this energy comes from grid electricity and, due to this, in year one of AMP6 it is predicted to account for more than 90% of the operational footprint for clean water and nearly 60% of the operational footprint for waste water.

Clearly the strategy behind reducing carbon emissions in the clean water business resides around increased energy efficiency and reduced grid energy consumption. A robust and comprehensive programme of projects is in place to achieve this, and has been committed to with the help of eight²O with some projects in the current AMP period.

The waste water business presents a slightly more interesting and complex picture. While 60% of carbon emissions come from grid electricity consumption, a further 7% come from direct combustion of fossil fuels, such as diesel for onsite generation. A further 25% of emissions come directly from process emissions associated with the treatment of sewage sludge.

In 2015-16, Thames Water is predicted to treat more than 380 thousand tonnes of sludge with carbon emissions of 108 kt CO2e associated with it.

This, however, is not a story with a mucky ending.

More than 75.7 thousand tonnes of sludge was used last year to generate renewable energy at 24 sewage treatment works across the Thames Water portfolio. In total, Thames Water has more than 57MW of sludge-powered accredited energy capacity in addition to other renewable energy sources.

In the first half of 2015-16, more than 96GWh of electricity was generated from sludge, mitigating a grid import which would have incurred an additional 51.8 kt of carbon to the predicted end of year one footprint for the waste water business.

This energy-from-sludge capacity is expected to be greatly enhanced throughout the AMP6 period, as we complete the commissioning of seven thermal hydrolysis sludge processing plants along with a number of programmes to install additional CHP (combined heat and power) units and upgrade existing units. This will provide an additional 40 MW of capacity.

The good news doesn’t stop there. During the winter of 2015-16, we expect to start importing energy at Beckton Sewage Treatment Works from BEL (Beckton Energy Limited).

BEL will generate its energy as part of the BEL renewable energy scheme. It is anticipated that the facility will able to generate between 8 and 10MWh of electricity, which is more than enough to meet the grid import requirements of Beckton STW, one of the largest sewage treatment works in Europe.

To put this into context, this has the potential to reduce 16% of the waste water business’s grid electricity consumption, with a potential carbon saving of around 42 ktCO2e.

Clearly, this is only part of the picture, and a lot more is still needed if we are to meet our challenging 2020 target. Everyone in Thames Water has a part to play in delivering this, from the site manager who manages an energy budget, to the customer call centre worker who can take the decision to turn off a computer screen monitor when not in use. Half the battle, however, is understanding where emissions actually come from.

On the whole, carbon savings are very closely linked to energy and financial savings, meaning that success in this area offers a good insight into business resource efficiency and resilience.

There are undoubtedly further opportunities yet to be discovered, though, and this again is something that everyone can help with, to make us a more sustainable business.

This article first appeared in the January edition of Source, the Thames Water magazine

WATERAID

INNOVATION IS KEY TO REACHING EVERYONE, EVERYWHERE WITH SAFE WATER

Ron working with other trainees to install the pump in Bilwi, Nicaragua.

Credit: WaterAid/Jordi Ruiz Cirera

Jose Luis, founder of the AMEC training program. Credit: WaterAid/Jordi Ruiz Cirera

In the face of global challenges like rapid urbanisation, population growth and climate change, new approaches are needed to reach those living without safe water and toilets. Innovation – one of the core values in WaterAid’s new global strategy – is key to developing new water and sanitation technologies, to finding new ways of helping people exercise their democratic rights, and for ensuring the needs of the most marginalised people are met.

As one training scheme in Bilwi, Nicaragua demonstrates, taking a new approach really can transform lives - not only improving access to safe water and toilets, but helping young people to turn their backs on gang life.

Water supplies in Bilwi are unreliable. Even the households that are connected to a piped supply have limited access. Installing good quality pumps and toilets is expensive and out of reach for many. Working with local partners, WaterAid is helping families to get their own facilities, and is giving young people in the community the skills to build them.

The AMEC technical programme offers training to young people from neighbourhoods where opportunities are limited. Many don’t have work and some have been involved in gangs and petty crime. Trainees learn how to build and maintain wells, install rope pumps and toilets and fit septic tanks. They are also given the skills they need to run their own plumbing businesses.

Ron, 21 years old, was involved in a local gang before he joined the scheme. He believes the

training has changed the direction of his life and opened up opportunities for his future.

“So far I have built four wells - three of them by myself. In Bilwi where I live, we don’t have wells like this but I am considering building one because the water in the well at my house is contaminated. I truly want to build one of these.”

“Before the project I didn’t do anything much.

I didn’t work and I was just hanging around.

But now I feel like I am serving the community and also I get income for my family. When we finish the work and show it to the people, we feel amazing. They didn’t believe that we could do this kind of job. Afterwards we feel pretty good.”

“The training will help me a lot in the future.

Maybe I can have my own business doing this.”

Over the next month WaterAid will be showcasing stories of innovation and entrepreneurship from water and sanitation projects around the world.

Visit www.wateraid.org/innovation or follow @LauraWaterAid on Twitter and @wateraid on Instagram.

Ron, 21, building a rope pump in Bilwi, Nicaragua

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Investigation into the Deragger II’s Energy Savings and other Benefits The Deragger II product has been successfully installed in multiple sites throughout Scottish Water to eliminate pump blockages caused by wet wipes and other non-dispersible products. No thorough tracking of the measurable benefits other than blockage reduction have been taken. The purpose of this paper is to demonstrate the other measurable benefits of the product.

Background

Outlet Flowmeter

The Deragger II was first installed back in April 2011 at Ross point SPS in Fife. Since then around 100 other sites within Scottish water have been retrofitted successfully with the Deragger II. The product has eliminated the blockages at all of these sites saving huge amounts on reactive callouts to unblock pumps.

In Early 2014 Deragger II’s were installed on a trial basis and jointly between Scottish Water Energy Team and ID Systems at this and another 4 sites. This was with the intention of establishing their effectiveness as a means of reducing energy, along with preventing pumps from choking. The Deragger II’s were set up to monitor and data log only. No blockage prevention was turned on at this point.

The Site Annfield SPS is the main pumping station in Leith, Edinburgh. The effluent is pumped from the wet well to Seafield STW. There is a very flat sewer collection network due to the low-lying drainage network at close to sea water level. The flat sewer is conducive to the settlement of rag in the sewer followed by wash in. Furthermore, SW customers in the area are at risk of flooding should the sewer become backed up due to the low lying nature of their basements. The station consists of 2 off 100kW Flygt 3312 N Pumps fitted in a dry well setup delivering around 260L/s of flow. The Pumps are controlled in a duty standby configuration from an MCC housed above the dry well. The pumps are started via Ralspeed Soft Starters. The flow was measured via an ABB Magmaster Magnetic Flowmeter. This outputs a 4-20mA signal that correlates to L/s. This 4-20mA signal is wired to telemetry and logged on open enterprise.

This 20% direct reduction on the energy bill needed to be tied into the amount of effluent pumped. The flow data recorded every minute on Scottish Waters open enterprise telemetry system gives the following data.

This site was selected as it attracted high levels of callouts (around 1-2 per week) due to blockages

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caused by ragging. The Pumps were also of large size that any percentage of energy savings obtained would be significant in monetary terms. This site also contains a flow meter so the volume of effluent could be measured before and after analysis.

Testing In late June 2015 it was decided to engage some of the functionality of the Deragger II. To begin with, the “clean on start” and a periodic “over run time clean” were enabled for a period of time. This was to test the performance of timed cleans. After 5 days the pump ragged up eventually tripping on 8th July 2015. After the ragging event the Deragger real time control was enabled and the other forms of detection disabled to measure the true benefits.

Data was taken from multiple sources. n Power information from the electric bill n Pumped Flow from the flowmeter and recorded on Scottish waters Open Enterprise Telemetry system.

Findings Blockages - Switching the Deragger II’s onto real time detection had an immediate and obvious effect of reducing the callouts to choked pumps from 1-2 per week to 1 in 6 months. This one blockage was the result of a large rag ball too big for the suction line. This rag ball blocked the suction pipe in the wet well and reduced the flow rate to 0L/s. The Deragger did however trip the pump and take it out of service.

CLEARWATER CONTROLS

Dry Well Pumps

Pump Data Plate

MCC

Energy - The data shows that energy consumption was down more than 20% with the real time detection enabled. This is comparing the 3 month period from April to September 2014 with the same period in 2015.

increase the overall lifespan of the pump. The daily average current was also more stable as the pump was running much smoother again potentially increasing the lifespan.

n Energy Cost Reduction on what is a relatively high cost per kWhr.

Flow - This 20% direct reduction on the energy bill needed to be tied into the amount of effluent pumped. The flow data recorded every minute on Scottish Waters open enterprise telemetry system gives the following data.

Interestingly the average flow rate increased by around 25% after the Deragger was switched on.

Starter Section

n Reduced Callouts and reactive work. n Reduced Manual unblocking of pumps.

Conclusion

n Health and Safety benefits of item 4 above.

In addition to the “Obvious” reduction in callouts to attend choked pumps, the Deragger has successfully reduced the power consumption and power costs by more than 20%. The full benefits are listed below.

n Reduced maintenance costs due the reduction of 18% in runtime to deliver same flow and running within its intended operating range. Less vibration will result in longer seal and bearing lifespan.

The above conclusion has been drawn from comparing flow data with power consumption.

n Freeing up the asset care team’s (operator’s) time to attend to Planned Asset Care or similar

Other Benefits - It has also been found that the runtime of the pump reduced by around 18%.

Benefits

This reduction in daily runtime will potentially

n Energy Consumption Reduction supported by reduced electricity bills.

DERAGGER II Don’t Chop It, Pump It

Don’t chop wet wipes up into small pieces, pump them whole. By utilising the Deragger II’s patented real time technology you can switch off your macerators and remove the chopper blades forever.

Clearwater Controls www.clearwatercontrols.co.uk T: 01324 485 557 E: mail@clearwatercontrols.co.uk

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FEATURE: SMART WATER NETWORKS

SMART WATER MANAGEMENT AT THE CENTRE FOR WATER SYSTEMS, UNIVERSITY OF EXETER It is widely acknowledged that the full effects of future population growth, development and climate change are uncertain on a global scale.

It also is known that the water and wastewater infrastructure assets, which communities rely upon for health, economy and environmental sustainability, are severely underfunded.

However, to make things even more difficult for policy makers and utility managers, events over the last few decades demonstrate clearly that the past is no longer a good predictor of the future, thus innovative technologies are required to address these challenges more cost-effectively, expeditiously and in the face of considerable uncertainties.

The proliferation of remote sensing and data acquisitions technologies and the associated growth of data provide value in almost every domain of society and the water industry is not an exception. These data feeds, e.g., from pumping stations, reservoirs and sewage treatment plants, deliver information to the control systems on a range of measurements. Smart water meters are also on the horizon as many UK water utilities are trialing the technology, with Thames Water aspiring to be a fully metered business with at least 80% customers on smart meters by 2030.

Smart Water Systems The Centre for Water Systems (CWS) at the University of Exeter is at the forefront of research in ‘Smart Water Systems’. These systems rely on information and communications technologies (ICT) to harness, standardize and integrate various data streams to improve understanding and management of natural and engineered water systems. The effective management of water distribution, urban drainage and sewerage infrastructure is likely to require increasingly sophisticated computational techniques to keep pace with the level of data that is collected from sensors in the field. Examples of applications of these ICT systems in urban water and catchment management are given next.

iWIDGET Customer System

Further Smart System Applications

Another example of smart water technologies represents the iWIDGET system, which is a result of an EU-funded collaborative project, addressing the growing need to integrate data from smart water customer meters with the utility collected data to achieve more sustainable operation of the entire system. The project involved three case studies in Greece, Portugal and UK, with customers having access to their real-time water and energy consumption via an online portal designed to facilitate change in customer behavior.

A number of past and ongoing projects in CWS are focusing on new methods for real-time analytics in water distribution systems, i.e., for demand forecasting and pump scheduling, system state estimation, sensor data validation and real-time response/control under failing conditions, to name the few. Similarly, real-time applications in wastewater systems include sewer flood forecasting, bathing water quality prediction, real-time CSO operation, etc. All these technologies have been tested, validated and demonstrated on real-life water and wastewater systems.

Event Recognition System

The effectiveness of traditional permitting policy applied to regulate effluent discharges from urban wastewater systems is being challenged by increasingly complex environmental issues rising public expectations and the need for costeffective approaches. To address these challenges CWS researchers have developed an innovative smart permitting approach as part of the EU SANITAS project. This shifts the permit emphasis from end-of-pipe to the operation of the system as a whole. Wastewater systems are increasingly controlled in real time with active systems guided by a set of rules. This new approach permits the rules rather than outflows. Demonstrated benefits include improvements in surface water quality without entailing excessive cost or increases in Greenhouse Gas emissions.

The Event Recognition System (ERS), developed as part of Knowledge Transfer Partnership between University of Exeter and United Utilities, is a smart system that provides timely and reliable detection of pipe bursts/leaks, equipment failures and other events in water distribution systems.

The technology relies on big data analytics to process automatically flow and pressure sensor data in near real-time and raise alarms when events occur. The ERS is now in companywide use in United Utilities benefiting over 7 million customers and resulting in multi-million annual savings via reduced operational costs whilst protecting the environment and delivering improved service.

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Smart Permitting

For further information on the above systems or other activities of the Centre for Water Systems at the University of Exeter, go to www.ex.ac.uk/cws or or email Prof. Dragan Savic at: d.savic@exeter.ac.uk

Smart Water Educational Opportunities at the University of Exeter MSc in Water Engineering or MSc in Water Engineering with Management The two MSc programmes draw upon the expertise of our Centre for Water Systems, which is internationally renowned for its research into water supply and distribution systems, waste water and urban drainage systems, integrated modelling, risk and uncertainty, whole-life costing, water efficiency, catchment-based management, sustainability and resilience, and associated areas.

The programme is highly relevant to the needs of future water engineers and will provide candidates with knowledge and key skills in the broad area of water engineering and management, equipping you to solve modern day engineering problems.

Ben Ward, Water MSc graduate, said about the programme: “I currently work as an engineer for AECOM; a leading international consultancy. My employer recognised the importance for me to obtain a relevant and up-to-date Masters and it was their recommendation that I enrolled as a part time student with the University of Exeter.

The University of Exeter is a fantastic place to study and one that supports achievement in all career aspirations. Since joining I’ve been selected as one of the Institution of Civil Engineers (ICE) President’s apprentices. This involves shadowing ICE President for some of the presidential duties throughout the year. Exeter has been wholly supportive of this great opportunity, with the flexibility and industrial focus of the programme making it possible to do both.

The lectures and tutorials are responsive to my needs and I’m part of one of the most productive learning environments I could wish for. I attend lectures every Tuesday and by Wednesday I have already put the knowledge into practise!”

Read more at www.exeter.ac.uk/postgraduate/taught/engineering/ water-engineering/

EPSRC Centre for Doctoral Training: Water Informatics, Science & Engineering (WISE CDT) The Centre for Water Systems is involved in the multi-institutional Centre for Doctoral Training (CDT), WISE, which is addressing knowledge gaps a number companies and other stakeholders across the water sector have witnessed in recent years. This unique opportunity for students to study a range of topics and acquire much needed skills within the water industry places them in an ideal situation to shape their own research topic and thus making WISE CDT students ideal recruits across the water sector.

James Webber, WISE CDT PhD student, said about the programme: “The best thing about undertaking a four year PhD programme is the first, taught year which allows you to gain a thorough understanding of your discipline and to approach a range of subjects from different angles without the pressure of a three year deadline looming. I applied for WISE CDT as it provided an opportunity to develop my skills and to develop the ideas I gained from working in a commercial environment. The time and funding allowed me to help develop that into something which would progress my career in the longer term”.

Read more at www.wisecdt.org

FEATURE: SMART WATER NETWORKS

Grundfos system delivers leakage reduction of over 10% whilst reducing energy cost Through advanced pressure control and localised boosting Grundfos has helped companies in The Netherlands, Romania and Denmark achieve measurably significant savings at relatively low cost.

As the global demand for clean and safe drinking water continues to grow, one of the major obstacles to meeting this remains leakage. Ageing existing networks cannot easily be replaced, but a problem that for example leaves London losing 1,000 million litres of clean water every day, and produces worldwide losses equating to the needs of 200 million people, is one that demands a solution. In line with its core values of promoting sustainability and innovation, and backed by over 70 years of pump and control experience, Grundfos is demonstrating time after time that a practical solution now exists.

Called Grundfos Demand Driven Distribution (DDD), this solution uses pressure control to match pumping against demand. In high demand, high flow periods, leakage losses compared to volume are relatively low. However, if when demand decreases the pressure / flow is not, this leads to significant additional water loss in these off-peak periods. The unique MPC controller in the Grundfos DDD system is specially programmed to automatically adapt the degree of pumping to match the actual demand, maintaining a proportional pressure and typically reducing leakage by 10-20%, though savings of as much as 80% have been seen in one installation by SK Water in Korsor, Denmark. Reducing the amount of pumping also significantly reduces electrical energy use, one of the biggest operating costs for water companies and in many a target area for carbon reduction.

In addition to the immediate benefits of reduced leakage and energy use, the multi pump control and proportionate pressure functionality in the Grundfos DDD system also bring long term savings by dramatically lowering the risk of “water hammer”, one of the primary causes of new pipework weaknesses.

Though in many cases recent advances in pump technology will mean updating older pumps with high efficiency ones can be justified with a 2-3 year payback, the Grundfos DDD system is designed to also work with all types of existing pumps. This enables practical, phased introduction and easy integration of both current and new installations.

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One upgrade project already reaping reduced leakage and energy cost benefits from DDD can be found in Ploesti, Romania. With 60,000 consumers and a weekly pumped volume of 100,000 m3 per week, pressure was 2.9 bar during the day, and 2.6 bar at night. NonRevenue Water (NRW) was 30%, meaning 1.5 million m3 of water was being lost a year.

Following a range of investments, including Grundfos DDD, the upgraded system is saving 50,000 kW/h of energy per year and leaks have been reduced by 150,000 m3 (10%).

Another example lies in The Netherlands, where Dunea is a clean water company providing drinking water to 1.2 million clients. Requiring a new booster station with unusual capacities – an average of 140m3/h at 23 mwc but with an emergency demand of 700 m3/h at 36mwc – five pump companies were approached for solutions.

Grundfos proposed several options, all of which featured high efficiency variable speed pumps and the MPC controller that forms the backbone

of the DDD system. Including supply of the complete station package, from groundwork to commissioning, Grundfos delivered the project in 2015 with Mr Rob de Jong, Distribution Specialist at Dunea stating "The Grundfos Demand Driven Distribution pressure management system fits exactly into Dunea's Policy Intention for 2015: With its inherent features, Demand Driven Distribution represents the most responsible way to use energy in our systems – and gives us the means to monitor this."

To find out more about these projects, read about others and calculate what your savings might be simply scan the QR code to visit www.grundfos.co.uk/ddd

Meet the Water Challenge

OPTIMISE YOUR WATER DISTRIBUTION NETWORK Grundfos Demand Driven Distribution regularly reduces leakage loss and energy costs by up to 20% Proven in case after case. Find out more and calculate what you can save at www.grundfos.co.uk/ddd

SEAMS

Drive for TOTEX certainty means we must first deal with systemic uncertainty The way we understand and make sense of variation in the world affects the decisions we make. TOTEX is no exception given the variety and volume of data. Joe Roebuck, SEAMS Analytics Director asks “has the industry equipped itself with the right tools to make the right decisions on TOTEX?”

To satisfy this end, there has been rapid uptake in Big Data Analytics mirrored by a land grab by software vendors for domination in solutions.

The analytics landscape is complex in terms of matching analytical methods with data availability and what the user is actually trying to achieve. The marketplace is quickly being crowded and is becoming confusing. The Analytics in Asset Management Matrix (Figure 1) provides a framework to simplify the analytics space by mapping user wants to analytics types. Answering

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DESCRIPTIVE

PREDICTIVE

PRESCRIPTIVE

STRATEGIC

What happened to our assets in the last 10 years?

What will happen to our assets in the next 25 years?

What future investments do we need to make on our assets?

TACTICAL

What happened to our assets in the last year?

What will happen to our assets in the next year?

What assets do we need to replace or maintain this year?

OPERATIONAL

Three price reviews later and just as companies were getting to grips with ‘data’, new requirements such as TOTEX have introduced dynamics that asset owners must again come to terms with and hope data investment is not suddenly made redundant. Companies need not only address deterministic questions such as the “what’s, where’s, when’s and how’s”, but more significantly they must capture the future in terms of how investments deal with tomorrow’s customers, environment and compliance.

ANALYTICS TECHNIQUES

BUSINESS REQUIREMENTS

Since the adoption of the Capital Maintenance Planning Common Framework for the preparation of the Price Review in 2004, UK water companies have continued to seek enhancements in data collection, reporting, and quality. This has been in a drive to make more informed and robust investment decisions to meet any number of compliance factors and at the best value for money. To this end, significant investments have been made to create systematic and consistent data management services to underpin investment decisions that form business cases.

What is happening to our assets today?

What will happen to our assets tomorrow?

What assets do we need to inspect or maintain tomorrow?

Figure 1 – The “Analytics Matrix” in Asset Management

each of the nine questions posed across the matrix will identify strengths and weaknesses in their portfolio of analytical tools.

SEAMS’ research has found that there is a significantly high level of maturity in tools that sit within the descriptive element of the matrix. Most water companies have carried out implementations of enterprise data platforms (SAP, ARM, etc.) to allow them to collect,

centralise and visualise data. And, more recently, enhancements in modelling skills, notably, the arrival of the “Data Scientist” means predictive analytics is a quickly maturing discipline.

However, analytical capability in this area remains varied across the industry.

To deal with the implications of TOTEX for PR19 and beyond, asset owners must deal with understanding “What-if?” i.e. prescriptive

FEATURE: SMART WATER NETWORKS analytics. This capability centres on how data is used to inform decision makers on tolerances for how likely TOTEX interventions are to deliver outcomes. Perhaps more importantly, this form of analytics informs on the likelihood of achieving outcome delivery incentives (ODI).

Failure to get a handle on prescriptive analytics could therefore leave utilities with underfunded, underperforming, or stranded assets.

So what will the analytics landscape look like for the next planning round? Two major shifts are predicted that relate to the increase in decision complexity brought about by legislative requirements of TOTEX and the need to capture variance within the TOTEX regime: n Firstly, companies will need to move away from single long range forecasts of condition or deterioration upon which interventions are identified. This makes asset management plans very rigid and inappropriate to future economic, environmental, or societal changes. Companies will need to develop long range flexible plans using adaptive pathways technology that captures uncertainty inherent in utilities’ network futures at key time windows across the planning horizon. n Secondly, companies will need to move away from treating optimisation of assets in isolation and towards applying assets within holistic analytics processes. Tools will be integrated to allow for strategic, yet agile

Create simple decisions from complex asset data

decision making that suck up operational ground-level, asset-by-asset data to ensure ODIs are on track at the strategic level.

Holistic decision analytics is more than just enabling optimisation to be carried out on above and below ground assets. It is about providing a single decision making platform that provides a structured analytics framework. This requires integration of multiple applications and it requires a level of flexibility in decision making beyond the last generation tools.

TOTEX has received much coverage during the past two years with the industry coming to terms with what it is to perform holistic calculations of costs, service outcomes, and risk and then to apply suitable funding arrangements. However, what has largely been neglected is how such complex calculations manifest as real-world decisions. What is put down on paper, agreed and committed to will inevitably have risk exposure.

Such risk is the product of the unknowns in those calculations – unknowns such as performance of assets, changes to demographics, or future policy changes. Companies have compiled the evidence, but they must now look to manage those decisions throughout the lifecycle of the asset or process. It is for this reason that TOTEX should be placed at the heart of the Big Data agenda for the UK water industry.

Author: Joe Roebuck, SEAMS, Business Analytics Director, 2016

Discover how Enterprise Decision Analytics powers decision-making on today’s infrastructure for tomorrow’s needs.

Contact us today for a free demonstration: e: info@seamsltd.com Or call +44 (0) 114 280 9000

Data

Analytics

Seams IOW 180x115 250216.indd 1

Modelling

Optimisation

Visualisation

+44(0)114 280 9000 www.seamsltd.com info@seamsltd.com SEAMS LTD, ASH HOUSE, 65 NAPIER STREET, SHEFFIELD, S11 8HA

26/02/2016 09:58

instituteofwater.org.uk

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In tank mixing solutions In tank mixing provides a variety of benefits by creating uniform water quality and age within the storage asset. By improving mixing, disinfection is more efficient and this not only reduces chemical costs but also minimises the formation of chlorine byproducts. Mixing also inhibits biological growth which improves water quality.

By Paul Henderson Panton McLeod are excited to be working with some of the most innovative UK water companies to improve water quality within their distribution systems, effectively continuing the treatment process after the water leaves the treatment works.

Service reservoirs provide a critical part of the treatment and distribution network, by acting as a buffer for the distribution system they provide resilience against fluctuations in demand and ensure the pipework network remains full and air free. In many systems this allows for the transfer of supply to be completed through gravity alone saving huge energy costs.

By their very nature the flow within reservoirs slows and at times the water can be viewed as being static. This period of inactivity has a number of drawbacks including exposing the stored water to the effects of stratification, ageing and possible contaminants due to water ingress.

Whereas many water companies have adopted rigorous inspection, repair and cleaning programmes to mitigate the effects of ingress, very few are fully considering the effect of poor circulation within their asset base.

After investigating stagnation and stratification within reservoirs through the use of their Dead

Spot SamplingTM service in 2014 and 2105, Panton McLeod are now working with leading US firm PAX Water Technologies to provide a solution to the issue.

In tank mixing provides a variety of benefits by creating uniform water quality and age within the storage asset. By improving mixing, disinfection is more efficient and this not only reduces chemical costs but also minimises the formation of chlorine byproducts. Mixing also inhibits biological growth which improves water quality.

Another benefit of mixing is that naturally occurring sediment is kept in suspension rather than being deposited on the reservoir floor, this can extend the period required between cleans without impacting on water quality in the network, this is similar to the philosophy around the PODDS mains conditioning system.

By extending the period between cleans water companies can reduce the operational costs associated with the planning and re-zoning of networks needed during intrusive cleaning works.

Ceris Van De Vyver, Panton McLeod Chief Scientist explains why they have chosen to partner with PAX over other mixer suppliers, “We have been so impressed with the level of market leading research that has supported their product development, their lily shaped mixing head

uses biomicry to produce a “toroidal” flow with exceptionally low power demand.”

PAX provide a range of mixers that are specified for each project to produce the optimum performance for the lowest energy requirement.

This is a stark contrast to some of the other less specialist mixers. Whereas PAX can provide both vertical and variable angle mixers which can operate in a variety of water depths, other mixers, especially those that are surface mounted require specific water depths, and often produce less effective linear flow.

Another key advantage of the PAX mixer family is their extremely low requirement for maintenance, a servicing period of 7 years is specified but test equipment and early installations have been running for over 8 years without any maintenance and without impacting performance.

Due to their efficient design PAX mixers are much smaller and lightweight compared the competition and this reduces installation costs, recently Panton McLeod were able to install a mixer into a service reservoir using their small inspection ROV while the asset remained full and in supply, other mixers require significant lifting equipment.

To find out more about the range of DWI complaint mixers visit www.pantonmcleod.co.uk or contact Ceris Van De Vyver at info@pantonmcleod.co.uk

Tel : 01896 663 330 • info@pantonmcleod.co.uk

WIDESPREAD ROBOTIC INSPECTION PROGRAMME GUIDES FUTURE INVESTMENT DECISIONS

Asset Inspection

Panton McLeod teams have recently completed a major asset base assessment programme using their fleet of robotic vehicles; in total around 90 reservoirs have been inspected as part of an intensive programme allowing future investment to be prioritised.

Cleaning and Disinfection

Due to security considerations the name of the client cannot be shared and teams working on the project have also undergone a vetting process before working on the sites.

After inspection the HD footage has been edited and archived, as well be being used to provide still photos for inclusion in condition grading reports.

For more information about the range of robotic services please contact Michael Hook on 01896 663 330

GOT THM CONCERNS IN YOUR SYSTEM?

Pipeline Commissioning

Mixing and THM Removal

Data from a UK installation of the PAX TRS system is highlighting just how effective the system can be when used to tackle raised THM levels in the distribution network.

Best Practice Consultancy

Shown in graph form the data clearly shows how THMs are removed by the low energy and chemical free process, the data was collected over 10 days in September 2015.

Ceris Van De Vyver, Panton McLeod’s Chief Water Quality Scientist is delighted to have such a clear data set from a UK installation, “We have been working with the team from PAX for around 7 months now and whereas we have seen a huge amount of data from installations around the world it is brilliant to see such great evidence from a UK installation.”

“The graph shows normal levels between 60 and 70 µg/l but as soon as the system is activated the levels drop dramatically.”

“Within 24/48 hours’ levels are down to around 30 µg/l and remain consistently low. With this level of immediate impact and predictability network operators can take control of THM treatment out in the distribution network at short notice, and only when required, a truly cost efficient solution.”

Water Quality Engineering www.pantonmcleod.co.uk Tel : 01896 663 330

To find out more about the range of PAX systems including the TRS “THM Removal System” contact Ceris via ceris.vandevyver@pantonmcleod.co.uk

www.pantonmcleod.co.uk •

@pantonmcleod

MABBETT

ON-SITE SPECIALISTS IN ENVIRONMENTAL ENGINEERING 20 years of engineering, environmental and health & safety technical consultancy across the UK 20 years of engineering, environmental and health & safety technical consultancy across the UK has provided Mabbett with a real understanding and experience of the everyday and the long-term challenges of business and industry. We support by having an integrated team across 5 different office bases - Glasgow, Edinburgh, Liverpool, Cardiff and Belfast.

n Integration of energy improvements with wider environmental and water management projects.

Mabbett provide a complete portfolio of energy services. Our clients use our support at every step of the way in their energy projects and improvements. More than this at organisational level Mabbett can deliver comprehensive and strategic energy management.

n Energy Performance Contracts and associated measurement and verification services.

Services and skills include:

n Investment Grade Feasibility Studies.

n Independent Engineering Consultancy for energy and wider environmental projects.

n Measurement and data collection, we apply a wide range of measurement equipment techniques from flow meters to infrared thermography.

n Project Engineering and other onsite engineering support for plant installation and improvements.

n Compliance services to industry, commerce and the public sector to include ESOS Lead Assessors. n Development and implementation of successful energy management systems under ISO50001.

n Design and associated services to include ADMS, Energy Modelling and BIM. n Project management.

Mabbett’s client base continues to develop. As an example in 2015 Mabbett undertook a programme of comprehensive ESOS Energy Audits for the 30 UK manufacturing sites of a blue chip engineering multinational. The findings will provide the basis for company investment in energy efficiency for years to come.

Mabbett is now providing project engineering support on a number of these sites for improved cooling water and effluent treatment systems, helping the company realise their combined environmental and energy objectives.

To See a Difference in your energy performance, water management and other environmental and much more, call us today on (+44) 0141 227 2300, visit our website: www.mabbett.eu or email: info@mabbett.eu.

n Training and related services.

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Mabbett Mabbett is recognised recognised as one one of the the leading leading independent independent water water Mabbett isisrecognised asasone ofofthe leading independent water management management and and EHSQ EHSQ consultancies consultancies in the the U.K. U.K. Our Our engineers, engineers, management and EHSQ consultancies ininthe U.K. Our engineers, scientists scientists and and health health and and safety safety professionals professionals can can assist assist you you scientists and health and safety professionals can assist you tototo become become compliant compliant with with EHS EHS legislation, legislation, help help you you reduce reduce your your become compliant with EHS legislation, help you reduce your energy, energy, water water and and waste waste costs, costs, and and implement implement good good practice practice energy, water and waste costs, and implement good practice tototo become become leaders leaders in your your sector. sector. become leaders ininyour sector. · Energy, · Energy, Water Water & Waste Waste · Energy, Water &&Waste · Engineered · Engineered Solutions Solutions · Engineered Solutions · Environment · Environment · Environment && & Environmental Environmental Planning Planning Environmental Planning

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Ross Ramsay, Manager M&E Engineering: ramsay@mabbett.eu Suzanne Nelson, Business Development Executive: nelson@mabbett.eu

PERSISTENCE PERSISTENCE | INTEGRITY | INTEGRITY | PASSION | PASSION | SUSTAINABILITY | SUSTAINABILITY PERSISTENCE | INTEGRITY | PASSION | SUSTAINABILITY

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QUANTUM CONTROLS LIMITED

UNIQUE APPROACH TO ENERGY REDUCTION Quantum Controls Ltd are the 2016 Winner of the Prestigious Innovation and Excellence Award.

The UK’s leading supplier of ABB Drives and Motors since 1994 and are an Official UK ABB Service Partner. Over recent years Quantum have previously won 3 national awards for their innovative energy saving solutions provided to UK Industry.

85% of electricity consumed by Electric Motors Quantum’s approach to energy reduction is truly unique. It is a fact that on Centrifugal Pump and Fan applications a reduction in motor speed of 20% will produce an energy reduction of approximately 50%. However, while many Variable Speed Drive sellers will issue you a report showing ‘predicted savings’ Quantum actually installs and commissions temporary Drives onto your application.

They also install energy monitors that record energy usage before and after the installation of the Drive which enables them to issue a report to clients detailing the energy that would be saved on a permanent installation to the penny. Quantum’s energy saving strategy allows you the client to make decisions based on facts not fiction thus taking all investment risks away.

350,000 Votes from UK Industries Quantum won the 2015 ABB Drives and Motor Supplier of the Year UK Corporate Excellence Award. Over 350,000 people from UK Industries were asked to nominate for this category and Quantum Controls came out on top.

Kevin Brown, company owner says “The unique way we operate is appreciated by our clients. All our staff are employed based on attitude as much as aptitude to ensure customer service is the first thing they think of every day. Expert product knowledge and service levels are a given, doing our best to ensure our clients actually enjoy the experience of dealing with us sets us apart from our competitors. Over the past four years, we have doubled the size of our business winning awards voted for by our customers further enforces our position as the UK’s leading provider of ABB Drives, Motors and Energy Saving services”

What Could You be Saving?

If your organisation would benefit from a reduction in energy costs then call Quantum today for your free, no obligation meeting with one of engineer experts (not a salesman) and find out exactly what savings can be achieved on your site and join the 1,000’s of UK companies who have already benefited.

Quantum Controls Ltd 6A Dukesway, Low Prudhoe Industrial Estate Prudhoe, Northumberland NE42 6PQ Tel: 01661 835 566 Fax: 01661 833 868 Email: sales@quantum-controls.co.uk Web: www.quantum-controls.co.uk

IChemE Forms of Contract For over 45 years IChemE have partnered with experienced industry professionals to publish their acclaimed UK and international Forms of Contract.

The Red Book – Lump Sum Contract The Green Book – Reimbursable Contract The Burgundy Book – Target Cost Contract The Yellow Book – Subcontract The Brown Book – Subcontract for Civil Engineering Works The Orange Book – Minor Works The Silver Book – Professional Services Agreement The contracts are available to purchase in hard copy, printable PDF, view only PDF and editable word document formats.

1325_15 FOC HP .indd 1

For more information or to make a purchase please contact our sales team on: +44(0)1788 534470 or sales@icheme.org

www.icheme.org/foc

instituteofwater.org.uk 16/02/2016 27 17:02

SELWOOD

Like platinum, Selwood at 70 stands for quality, resilience and performance Platinum is one of the most prized resources on our planet. It’s synonymous with quality, resilience and performance. And as the precious metal that marks 70-year anniversaries, it is the theme for Selwood’s celebrations in 2016.

So much has changed in seven decades in the industries we serve in the UK and around the world.

Like platinum, we believe we’ve been adaptable yet strong, constantly responding to the demands of each new generation of customer, and developing the business with those changing demands in mind.

It’s a rich heritage, and one we’re proud of.

It’s also the rock solid foundation on which we continue to build the Selwood of tomorrow.

Today, we are world leaders in pump manufacture, with strategic partners delivering Selwood products for some of the most demanding projects and environments across the globe, and with thousands of Selwood pumps operating in far-flung places, often for many years or even decades.

which is easy to navigate, full of news and case studies and fully responsive to use on desktops, mobiles and tablets.

a water-tolerant diaphragm air pump that eliminates the oil emissions problems associated with other priming systems.

We rank as the leading pump hire company in the UK, with our nationwide network of branches serving thousands of customers each year.

We’ll be celebrating our anniversary at several major events including a major presence at Bauma in Munich and at the IFAT and Hillhead shows.

Our extensive plant hire fleet, offered from key regional depots, continues to thrive and grow as a key part of the Selwood offering.

We have also got a very significant product launch on the way that will complement the existing Selwood pump range, and there will be more to tell later this year.

Our auto stop-start system for diesel pumps increases fuel efficiency and our pumps can report on their operation and performance directly to mobile phones, providing real-time alerts and feedback.

This year we have some exciting developments in the pipeline. We have just launched a new website

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Our pump fleet encompasses more than 5,000 diesel and electric units spanning from 2” to 18”, including surface pumps, explosion-proof, electric and hydraulic submersible pumps.

Most of our products incorporate Selwood’s unique ‘Selprime’ self-priming system, an environmentally-friendly design that uses

p & Plant H um

& Sales ire

Our success has been down to innovation and an unswerving commitment to quality, our strong relationships with clients in the water and construction industries in the UK and abroad and the outstanding customer service offered by our and dedicated teams of experts.

Selwood is one of the few British pump companies to manufacture, hire and sell its own range of surface diesel and hydraulic pumps.

But it’s about more than products. It’s service that keeps Selwood at the cutting edge. As we mark our Platinum year, we underline our commitment to setting the benchmark in the water, environmental and construction industries.

Here’s to the next 70 years and beyond…

Selwood P

Our ethos has always been “Proud to Deliver” and the three pillars of the business, pump sales, pump hire and plant hire, are built on that foundation.

19

46 - 2016

When you need an innovative partner.

You can trust Wilo.

Water Management by Wilo Wilo make your life easier by combining innovative technology, extensive support and a clear focus on customer service.

Our experts give you personal support in every phase of the project, from planning and configuration through to commissioning.

So when it comes to water management you really can trust Wilo.

For more information visit www.wilo.co.uk or call 01283 523000

Pioneering for You

instituteofwater.org.uk

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Z-TECH

Southern Water Flowmeter Framework Z-Tech are delighted to announce another key flowmeter framework for Southern Water’s abstraction and district input flowmeters.

The 3 year contract for the verification and survey of these meters covers some 167 sites and nearly 300 assets.

Gareth Winslade, Leakage Demand Analyst at Southern Water said: “We have recently been using Z-Tech to repair and maintain a number of our E.M. meters. Thanks to their excellent work we now have confidence in the data from those meters, which has increased our overall data coverage of the network. Z-Tech’s work has given us the information we need to proactively plan and action the replacement of aging meter assets before they fail, through the provision of site surveys, meter efficiency reports and possible clamp-on substitutions where a full bore meter replacement would be a high risk strategy. We are looking forward to furthering our metering partnership and are delighted that Z-Tech have been awarded this verification program.”

Julian Peacock, Network Optimisation Business Unit Manager at Z-Tech said:“I’m delighted we are able to add Southern Water to our flowmeter portfolio. I particularly enjoy winning contracts and this can only be achieved by having the best staff for the job, competitive pricing, and building relationships with new customers based on trust.

We really do have the best teams in the UK for the installation of ultrasonic flowmeters’’

Energy Saving Trust – Best Business Sector Fleet

Michael Swinhoe, Z-Tech’s MD said: “We’ve worked with the Energy Saving Trust since 2009, when they conducted our first Green Fleet Review; we have since implemented all of their recommendations and beaten our C02 reduction targets.

Achieving an excellent result at the recent Energy Saving Trust Fleet Hero Awards, Z-Tech took first place for the prestigious ‘Best Business Sector Fleet’.

It was only a year ago that we bought our first two Nissan all electric vans, when myself and Luke Stanbridge took a 675 mile two day return trip to Newcastle via Manchester, using the Ecotricity charging Network.

The award was given for continued developments of our fleet towards lower emission vehicles, including the latest all-electric Nissan eNV200s, which we added to our Rail Business Unit early in 2015.

This award has been hard earned, saved us a lot of money and we’ve been pioneers in our activity.”

Excellence in Health and Safety We take Health and Safety seriously and encourage everyone to be responsible for Health and Safety across the company.

When we heard that Ray Coulson, one of the Electricians from our Rail Business Unit (pictured right), received over the maximum score for safety on the Underground, twice, we had to mention his efforts.

Anyone working on the Underground will know that to get a maximum score is next to impossible, but to EXCEED it twice is astounding.

Jeremy Bull, HSEQ Director (pictured left) said: “Ray has shown great attention to detail to achieve these Health and Safety scores and I am proud of his efforts for Z-Tech.”

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Complete solutions for large and small water network projects.

Our teams and equipment are tailored to your individual needs.

Problem Solvers www.z-tech.co.uk

Tel: 01223 653500 Fax: 01223 653501 engineers@z-tech.co.uk

SAFE TRUSTED RESPONSIVE & PROFESSIONAL instituteofwater.org.uk

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CSC SERVICES

REMOVING FAILED COATINGS ON TANKS THE SAFE AND CLEAN WAY With wide spread acceptance that water storage tanks can’t simply be ‘fitted and forgotten’, the Health & Safety Executive regularly warn Engineers that suitable measures are required to ensure tanks are correctly specified, examined and maintained throughout their service life.

Corrosion of steel fasteners, black mould growth, osmotic blistering and leaking between panels are all common reasons why tanks fail and reasons called upon for tanks to be repaired and relined.

There are now a range of advanced coatings to specify from, but does the removal of the failed lining need to be a costly disruption to service?

The latest dustless blasting technology can be used to remove failed coatings and prepare surfaces to be relined. It can be used on a range of structures in addition to tanks including external pipework and eliminates many of the problems typically associated with traditional stripping methods.

Vacuum blasting is a dust free process. All materials and old coatings when blasted from a surface are vacuumed back into the machine via the blast nozzle. This is of paramount importance given that dangerous levels of Silica dust can be created when blasting materials such as concrete or masonry.

As the blasted material is immediately contained the process causes less mess. There is less need for areas to be screened off before work can commence, and workers using this equipment don’t need to be segregated from other workers.

This significantly reduced the length of time that the service is disrupted. The process is environmentally friendly and efficient. It can be used in confined spaces and will provide a suitable mechanical key in which a new primer or coating can bond to.

NEW APPOINTMENT

REDUCE SERVICE DISRUPTION TIME WITH POLYUREA

Lyndsey Gilmartin has been appointed as the new Marketing Manager at CSC Services. Lyndsey was previously the Marketing & Events Manager at the Institute of Water from 2006-2012.

The latest WRAS approved Polyurea coating can also significantly reduce disruption to service.

Polyurea has a very fast cure and set time (5-20 seconds), and can be applied in sub-zero temperatures. This enables repair and relining work to take place all year round. Polyurea is also abrasion resistant and highly chemical resistant meaning the coating can be guaranteed for longer than traditional coatings of this nature. Polyurea is currently pending DWI approval.

Speaking about the appointment Lyndsey said: “CSC Services have a lot to offer the UK Water industry. The company is very forward thinking and have really grasped the value of professional membership. CSC Services are sponsoring the Northern Area and it has been great so see some familiar faces at local events.”

INNOVATION THROUGH COLLABORATION order to achieve its vision of clean water for all in a perfectly sustainable system. Organised by TWENTY65, the project will address the grand challenge of providing sustainable water for all by working in partnership across the water sector.

Mark Lemon, Managing Director of CSC Services joined industry experts at an event in London to identify the ‘disruptive innovations’ the water sector requires over the next 50 years in

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Mark Lemon said: “The day was very inspiring and demonstrates how important a collaborative approach that successfully joins together water companies, research academics and the supply chain will be to achieving a perfectly sustainable water system for the future.”

CSC Services are a specialist contractor to the water and power industry providing high performance cleaning, repairs, specialist coatings and leak sealing solutions.

For more information about CSC Services including a short film introducing Precision Dustless Blasting and Polyurea technology visit: www.csc-services.co.uk or visit us at Sustainability Live 2016.

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Water in a circular economy – a vision

By Jan Hofman, Tom Arnot, Ana Lanham Water as a vital resource Our society relies heavily on water to support human life and the earth’s ecosystems and climate, but it is also a ubiquitous resource which is embedded in all economic activities – particularly in agriculture, energy production, and in manufacturing. Water cascades through this artificial urban water cycle before being returned to its natural global environment.

Both water quantity and quality are threatened by increasing pollution, climate change, extreme weather events, and population growth - in particular urban population growth. In the EU an average of 40% of water consumption is used for food production, and another 40% is used for energy production and manufacturing. Hence, water scarcity and poor water quality could lead to potentially disastrous consequences for our society. The potential financial losses faced by industry and economic activity, and the potential threats to public health, sanitation, and to social and political stability are significant.

Water in the Circular Economy

34

These concerns have led to the emergence of alternative sustainable market models. A key example of this is encompassed by the principle of a Circular Economy. This concept focuses on preserving the value of products, materials and resources, by actively maintaining them in economic cycles for as long as possible to minimise waste. This requires different sectors to work together with an integrated system approach, to find opportunities for alignment of interests, be it in collaboratively designing an optimised supply chain, in finding mutual interests for exchanging resources, or in creating innovative business models

and engaging customers. Whilst the concept may be extremely appealing, as it speaks to the growing values of sustainability and new opportunities for economic prosperity, there are a number of challenges to be overcome.

Defining the appropriate regulatory framework that enables different sectors to collaborate and exchange value, defining appropriate quality parameters for recycled or recovered materials, and, most importantly, inspiring a common vision that can help overcome the initial activation energy for businesses and society to adopt a systemic change, are all essential to enabling a circular economy.

The European Commission (EC) has recently published an Action Plan for the Circular Economy.

This is an initial platform with a number of proposed actions that should be embraced and amplified by national, regional and local initiatives, and also across different sectors. At the last meeting of the European Parliament’s Group on Water on 26th January 2016 in Brussels, Esther de Lange (MEP) stated that water would be the natural starting point for a circular economy when discussing this important new economic model. In fact, with water being such a ubiquitous resource across social, industrial and economic activities, the preservation of water within a long lived urban

Anaerobic digestion facilities at Bristol WWT Photo courtesy of Wessex Water

Water softening pellets - a product of water softening - Photo courtesy of Amsterdam Water Supply

Bristol Waste Water Treatment Works - Photo courtesy of Wessex Water

instituteofwater.org.uk

UNIVERSITY OF BATH water cycle is a perfect example of the concept of a circular economy. This stimulates the need to reduce both our dependency and impact on the natural water cycle, and yet at the same time to create the opportunity for water to be exchanged and recycled throughout different activities, with the increased added-value of resource recovery, and in particular energy production.

A number of opportunities for water Whilst both the European Commission and national and regional Governments are setting the scene with a much needed vision, financial incentives, and an appropriate regulatory framework, we are still at the beginning of this journey and there are a number of opportunities for water in the circular economy that are yet to be optimised, or even identified in the first place.

The key principles are to reduce water consumption through water efficiency measures, to reduce water pollution at point of source, to separate and treat contaminated waste streams rather than diluting them, and to promote water conservation through customer education and leakage reduction using smart metering and monitoring. In terms of water utilities, both drinking water production and waste water treatment produce different kinds of wastes or residues. Examples are coagulation sludge (iron or aluminium oxides), softening sludge or pellets, waste activated sludge etc., not to mention other redundant or past end-of-life infrastructure such as old water distribution mains or sewer pipes.

The circular economy principles also require the water sector to change the way of disposing of their residuals by considering new business opportunities for recovery of resources such as nutrients, mainly phosphorus but also nitrogen, critical materials and minerals, carbon, and energy.

Water utilities need to adapt to a circular economy, where waste and residuals can be seen as resources for new added value products.

In some cases this requires adaptation of water or waste water treatment processes, and corresponding economic models, but there are no significant technical barriers. Of course investments in additional technology are needed, but in many cases proof exists that a positive business case can be achieved.

It is clear that these new European policies require the water sector to be proactive and respond to the targets set by the Commission.

Innovation will not happen in one day and a multi-disciplinary approach is needed, involving technical, environmental, managerial, policy and economic research. The Water Innovation and Research Centre at Bath aims to provide all of these ingredients, with engagement of all disciplines across the campus. In collaboration with the water sector, we aim to conduct world leading research achieve viable supply chains for water utility residuals, and to open new opportunities for a sustainable and circular economy.

We can help you reimagine your water R&D

Tom Arnot

Ana Lanham

Jan Hofman

About the authors: Prof Jan Hofman, Dr Tom Arnot and Dr Ana Lanham are all members of the Water Innovation and Research Centre at the University of Bath. This newly formed Centre has a core of 14 academics and about 40 affiliated academic staff across the subject range at the University.

To learn more about our water research and to explore opportunities to collaborate with us, please visit out website: go.bath.ac.uk/wirc or contact us via email: wirc@bath.ac.uk

Water Innovation & Research Centre

Through the Water Innovation and Research Centre at the University of Bath our experts work with industry, academia, and other stakeholders to tackle the fundamental issues surrounding sustainable water. Through WISE, our Centre for Doctoral Training in Water Informatics: Science and Engineering, we work with collaborative partners to train the next generation of skilled water scientists and engineers.

To explore a partnership with water research experts and students at the University of Bath for your organisation, contact water-research@bath.ac.uk.

go.bath.ac.uk/water-research

instituteofwater.org.uk

35

EMERGENCY 600 L/S RAW SEWAGE SET-UP WITH AGGRESSIVE DUTY CYCLE Exsel Pumps was called in to an emergency requirement when it was discovered that a 600mm diameter rising main had collapsed and further investigation resulted in a need to replace the pipe.

The application involved 600 l/s of raw sewage to be over-pumped a distance of 400 metres across farmland and through a wooded area. However, when Exsel scoped the site it was noticed that it was not going to be a simple over-pump for the team.

The chamber from which Exsel had access to was limited in space and only provided a 1.8 metre diameter by 1.5 metre depth from which to pump from. To achieve the flow required it was not possible to place enough submersible units in the chamber and a solution had to be worked out.

In addition, when assessing the pumping cycle the Exsel team also noted that the duty cycles were not conducive to allow ease of pump operation. The duty cycle was about three minutes flow with three minutes of no flow. There was no option to be able to increase the chamber size either. There was an added issue where it was also established that a further 150 mm diameter main was pumping into the same chamber with an unknown flow condition. The chamber size was such that at the full flow condition the chamber would fill up in six seconds causing a sewage spill over the top of the chamber. The pumping solution could not fail.

Exsel came up with the solution considering the emergency requirement and critical nature of the application and the potential for failure. The team utilised a duty standby operation with two 55kW immersible pumps installed in the chamber and two 140kW immersible pumps surface mounted with a standalone vacuum priming system for each. One of each pump type was used for the duty and the same for the stand-by. An Exsel PLC container was used that was programmed to operate the duty and stand-by set-ups as independent systems providing a full flow back up capability.

Variable speed drives to control the four pumps were utilised and generators were also supplied with a duty and stand-by capability. The pumps were controlled by pressure transducers and the PLC was programmed to ramp up the speed fast and had to be millimetre accurate such that the pumps could cater for the variable and sporadic flow conditions. Exsel spent time on site ensuring that the set-up was finely programmed to be able to cater for the onerous duty cycles and the need for the pumps to be able to ramp up effectively as the pumping demand required.

Due to the fact that the pumps would operate in non-submerged conditions the use of immersible pumps that could run dry was a critical consideration.

To ensure that the number of starts per hour did not damage the pumps they were ramped down slowly when the flow subsided. This was only capable with immersible units.

That wasn’t the end of the set-up as the team still had to install 400 metres of 450mm diameter flanged steel pipe across a muddy field and navigate through woodland to the discharge point. Exsel’s highly trained and certificated personnel operated tele-handlers to assist in the set-up. The experience of the installation team also allowed them to “bend” the discharge line to follow the path of the new pipe installation. The total set-up was installed in two days and has operated successfully since.

The team continue to monitor the pumping with the use of a remote monitoring capability backed up by SMS alarms. This included remote monitoring of the generators, fuel usage and availability. Exsel also providing both pump and fuel management as a total package for the customer.

PUMPING 1,200 L/S OF ACTIVATED HEAVILY RAG-LADEN SLUDGE WITH RESTRICTED SPACE Exsel Pumps Ltd was called in to a major treatment works to use their expertise on a difficult application. The client needed to move 1,200 l/s of heavily ragladen activated sludge from a tight access area to a discharge point.

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The added complication was that the area from which the sludge had to be pumped was 7 metres above the ground and the access from where the sludge was to be pumped from was only 1.1 metres by 2 metres.

A solution was required and Exsel was able to provide it by utilising two 12” submersible pumps and two 12” surface mounted immersible pumps with stand-alone vacuum priming systems. The suction lift for the surface mounted pumps was 7 metres considering also the composition of the pumped liquid being a heavy rag-laden sludge.

The pumps utilised were chosen due to their

unique and proven rag- and sludge handling capability. The correct equipment for the application to provide a true solution and could be provided from the Exsel fleet.

All four pumps, a 500 kvA generator and the vacuum priming systems were all controlled through level controls by a PLC that incorporated variable speed drives for each pump. The variable speed capability and programming was a key element in the success of the pumping solution provided.

The submersible pumps were partly assembled with the flanged steel discharge pipework fitted

EXSEL PUMPS

SPECIALIST PUMP RENTAL & SPECIAL PROJECTS • Specialist sewage pump experts • Total pumping solution including installation • Significant fuel savings up to 80% lower • Unrivalled rag-handling capability • Pumps up to 32” (800mm) discharge • Diesel and immersible electric pumps

Exsel Pumps Limited Unit G5 For t Wallington Industrial Estate Militar y Road, Fareham PO16 8TT Tel: Fax:

+44(0)1329 229 800 +44(0)1329 232 443

www.exselpumps.co.uk A

Group Company

Fareham Depot Unit G5, Fort Wallington Ind Est Military Road, Fareham, Hampshire PO16 8TT

Kent Depot Unit 4, Vicarage Lane Ind Est Vicarage Lane, Hoo, Rochester, Kent ME3 9LB

Leeds Depot Lotherton Way, Garforth Leeds, West Yorkshire LS25 2JY

and with almost artistic flair, the team were able to fit a number of pipework fittings that positioned the first pump to one side and at the bottom of the chamber to be pumped.

The second submersible pump similarly was pre-assembled but was suspended above the first pump and still allowed access for the two suction pipes for the two surface mounted units.

Four 12” flanged steel discharge lines were then routed neatly to the discharge point allowing access to various areas highlighted by the client. Considering this was all carried out at a height of 7 metres above the ground and in a tight space. This was carried out safely and efficiently with the Exsel team demonstrating their awareness of safe working at height and in a confined area reflecting their training and experience.

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HYDROK

Hydrok Wastewater Treatment Hire Solutions own factory ready to be installed as needed and include the HY-SAF package treatment plant (IFAS technology), HyER Diffuser Liftout Grids, both using ultra fine bubble aeration and HydrokMecana tertiary treatment stainless steel tanks for phosphorus removal, TSS reduction and ‘priority substance’ removal.

Hydrok-Mecana tertiary treatment for hire

The Hydrok range of hire solutions are specifically designed for rental to help in emergency situations where an existing plant problem requires a rapid solution.

This could be in the form of operational overload during seasonal peak periods, during planned maintenance activities, where extended plant capacity is needed or where a pilot or test of the new technology is required in an actual active situation.

The Hydrok-Mecana range of Pile Cloth Media Filters are available to treat flows ranging from 3 l/sec to 250 l/sec in stainless steel tank units, the standard size for hire is 3m x 4m. The system is designed for:n Tertiary phosphorus removal in combination with precipitation/flocculation bespoke design for Ptot consent from 1mg/l to less than 0.1mg/l n Tertiary Filtration for TSS reduction downstream of humus or secondary settlement tanks (<5mg/l TSS achievable)

n Micro-pollutant ‘Priority Substance’ removal Hydrok hire solutions are manufactured in our Hydrok Hire IoW Vol 189:IoW half pg 19/02/2016 10:16 Page 1

Units have been hired out to Thames Water for their Windsor WwTW and Sherborne in Wessex Water both to provide robust TSS compliance. Each hire unit is made in the Hydrok factory and transported to the required location for easy connection and rapid operational action. An additional UV/ Ultrasound disinfection can also be included in the outlet pipe should this be required.

For further information on the Hydrok wastewater treatment hire product range please contact Lewis O’Brien 01726 861900. lewis.obrien@hydrok. co.uk

Speak to us about our

Hire Solutions for Wastewater Treatment

The Hydrok range of hire solutions are specifically designed for rental to help in emergency situations where an existing plant problem requires a rapid solution for: • Operational overload during seasonal peak periods • During planned maintenance activities • Where extended plant capacity is needed • An active situation pilot or test of the new technology is required

Hydrok hire solutions are manufactured in our own factory ready to be installed as needed and include Hydrok-Mecana tertiary treatment stainless steel tanks for phosphorus removal, TSS reduction and 'priority substance' removal; the HY-SAF package treatment plant (IFAS technology) and HyER Diffuser Liftout Grids, both using ultra fine bubble aeration.

www.hydrok.co.uk

01726 861900

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sales@hydrok.co.uk

HWM

PERMANENT WATER LEAK DETECTION INSTALLATION SAVES MILLIONS OF KRONE IN COPENHAGEN HWM’s PermaNet allows HOFOR & Leif Koch to carry out five-year study Danish water leak detection specialist Leif Koch A/S has used HWM’s PermaNet to save millions of krone for Denmark’s largest utility company HOFOR. PermaNet allowed Leif Koch A/S, for the first time, to install 185 data loggers in Copenhagen on a permanent basis over a five-year period. The permanent installation enabled the company to quickly find out when and where a leak had occurred. Previously, the firm had used a lift-and-shift method and changed the location every 48 hours.

On just the second day of the project, the leak detection team identified a leak. Instead of tackling it, they decided to leave it and see how many days would elapse before the water reached the surface. After 10 days in which nothing happened, the team dug down to the leak and discovered that the water was running directly into the sewer.

“If we had conducted a study of this particular area using our old method a week before the leak began,” explained Kim Roar, team leader at HOFOR, “it would have been three years before we returned to this area and discovered the leak. In other words, the leak would have been continuously running into the sewer for three years. By our rough calculations, this leak alone would have cost us 1.2m krone [£116K].”

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Training and Consultancy Arco Training and Consultancy is a health and safety training provider, offering training management and delivery to companies across the UK and Ireland.

We offer support that’s designed to help clients identify their training needs, to ensure continuous health and safety improvements are made.

MORTAL RISK Working at Height • Training • Site Services • Fall Protection Systems

Confined Spaces • Bespoke Confined Space Training • Accredited Training • Breathing Apparatus Training

SAFETY COMPETENCE • Accredited Learning • NEBOSH • IOSH • CIEH • City and Guilds

INDUSTRIAL OCCUPATIONAL HYGIENE AND HEALTH • Noise Assessment • Air Quality Testing • Face Fit Testing

HAZARD CONTROL • Continual Support Services • Consultancy

For more information please visit: www.arco.co.uk or call 01482 611 769

HUBER

NORTHERN IRELAND AD FACILITY Heavy fraction removal initial report An existing anaerobic digestion plant in Northern Ireland takes in a mixture of food waste and green waste. In order to reduce the volume of grit in the system which causes a lot of blockages, sedimentation and wear issues, Huber were asked to look at the installing a grit removal plant between the hammermills and the soup stock tank.

A Huber Ro6 Bio with aeration and grit washing was selected to reduce the grit in the system. The grit trap allows settlement of the heavy fraction and an air circulation reduces the organics that settle in the tank. This heavy fraction is augured to the inlet end of the trap from where it is elevated and drained on an inclined auger. This heavy fraction is then washed and dewatered in a Huber RoSF G4E Bio grit washer to wash out the organics and provide a reduced volume for disposal.

The washed out organics are drained back to the grit trap. Retrofitting a longitudinal grit plant requires careful consideration and attention to pumping which Huber assisted in advising on.

Tony Clutten, Process Sales Manager for Huber Technology commented that: â&#x20AC;&#x153;the removal of grit and glass will dramatically improve the plants performance and reliability.â&#x20AC;?

For more details contact: Tony Clutten, Huber Technology Tel: 07525224521 or Email: tc@huber.co.uk www.huber.co.uk

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Distributor of valves, control valves, actuated valves and valve accessories

AIR OPERATED PINCH VALVES MANUAL PINCH VALVES CONTROL PINCH VALVES REDFLEX EXPANSION JOINTS TIDEFLEX CHECK VALVES

AR Valve Resources Limited Tel: +44 (0) 1227 719133 Fax: +44 (0) 1227 714919 Email: sales@ar-resources.com

www.ar-resources.com

SEVERN TRENT WATER ADOPTS MALVERN’S ZETASIZER Severn Trent Water adopts Malvern’s Zetasizer WT as its leading measure of clarification performance at Tittesworth WTW.

stability and reducing the risk of significant events from rapid naturally occurring changes in raw water quality.

Severn Trent Water, a leading UK supplier of water and waste water treatment services, has introduced the new Zetasizer WT, an innovative online zeta potential analyzer, to reduce operational risk and coagulant costs, at Tittesworth water treatment works (WTW).

Severn Trent has conducted the UK’s first trials which have successfully demonstrated the ability of online zeta potential measurements to provide reliable, continuous and fully automated clarification monitoring. Plans are now in place to extend application of the technology to other WTWs across the Severn Trent Water group.

Emma Sharp, Water Treatment and Quality Lead at Severn Trent Water, comments, “The installation of Malvern’s Zetasizer WT has been extremely beneficial in providing numerous improvements over lab based measurement in terms of rapid, real time data acquisition, while at the same time reducing reliance on manual analysis.”

The Zetasizer WT is a stand alone, fully automated analyzer that continuously monitors the properties of water during coagulation to provide precise and reliable data for optimizing chemical dosage levels. The associated optimization of charge neutralization processes results in substantial financial benefits due to a reduction in chemicals usage. The new system delivers highly sensitive analysis, via continuous monitoring with associated alarms, which enables a proactive response to changes in the process, resulting in minimal manual input whilst enhancing plant

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To find out more about the Zetasizer WT please visit: http://bit.ly/1QL4BNu For press information, please contact: Tel: +44 (0)1480 471059 Fax: +44 (0)1480 471069, gill.lancaster@kapleronline.com USA contact: Tel: +1 508 768 6400 Fax: +1 508 768 6403, tom.guenette@malvern.com Please send sales enquiries to: Alison Vines, Malvern Instruments Ltd, Enigma Business Park, Grovewood Road, Malvern, Worcestershire, WR14 1XZ, UK Tel: +44 (0) 1684 892456; Fax: +44 (0) 1684 892789 salesinfo@malvern.com

T-T PUMPS

EFFECTIVE DEWATERING EQUIPMENT FROM T-T Drainage pumps are essential for the movement of water from one location to another to ensure that surface flooding and nuisance water is removed quickly and efficiently. The process of dewatering is vital to a broad range of industrial, construction and commercial applications.

T-T have developed a range of products that ensure effective collection and transportation of surface and nuisance water where flooding would occur. Dewatering is a requirement during the construction phase, preventing flooding and solving a wide range of fluid handling problems. Due to this importance, T-T combine their expertise in manufacturing, supplying and installing dewatering solutions to provide customised, innovative equipment to their customers.

T-T supply equipment from a complete pumping station down to a single pump, suitable for all applications, whether it be storm water, drainage or sewage effluents.

The reliability of an electric submersible pump is essential for smooth operation, steady performance and continuous work cycles without

undesired system shutdowns. T-T’s Uniqa range of pumps utilise cutting-edge technical features such as the IE3 motor and patented cooling system which make the Uniqa a safe and reliable product.

Pipeline isolation is also essential to achieving effective dewatering solutions, T-T offer a full range of waterworks valves and associated ancillary equipment including the Aquavault resilient seat wedge gate valve which has a unique and lightweight ductile iron design making it suitable for both surface and waste water applications.

T-T provide a complete range of control equipment and after-sales service plans to ensure your equipment has a continuous and trouble free operation. To discuss your bespoke requirements get in touch with the T-T team on 01630 647200.

WASTEWATER DEWATERING SOLUTIONS • Chopper Pumps • Dewatering Pumps • Sewage Pumps • Isolation Valves • Control Systems • Float Switches

www.ttpumps.com Tel:01630 647200 Wastewater dewatering solutions.indd 1

29/02/2016 10:12:43

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DRAINSAID

DRAINSAID, WORKING WITH AMEY, TO PROVIDE RE-LINING SERVICES TO YORKSHIRE WATER DrainsAid, the specialist drainage and sewer rehabilitation division of Peter Duffy Ltd, has partnered with Amey, one of the UK’s leading public and regulated services companies, to provide relining services to Yorkshire Water.

Amey was recently awarded the contract to deliver waste water services across the whole of Yorkshire Water’s region and DrainsAid will be working with Amey on a variety of projects.

Since the work with Amey started in October 2015, DrainsAid has successfully undertaken

our reputation as drainage experts, particularly in the area of sewer rehabilitation.”

DrainsAid’s first planned projects with Amey began at the start of the October, with engineers carrying out a range of services including proactive lining and root intrusion works at a variety of large scale sites across South and West Yorkshire.

various sewer rehabilitation based projects for Yorkshire Water across the South and West Yorkshire regions, with DrainsAid working on both reactive residential drain repair and larger planned proactive schemes.

Jason Monaghan, Sales Manager at DrainsAid, said: “We have worked hard on developing relationships with engineering, utility and rail companies over recent years. Our work with Amey to support their contract with Yorkshire Water will further build

In addition, DrainsAid is currently averaging around 10 smaller sewer lining jobs per day from domestic and commercial properties that have a variety of drainage problems. Andrew Marshall, Performance & Continual Improvement Manager at Amey, said: “DrainsAid provides quality solutions combined with an excellent level of customer service, a philosophy that matches ours. We are delighted to be working with DrainsAid.” For more information on DrainsAid sewer rehabilitation or other commercial drainage services contact 0800 0180 123.

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WATER PROCESS SOLUTIONS

THE ENCORE®700 CAN METER A WIDE RANGE OF CHEMICALS A need for robust, reliable and consistently high performing chemical dosing systems has never been greater within our treatment industry.

With reliable, high performing long life assets, operators can turn attention to forward planning and innovation for continual gains and wider treatment advances.

The Encore®700 diaphragm and plunger metering pumps are a solid, no risk step in this advancement. Proven to operate decades in service, consistently delivering high metering performance across a vast array of chemicals it stands proud among its peers in today’s choices of chemical metering pumps.

Supplied and supported from Water Process Solutions in Kent, the pumps are configured specifically to suit each application - this ranges from simple water metering through classic treatment chemicals such as poly, lime, alum, hypo, caustic, ammonia and acids to perhaps less obvious fluids such as hydrazine, oil and vinegar.

The Encore®700 is a non loss motion pump, it is driven by a rotating crankshaft, where the eccentricity can be smoothly adjusted during operation.

There are no return springs, and the diaphragm or plunger moves with a simple harmonic motion. The fluid velocity profile is sinusoidal at all stroke lengths; adjusting stroke length simply alters the amplitude of the sine wave. This design allows pump valves to operate with far greater efficiency and minimal

system vibration. This design and build quality enables metering precision, reliability and longevity.

The Encore®700 can be configured to dose a wide range of chemicals with capacities of 2500 l/h and Plunger discharge pressures capable of 200 bar. Please contact us here at Water Process Solutions to discuss how the Encore®700 can benefit your metering application.

Contact us: aran.bray@waterprocesssolutions.com +44 (0) 7557363728

Changes at the top for Steve Vick International Steve Vick International (SVI) is pleased to announce the appointment of Andy White as Financial Director and Katie Higgins as Sales and Marketing Director.

Since outgrowing previous premises and moving to Bradford on Avon in 2014, the company has continued to expand and show steady advancements in new sectors such as nuclear decommissioning, water, export and contract services. To meet upturn in demand, the workforce has increased by over 20% in the last 2 years alone; which has contributed to the management restructure. The two new directorial appointments will help build on this momentum of expansion.

Over the past year, we have seen huge growth in the usage of Live Mains Insertion (LMI) across all gas distribution networks (GDN). Further growth is expected as GDN’s are starting to see the techniques primary benefits of reducing ‘time off gas’ and improving customer service. Since its foundation in 1981, SVI has been at the forefront in developing innovative products and techniques for the trenchless repair, renovation and decommissioning of pipes. The business has continued to expand and develop and this year will celebrate its 35th year in business.

Andy White

Kate Higgins

Financial Director

Sales and Marketing Director

Steve Vick International is delighted to announce the newly appointed Financial Director, Andy White, who joined the company in September 2015.

After nearly 10 years of progressive roles within the company, Katie Higgins has been appointed as Sales & Marketing Director.

Andy will bring a wealth of experience to the role, having spent eighteen years in various financial positions in manufacturing and engineering companies, most recently as Head of Finance at a major international company where he spent the last twelve years.

Previously Sales and Marketing Manager, Katie has built up an extensive knowledge of SVI products and specialist techniques used in the utilities sector. Most recently, the marketing department has launched a new user friendly website and modernised the companies branding.

In addition to his financial role and strategical input as a member of the board, Andy will be overseeing HR, IT and Commercial management.

Katie has been instrumental in developing export business as well as overseeing the launch of new innovations, worldwide.

Following nearly 25 years of invaluable service as Joint Managing and Financial Director, Tony Day chose to retire in December 2015, but will continue to act as a Non-Executive Director. Having worked alongside Tony as Joint Managing Director for the past 5 years, Crock Harrison will now be solely responsible for the day to day management of the company, as Managing and Technical Director.

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The cycle of solutions – water technology by KSB Water is crucial for our survival – for every one of us, for all nations and people.

Clean water supplies and efficient sewage treatment have never been more important.

Prosperity and well-being depend on it, worldwide. KSB’s know-how and extensive pumps and valves product range help you meet all water supply and treatment requirements, efficiently and affordably. We are one of the few suppliers worldwide with end-to-end solutions addressing all stages of the water cycle – from water extraction to sewage treatment.

• KSB Limited • 2 Cotton Way • Loughborough • Leicestershire • LE11 5TF • 01509 231872 • www.ksb.co.uk

Our technology. Your success.

Pumps Valves Service n

n

The 17th IWA UK National Young Water Professionals Conference 2016 30th March - 1st April 2016 University of East Anglia, Norwich, England Young professionals will be gathering in Norwich in March to discuss how to drive sustainability in the water industry.

This year’s conference is being hosted by Anglian Water and the University of East Anglia (UEA). The conference continues to be ambitious, hosting a larger and more diverse audience this year than ever before. Attendees include representatives from water companies, regulators, contractors and researchers. Inspiring guest speakers and young professionals will discuss the global issues affecting our industry, highlighting new innovative ideas and the latest research on sustainable development.

Expert speakers at the event include Professor Kevin Hiscock, Head of the School of Environmental Sciences at the UEA,

Paul Valleley, Director of Water Services at Anglian Water and Ian Limb, Head of HR at Portsmouth Water and Chair of the Board at the Institute of Water.

As well as presentations and workshops the conference will offer delegates the opportunity to network at a drinks reception and gala dinner in the heart of historic Norwich, and to see innovation in action at a nearby water treatment works or on the UEA campus itself.

Delegates at the event will also get the opportunity to attend a Careers Forum, featuring employers and professional organisations from across the country.

Don’t Miss Out! Tickets for the conference are £75 for IWA members and £84 for non members.

To register please email iwaukywp@gmail.com or call 07711 001812

Gender Diversity: Why women leave you and what to do about it It isn’t enough to just get the odd woman into senior positions.

Keeping them and building the pipeline is the next challenge.

Here’s what you have to know and do to foster female talent and avoid waste. By Averil Leimon of The White Water Group

The Leaking Pipe: Women keep leaving, and it’s costing companies millions The business case for more diversity in management teams is well established but it is worth remembering that there are clear costs in losing good people. The combination of recruitment and on-ramping costs for new hires typically represent 6 months of pay. Add that to the investment made to develop a woman to senior level. In which other part of a business would we allow such wastage to take place?

Bad leavers or silent leavers Nobody likes to be a bearer of bad news. Women in particular can acquire a reputation for being bad leavers if they outline that they don’t like the culture, the behaviours or the lack of fairness of their work environment.. Women tend to be loyal to their jobs. If they leave it is for a reason.

However, exit interviews are often useless. To quote a client: “they didn’t want to know when I was in the post, why should I tell them now?”

Recently we have carried out ‘real’ exit interviews with a number of female coaching clients and

other corporate contacts who had recently changed jobs. They felt they had to to progress in their careers.

Several factors lead to eventual disillusionment, e.g.: n outmoded command & control environment n behaviours that did not accord with stated values n bullying leadership style n aggressive and competitive boys’ games n the continuous inability to gain more visibility and recognition for achievements.

Moving from blame to collaboration There are two key ways to address this issue: Change the culture Change your women Initially, all diversity interventions were only about ’fixing the women’, as if there was something fundamentally wrong with them. Then, organisations realised that the environment might be contributing.

Five steps to get to the tipping point At White Water Women we are the experts in making lasting change happen. Our initial research with the London School of Economics on women and leadership forms the foundation of our thinking and we continue to assess and design what works best. What we have observed is that companies that run either start-stop initiatives or unconnected ones never got to the tipping point, where culture starts to change and you retain enough role models in the business to make desirable behaviours self-sustaining.

The overall approach is actually quite simple, but only the firms that follow through on all the steps actually get the benefit they are looking for.

The 5 elegantly simple steps that will lead to a transformed culture for women are:

Secret ingredients for success In addition, there are some constant success factors, some secret ingredients factors, which we have learned are critical to the success of any women’s leadership intervention:

This is about commercial success It is driven by a business imperative. It is about designing and developing the forward moving business of tomorrow, one that reflects the customer population it serves. It is not about being nice to the girls. We thrive on results and the way we measure that is in changed behaviour as well as specific metrics such as retention or time in role.

Real change comes from the top Those programmes that have had unequivocal top team sponsorship have been the most successful. Public support will help but, in most organisations, both men and women will ask: “is this serious?” A change to the reward system of the senior team will do more to pass the message than 50 speeches!

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FEATURE: DIVERSITY What about the men?

The media is full of examples of men behaving badly. So: n Where are the good fathers who raise respectful boys and confident girls?

Establish a Business Case There is always someone to convince

Make it Happen

Understand where the issues lie

Five Steps to get to the tipping point

Top-downs, Sideways, Any Way!

Not just metrics, beahviours and processes

Design Elegant Solutions Accelerate and Connect

Test till it’s right Pilot & Refine

n Where are the good leaders who demonstrate their values through their behaviour? n Where are the modern male role models who embody the best aspects of masculinity?

There is little open debate about the nature of masculinity and the good role models that younger men really need to aspire to and women want to relate to. Women are becoming increasingly vocal again about the value they bring to organisations, their changing roles, key strengths and the need for fairness. For some men, this can be a threat to their masculine values and the way of doing things that they have held to all their lives. Gender equality threatens emasculation if classic male qualities are undervalued, and even ridiculed, especially if women are clearly competing for jobs. However, men themselves are changing. While they may not yet be taking an entirely equal share in childcare responsibility and domestic chores, they want a more significant role in family life. Yet this is often ignored by their employers. The restraints of the way organisations currently function, make it difficult for men as well as women to have full and satisfying lives. It is in the best interest of both genders to respect and value the other’s characteristics. Otherwise all that is happening is a mere reversal of the polarity of prejudice.

Next steps Take advantage of other developments For example: the new breed of tech savvy men and women want the ability to work 24/7 but won’t necessarily sit in an office. Women are more likely to work throughout childbearing years and return to full engagement when they are judged by output rather than hours or geography.

Role models, mentoring and sponsorship are essential The best firms field a range of key senior leaders who will work to encourage women’s advancement. There are usually too few women available internally so it may be necessary to provide external role models from the field to prove it can be done. Men can themselves provide strong mentorship and sponsorship for emerging female talent, but will usually need some coaching in the skills required before being let loose on fellow employees

Treat it as a broader talent initiative Many companies are facing a ‘leadership cliff’: a whole generation of leaders are retiring and the battle to attract and retain successors is already ferocious. Being able to attract female graduates and middle managers is key to building the leadership pipeline. We are already observing a dirty war for talent at ‘emerging talent’ level.

Companies which foster and encourage women’s careers will be seen as the modern employers of choice, attracting the brightest talent and smartest graduates.

It’s double lonely for women at the top Sometimes simple observations dictate the solution: senior women face the normal solitude issues of men having reached the top: loss of trusted colleagues, new stakeholders, constant visibility, etc. It is often harder for women as their own peer network (and role models) will have whittled away over the years. Every senior woman should have a senior coach.

To find out more or simply compare your experience with ours, give us a call on +44 (0) 20 7036 8899 or drop us a line at info@whitewatergroup.com If you want to Find Your Leadership Voice here’s the link to our next open programme http://whitewatergroup.eu/women/fylv/ If you want to talk to us about programmes for women further information: http://whitewatergroup.eu/women If you would like to purchase our very practical book Coaching Women to Lead: http://bit.ly/1S6tF4n

It just works.

Building the system There are many more tips & tricks. Some are industry specific, other relates to your existing gender mix and culture and past efforts. There are subtle ways a company can signal that this is not the place for women. The tipping point will be reached through a skilful blend of major interventions and attention to seemingly insignificant details. Only systemic approaches – working from the inside out – have lasting and effective outcomes. Which are you looking for?

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MWH

PR19 signals the need for a functionalised approach to cost capture and analysis Jason Mumm and Jon Darwent of Hawksley Consulting (the new name for MWH’s Management Consulting services) say experience from the US shows a functionalised approach will provide the UK water industry with the detailed cost information it needs to implement a vision of increased competition and more affordable bills.

The UK has led the world in its vision for the nation’s water industry, having been one of the first countries to privatise its water utilities, as early as the 1980s. Now Ofwat’s latest Water 2020 strategy and PR19 offers a vision for a water industry less dependent on regulatory price enforcement and more open to competitive pressure, where and when competition is feasible and likely to lead to economic efficiencies.

One of the key components of the new strategy is the goal of creating competitive markets through the separation of wholesale activities. However, developing a competitive market without causing economic harm to the regulated asset base will require cost knowledge that does not currently or readily exist. And this is where we believe we can learn from the US and their ‘functionalised approach’.

Ofwat has identified the provision of water resources and sludge management as potential markets and signalled the separation of price controls for the following activities: n Water resources; n Water networks plus - i.e. raw water distribution, water treatment and treated water distribution; n Wastewater networks plus - i.e. collection and treatment n Sludge treatment, transport and disposal.

PR19 requires greater granularity of the industry’s cost information.

The issue is that without greater granularity of the industry’s cost information, much of the ambition expressed in Ofwat’s latest consultation cannot become reality. Ofwat will be developing guidance for this accounting separation and the information companies will need to provide, during the next financial year (2016/17). So it’s clear that a sensible solution that can be implemented relatively quickly needs to be

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found as soon as possible. It will also need to have enough standardisation to gain the trust and attract the participation of both new and incumbent providers, and at the same time keep the regulatory function efficient and effective.

a uniform chart of accounts early in its history.

This was a means of ensuring that detailed cost information was available for regulatory needs, and such information was more or less standardised from one company to the next.

The industry will need to establish a framework to capture functional and activity-based expenditure across these categories to support benchmarking and the potential for market separation. Fortunately, there are examples from international experience – particularly from the US, that can help with this.

That system of accounts is built around a concept known as functionalisation.

While the US is behind the UK in many aspects of utility management processes, obtaining granular cost data for regulated water entities is not one of them. Indeed, the US’s regulatory system adopted

What is a functionalised approach to accounts?

Under a functionalised approach, the major components of the system are grouped together by their principle functions to create a series of connected yet separate cost centres. Operating costs are recorded directly to cost codes that map to these functions in a simple parent-child

FEATURE: INTERNATIONAL CASE STUDIES

hierarchy. Last but not least, capital costs flow into similar codes based on the company’s asset investment and capital maintenance. A simple numbering system is used to distinguish functions from one another, operating costs from capital costs, and every manner of detail.

While all of this sounds logical, implementing it is no small undertaking and requires significant changes to complex accounting systems.

Despite the regulated utilities in the US being required to use a standardised chart of accounts, the bulk of US water utilities, (namely the 25,000 or so municipal utilities owned and operated by local governments), do not comply with a standardised model.

These utilities have varying accounting conventions, but still require detailed cost knowledge. This is not to meet regulatory demands, but to ensure the tariffs charged to their customers can be justified in detail. They use an allocation approach that mimics the functionalised approach discussed above.

There are different ways to accomplish this, but the best approaches rely on the use of

complimentary systems like asset management records, fixed asset accounting, and work order processes to identify costs incurred and allocate them to functions.

In this way, the allocation process is a mapping of costs from large, undefined cost codes into smaller and more useful ones based on gathered facts and rationale.

Assessing preparedness for this key challenge for PR19 In advance of formal accounting separation guidelines from Ofwat, companies can assess their state of preparedness. They should undertake an independent assessment of current cost capture, allocation and reporting approaches and answer key questions such as those below. This will help to identify data, system and procedural gaps and enable them to commence their preparations to meet this key challenge for PR19:

The key questions for water companies: n What proportion of capital expenditure is not tagged to specific assets?

n Are there current cost coding guidelines and is their adherence regularly audited? n To what level can consumables expenditure be traced? n What proportion of in-house, contract and outsourced staff complete activity / asset based timesheets?

Separating costs in this fashion provides a vivid amount of granular cost information. What’s more, it organises cost data in a logical way that maps perfectly to the collection of assets and operational activities that define the everyday operations of a water utility business.

With discreet cost data separated by function, it becomes much easier to evaluate incentives, monitor and benchmark costs across the entire industry, and further develop cost reflective tariffs for different user groups. In other words, a functionalised cost approach is the solid foundation we need to accomplish many of the more advanced objectives outlined in Ofwat’s Water 2020 vision and requirements signalled for PR19.

Ofwat’s latest Water 2020 strategy and PR19 offers a vision for a water industry less dependent on regulatory price enforcement and more open to competitive pressure, where and when competition is feasible and likely to lead to economic efficiencies.

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AQUAM

Lessons learned in Flint Michigan could help UK

The Nu Line epoxy is poured into the pipe.

The three stages of lining with Nu Flow's blownin Nu Line epoxy system.

A restored Nu Line coated pipe.

By Dermot Finn

speedier return to secure supplies for the residents.

Once the pipe is restored to its original diameter, a patented epoxy lining is blown through, which acts as a barrier between the metallic interior surface of the pipe and the water flow.

Operations Manager, Nu Flow It is very rare to find the issue of pipe corrosion at the centre of a national and international news story, but that is exactly what has happened in Flint Michigan, where a disastrous series of events has left 100,000 residents with an unsafe water supply. Residents of the city are now relying on bottled water for drinking and washing after improperly treated river water corroded the city pipework, leading to unhealthy levels of lead contamination.

A state of emergency was declared in December 2015 and, according to the city mayor, the residents of Flint now face a US$1.5 billion repair bill including the cost of replacing every lead pipe still in use across the city.

Happily no city in the UK is facing a drinking water crisis. In fact the European standard for lead has been tightened and now stands at 10μg/l.

According to the Drinking Water Inspectorate (DWI), in 2014, there were just 84 failures at the tighter standard (10μg/l) in England, with 70 of these confirmed as being due to customer-owned pipes and plumbing in older housing.

However there are an estimated 10 million homes across 22 utilities which are connected to the mains network by lead supply pipes. And there are lessons to be learned from the Flint Michigan disaster – both about the dangers of underestimating corrosion – and about the new technologies emerging which can help fix the problem of lead supply pipes and household plumbing for good.

Low-cost repairs Aquam Corp recently opened the European headquarters of its pipeline infrastructure business in Manchester, UK. The company’s portfolio includes a suite of versatile pipelining technologies which could slash the cost of repairing the pipework of Flint and offer a

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Aquam has written to the US Environment Protection Agency to explain how its subsidiary Nu Flow’s blown-in epoxy system could be used as a safe, long-term solution to protect the residents of Flint from the risk of lead contamination.

By using pipe lining technologies rather than a rip-out and replace, Aquam’s specialist technologies make it possible to create a barrier between the drinking water and the existing lead pipework that completely prevents lead from leaching into the water system.

Nu Line was originally developed by the US Navy for protecting pipework on board aircraft carriers and has been adapted by Nu Flow for use in domestic drinking water systems and can be installed at one-third of the cost of replacing pipes.

Soon to be introduced to the UK, this tried and tested technology has been approved in the US for use in drinking water applications for over 20 years.

UK contract

Authorities in Flint have already changed the way they treat the river water, adding chemical phosphates, which will, over time, coat the interior of cast iron water pipes, preventing further corrosion. However, the city authorities are now facing increased public pressure to identify, rip-out and completely replace all the remaining lead pipework in the water system which serves Flint.

Given the greater flexibility given to utilities in infrastructure investment decision-making in the current Asset Management Programme (AMP6), relining should prove a much more attractive option as water suppliers move to further reduce the lead content in potable water.

The suggested alternative, which would cut costs dramatically, would make it impossible for lead from pipes to leach into the system and would not require the active management of a purely chemical approach. Interestingly, similar technology which is also part of Aquam’s portfolio, is already offering a cheaper way for UK utilities to maintain customer protection from lead in drinking water.

Epoxy coating Aquam’s Serline technology can be used on pipes of the smallest diameter - in the 10 to 300mm range, so is suitable for customer-side supply pipes and even household plumbing. It has full Water Regulation Advisory Scheme (WRAS) and DWI approval.

Like Nu Line, the Serline process involves scouring the existing pipes to clear out corrosive deposits.

Aquam has already been awarded a contract to reline lead supply pipes for 30,000 homes by a major UK utility using Serline technology – with negotiations underway with a number of other water suppliers and contractors.

As the events in Michigan show, we ignore the possible consequences of corrosion and lead contamination at our peril, but new technologies could show a way through even the most challenging events.

For further information, please contact: Phil Walker, Aquam Water Services T: +44 (0)7867 356218 E: pwalker@aquamcorp.co.uk W: www.nuflowtech.com

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Grit: Are you seeing the whole story?

When it comes to grit, it’s what is missed that costs.

By removing more, finer grit using Advanced Grit Management™ we believe most UK WWTPs can achieve operating, energy and maintenance savings.

Hydro’s innovative and internationally-proven HeadCell® advanced grit removal system is now available in the UK. To find out what your plant is missing, request a free on-site trial with our pilot unit.

Call: 01353 645700 or visit www.hydro-int.com

Advanced Grit Management™

Introducing HeadCell® Advanced grit removal system

FEATURE: INTERNATIONAL CASE STUDIES

HEAVYWEIGHT GRIT REMOVAL SYSTEM FOR CALGARY WASTEWATER TREATMENT PLANT Canada’s Bonnybrook wastewater treatment plant in the City of Calgary has invested in a high-performance Advanced Grit Management® system from Hydro International to remove high volumes of grit as an essential contribution to operating efficiency.

To serve the City’s growing population, Bonnybrook, one of Calgary’s three wastewater treatment plants, has installed the world’s largest ever HeadCell® grit removal, classifying and dewatering system to protect downstream processes from abrasion and grit deposition and thereby reduce maintenance and operating costs.

The City of Calgary has installed the world’s largest ever HeadCell® grit removal, classifying and dewatering system

Designed to treat a peak flow rate of 1,390 megaliters/day (368 MGD), the system had to be built in limited available space and still cope with the unique characteristics of the influent wastewater at Bonnybrook, including wide variations in flow caused by dry summers and peak winter thaw.

Bonnybrook’s Grit Challenge “High performance grit removal is important to achieve lower operation and maintenance costs and retain the specified capacity of downstream process units, such as bioreactors, fermenters and digesters,” says Senior Project Engineer Zorica Knezevic, City of Calgary Water Resources. “For example, we had noted that up to 20% of the digesters’ tank volume was taken by settled grit with the previous technology. Wear and tear on equipment was also a factor, and removing grit was part of periodic maintenance; we estimated it at approximately 6,000 man hours annually.”

Climate-driven grit headaches Adequate grit removal is particularly important to Calgary’s wastewater treatment given the city’s location and topography. The largest city in Alberta and the fourth largest in Canada with over one million people, Calgary is situated on the confluence of the Bow and Elbow Rivers. Warm dry summers produce plenty of wind-blown dust and sand and in the severe northern prairie winters, heavy ice and snow are frequently interrupted by warm Chinook winds that sweep up from the south as the Arctic fronts temporarily retreat. The resultant rapid thaws can leave the streets awash with runoff and sand used for winter road safety.

While much of Calgary’s sewer system is sanitary sewer, significant portions of the old sewers are combined stormwater and sanitary systems. The collected wastewater leads to high concentrations of grit in the raw sewage as well as much additional grit carried in highway runoff.

Grit Characterisation A grit characterisation study determined the plant influent grit gradation and settling velocity as well as evaluating the performance of the existing aerated grit chamber system.

The study found that the existing grit system was removing only 26-29% of the influent grit. It also identified the reason: virtually all of the influent grit had a settling velocity lower than a 212 micron sphere of silica sand, a conventional design point, for which the original plant was designed.

Pat Herrick, Regional Sales Manager for Hydro International, added: “Grit characterisation to determine the size distribution and settling velocity profile of the influent grit is essential when designing a new grit removal system for a plant of this size.

“By having the grit characterisation data available, the consulting engineers Stantec were able to work with the City to determine the grit removal system performance requirements that formed part of the system specification. These requirements were part of a pre-selection Request for Quotation that was written by Stantec.”

The Request for Proposals package included the native grit characterization data, project performance requirements as well as performance testing and penalty requirements. Hydro International was pre-selected based on its ability to remove grit particles as fine as 75 micron along with other performance and operational features, together with a proven track record at other regional installations with similar performance requirements.

Big protection, small footprint The complete headworks process includes new 6 mm bar screens, screenings washer/compactors and new screenings conveyors. Each of the ten HeadCell® units then removes and concentrates fine grit, which is pumped to a SlurryCup™ classifier unit that cleans the grit to minimize the

associated organic material. Washed out organic material is returned to the treatment plant.

The washed grit slurry flows by gravity to a Grit Snail® dewatering unit to produce a dewatered grit with an average of no more than 20% volatile solids by weight and greater than 60% total solids. There are five Grit Snail® units, each with two SlurryCup™ units mounted on top. This configuration saves space and capital cost.

Washed grit is disposed of to landfill. It has to pass the standard ‘paint filter’ test - an assessment of free-draining liquid from waste solids through standard filters.

Guaranteed grit removal rate Each of the ten HeadCell® units supplied to the upgraded Bonnybrook WWTP meets the peak flow specification of removing 95% of all grit at 150 micron and larger, at Specific Gravity (SG) 2.65, at a flow of 1390 Megalitres/day (368 MGD) from screened sewage. At the normal flow design maximum of 418 ML/d (110 MGD) the units will remove 95% of all grit of 75 microns (SG 2.65) and larger from screened sewage.

Commissioning included successful performance testing of the Hydro grit removal system by an independent third party.

Zorica Knezevic concludes: “After commissioning, the Bonnybrook grit removal plant continues to perform well.”

To learn more about Advanced Grit Management email enquiries@hydro-int.com, call 01353 645700, or visit www.advancedgritmanagement.com

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FEATURE: INTERNATIONAL CASE STUDIES

NIVUS wins framework with Thames Water The manufacturer gets the 3+3 year contract for the first time with their flow range products The Leamington based company with its German headquarters will be supplying ultrasonic as well as radar flow measurement systems to Thames Water´s sewage treatment and channel networks.

The multi-million value framework offers many possibilities to co-op and to gain synergies on both sides.

“We are both proud and pleased to win this framework for the first time“ says Marcus Fischer, Managing Director of NIVUS GmbH & NIVUS Ltd. It underscores the ambition of the flow measurement supplier for their state of the art system solutions. For example there are high accurate flow systems detecting real-time flow profiles even under difficult hydraulic conditions.

David Miles, Thames Business Manager and Environmental Manager with NIVUS UK “I look forward to the cooperation. The NIVUS flow measurement products bring a complement and

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consequent addition for Thames Water to their previous flow measuring systems in use.” NIVUS adds new flow measurement systems with easy and quick assembly for pipe systems and also for open channel measurement.

Especially for bigger pipes their pipe sensor solutions offer additional advantages in terms of cost and sustainability. Listening to market needs NIVUS identified the potential for a greener, more cost effective and removable flow measurement device for full and partially full pipes that can match the accuracy and applications of conventional flow measurement systems but at a fraction of the cost.

“NIVUS is especially characterized by the wideranging product portfolio of flow measurement sensors. With a quick assembly and low material needs NIVUS products are a cost-effective and eco-friendly alternative to other measurement methods“, says Alison Southwood, Innovation Manager. “On the basis of our large product portfolio NIVUS is able offer optimum flow solution for almost every application.”

Smart systems complement the NIVUS flow measurement range needed especially in times where IoT is not only a buzz-word. The smart data logger and transmitter are able to provide data even without mains power supply. To enhance the flow solutions the manufacturer offers web based data portals as well as a scalable SCADA system for automated multi-site control and overview.

LOCKEN

LOCKEN leads the way to secure Europe’s water sector The challenge of securing sensitive water sites, where access is required by a variety of authorised personnel, has never been greater than it is today.

The water industry is increasingly recognising the need to improve its infrastructure, moving away from traditional mechanical locking systems and looking to key-centric electronic solutions for robust and traceable access management. The next generation of access control solutions must therefore reach ever-higher standards of system intelligence, flexibility and security, while also delivering value for money.

LOCKEN manages more than 25,000 access points within the European water sector, and has a proven track record as the leading integrator of a secure and traceable access management solution, based on the innovative CyberLock™ technology.

Software is at the heart of this unique solution, which is applied using a smart digital key and digital cylinders that ensure it is leading the way, in terms of flexibility and reliability. It also means that LOCKEN is able to tailor the solution so that, where necessary, it offers a unique system to businesses within the water sector.

administering the access to sites using old mechanical keys can often be significant.

Nick Dooley, MD at LOCKEN UK Ltd explains the importance of secure access management within such large companies. “Locations will often have high risk of attack as they are isolated, remote with unattended facilities and visited infrequently by personnel performing maintenance tasks.

Vandalism accounts for 95% of all reported incidents, and the cost of the repairs plus

“There is still a long way to go before the water sector can claim it is fully utilising the most robust and reliable access control systems on the market though,” says Nick, “and although there is a clear recognition by the industry that this is the ideal security solution for the future there remains some nervousness about how, when and where to invest in this change.

“We are keen to address this anxiety by educating and informing the industry about our key-centric solution, which can offer not only enhanced security and access management, but can also increase service quality, operational performance and reduce the risk of workplace accidents.”

For further information about LOCKEN UK visit www.locken.eu or telephone 0203 6911610.

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AVK UK LTD

Engineering site solutions AVK UK Ltd Delighted to announce the launch of Engineering Site Solutions As part of AVK UK’s drive to provide their customers with SOLUTIONS, NOT JUST PRODUCTS, one of the 8 customer promises under their Expect… brand initiative, AVK have launched their Engineering Site Solutions package delivered by Invicta Valves Ltd. The official launch took place at the Future Water Association offices in Kenilworth, Warwickshire on 24 November 2015, with a 30 strong audience which comprised of all aspects of interest from site engineers through to UK business stakeholders. They had all aspects of the capabilities demonstrated to them through case studies, as well as being supplied information on key support locations and contacts.

The actual site capability was further illustrated by a demonstration of plant and equipment.

Invicta Valves, a member of the AVK Group since 2010 who have over 30 years experience in offering site solution packages relating to valve and penstock installation, actuation and refurbishment, are the delivery partners for the Engineering Site Solutions initiative and as such have extended their scope of works to include for example, network leakage management solutions, project management and full valve/ pump chamber refit and refurbishment.

Invicta Valves have gained an excellent reputation for designing, manufacturing in their own workshops, supplying and installing bespoke equipment to resolve particularly challenging installation issues to tight deadlines; a reputation which has led to them being retained on some of the largest projects in the UK for their “one stop shop” approach.

The Engineering Site Solutions package is supported by 43 fully trained site, sales and engineering professionals operating from 6 locations spread from Prestwick in Scotland to Maidstone in Kent.

through Invicta Valves, is such a huge benefit for our Utility Customers and their Delivery Partners.

When you consider that AVK’s unrivalled breadth of product offer now including a specialised site solutions package delivered by highly competent site engineers, can now be quoted, supplied and installed through a single point…think of the efficiencies in time, project management and therefore cost that this can deliver…”

Further information including the full range of the offer, case studies and contact details can be found by visiting www.avkuk.co.uk/ engineeringsitesolutions

Kieran Fitzpatrick, Head of UK Marketing for AVK commented after the launch: “ …this unique “one stop shop approach that AVK are offering

BECKTON SEWAGE TREATMENT WORKS ‘Over the past 3 years Invicta Valves have carried out ‘supply and installation’ work on the Beckton Sewage Treatment Works.

Beckton Sewage Treatment Works is the largest works in Europe and the project valued at £63million.

Invicta received invitations to tender on the 3 scopes of works; penstock supply and install, refurbishment of gate valves, plug valves and 96off disc flushing valves and also the supply of valves for the new sludge pumping station.

Through the ability to demonstrate added value by offering a supply, fit and refurbish package which covered all three scopes, Invicta Valves landed the order which when complete was valued at £1.1million.

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As part of the package, Invicta valves supplied and installed 110 penstocks which were required to replace either existing penstocks, flap valves or dam boards; the majority of the Penstocks were Rotork actuated with Profibus controls.

Special extension spindles and brackets were designed and manufactured in Grade 316 stainless steel by Invicta Valves to connect the various penstocks and disc flushing valves up to the operating levels.

All the necessary equipment required to carry out the installation was also supplied by Invicta Valves.

John Sutcliffe the MD of Invicta valves commented: “We were successful in winning the scheme as we proposed early on in our presentations that we could offer a full supply, fit and refurbishment capability and therefore cover the scope of all three packages. We were also able to demonstrate our commitment to quality and our willingness to work with them to add value…”

Invicta Valves are engaged in other key projects, case studies can be found using their website.

EXPEct SolUtIonS, not JUSt ProdUctS

EngInEErIng SItE SolUtIonS As part of our strategy to provide ‘solutions, not just products’, AVK UK, through Invicta Valves now offer full Engineering Site Solutions to support our unrivalled water and waste water product range.

We are able to deliver both our product’s and service’s through a variety of supply options from emergency, through short term planned to full scheduled deliveries to suit you and your client’s requirements.

SErVIcES

• • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •

One stop shop Project management Site audit / feasibility Valve replacement and refurbishment Valve / pump chamber refurbishment Penstock installation and commission Network leakage management Supply and fit repair solutions Under-pressure connections / hot tapping / flow stopping Pipe relining Chlorination Pipe measurement Pipeline supply and installation Warranty projects Specialist design Bespoke solutions and design packages

For All EnqUIrIES And FUrthEr InFormAtIon

AVK UK: +44 (0) 1604 601188 Invicta northern office: +44 (0) 1925 594472 / 74 Invicta Southern office: +44 (0) 1622 754613 AVK UK email: ess@avkuk.co.uk Invicta email: ess@invictavalves.co.uk

www.avkuk.co.uk/engineeringsitesolutions

FEATURE: INTERNATIONAL CASE STUDIES

SILICON VALLEY ATTACKS THM PROBLEM WITH NOVEL TECHNOLOGY

Figure 1. Interior of the 45 Ml More Avenue Reservoir with PAX surface aerators and submersible mixers operating

By Dr. Peter S. Fiske and Mr. Ethan Brooke Trihalomethanes (THMs) are one of the most commonly occurring disinfection by-products in drinking water systems throughout the world. Formed as part of the water disinfection process, THMs have been growing in recent years in both the UK and abroad due to increases in organic loading in source waters, increases in water age in some water distribution systems, and increases in bromide levels in some water systems.

Conventional approaches to deal with THMs involve wholesale changes to treatment plants: improving the removal of organics during treatment, changing primary disinfection, or switching to a secondary disinfectant such as chloramines which have a lower rate of THM formation.

San Jose Water Company, situated in the heart of Silicon Valley, and water supplier to Apple, Google and other high-tech businesses, confronted the THM problem in 2014. Like many other water utilities in the United States, San Jose Water has faced unprecedented challenges due to drought – reducing both the supply and the quality of water sources for the city.

San Jose Water considered several options, including dosing powdered activated carbon (PAC) during the treatment process, but the volumes of PAC required to significantly lower THM levels and the cost and reliability of the process was problematic. San Jose Water Company chose a different path: Trihalomethane Removal System (TRS) in-tank aeration in their distribution system.

Figure 2. Measurements of total trihalomethanes (TTHMs) entering the tank (orange) and leaving the tank (blue) with the TRS in operation.

Note that the difference in THMs leaving the tank is the net amount after formation inside the tank and removal by aeration design consisted of seven surface aerators, modified to improve their efficiency at removing THMs and three PAX Mixers to efficiently deliver water into the process zone created by each aerator (Figure 1).

The aeration system installation was completed in mid-August<?>. Average THM levels in water leaving the More Avenue reservoir have fallen by more than 50% and removal rates were confirmed by turning the system on and off and measuring THM levels (Figure 2). San Jose held a ribbon-cutting ceremony to recognize the hard work of all the members of the team. And, the promising new approach to water quality improvement was featured in an article in the San Jose Mercury Newspaper.

“Most of the time, water utilities prefer to stay out of the news,” notes PAX Water CEO Dr. Peter Fiske. “But in this instance, we had a great story to tell: a major water utility used science to anticipate a potential problem, and innovative technology and engineering to deliver a solution.”

The first ever installation of a TRS in the UK was completed in the Summer of 2015 in Oban, Scotland, where it has reduced THM levels by over 50%. Peter and the team at PAX are looking forward to working with other institutions in the UK on THM treatment.

THMs are volatile compounds, and will naturally evaporate out of drinking water if given the chance to do so (this is the reason that the principal source of exposure to THMs is when people take showers). The new approach called TRS, pioneered by PAX Water Technologies, Inc. utilizes novel mixing and aeration technologies inside service reservoirs to physically remove THMs after they have formed.

In San Jose, the area of the distribution system with the most elevated THM levels was in the western part of the system. Water that supplies this area is stored at the 45 Ml More Avenue service reservoir. Five sample locations downstream of the reservoir showed significant elevations in THM levels. While the water system remained in compliance, water company managers at San Jose Water wanted to eliminate the risk of a future operational exceedance in the summer of 2014 – when THM levels were expected to be highest.

On a tight timeline, PAX used modeling software to iteratively design and optimize the aeration system for energy efficiency and THM removal. The final

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Figure 3. Validation of the performance of the TRS was conducted by turning the system off, measuring the rebound in THM levels, then turning the TRS back on, and observing their decline

HWM

Intrinsically-safe wastewater data logger offers GPRS telemetry Unit can be combined with ultrasonic level, pressure / depth or temperature sensors Water and asset monitoring specialist HWM has developed an intrinsically-safe data logger for wastewater applications. When combined with the SonicSens 2 level sensor or third-party sensors, the new Intelligens WW can be used to monitor open channels, combined sewer overflows, storm drains, storage tank levels and flood warning alarm sensors.

The standard Intelligens WW system comprises one or two ultrasonic level sensors with an ATEX Zone 0-certified data logger. The unit’s multiinput functionality means it can also be used in combination with digital pressure or depth sensors, as well as simple level or temperature sensors. Data and alarms are transmitted via GPRS, with an option for SMS backup. A 3G modem variant is also available.

Ultrasonic measurement is non-contact and low maintenance. This quality, allied to robust

construction and long battery life, makes the Intelligens WW suitable for ‘fit and forget’ operations in remote or hard-to-access locations.

Two-way connectivity allows the data logger to be remotely reprogrammed, avoiding the need for unscheduled and expensive site visits. Should a new alarm condition arise, the logger triggers an alert which can be sent to multiple recipients.

When an alarm event occurs the unit’s accelerated sampling frequency and data transmission options allow the user to monitor and respond to changing conditions with much greater confidence.

The unit’s low-power electronics ensure that the five-year battery life is maintained even after increased transmission rates during alarm conditions are factored in. The internal battery can be supplemented with solar power or external battery packs.

Please send enquiries to, Caroline Smith at HWM-Water Ltd. Ty Coch House, Llantarnam Park Way, Cwmbran, NP44 3AW Tel: +44 (0)1633 489 479 Fax: +44 (0)1633 877 857 Email: marketing@hwm-water.com

TONY CONWAY JOINS BRITISH WATER BOARD AS CHIEF EXECUTIVE STEPS DOWN Trade organisation British Water has announced changes to its governing board, with the appointment of Professor Tony Conway and the departure of Chief Executive Ashley Roe. Professor Tony Conway, left, who during his time at United Utilities was known as ‘Director of Curiosity’ is an expert on innovation within the water sector. One of the best known and most widely respected figures in the industry, he is a Visiting Professor at the University of Sheffield Water Centre and acts as a consultant to a range of organisations operating in the water industry in the UK and around the world.

Tony Williams, Chairman of British Water said: “British Water is delighted to welcome Professor Tony Conway to the board. He has immense experience and a fantastic reputation within the industry.”

Roe steps down Mr Williams also announced current Chief Executive Ashley Roe is to step down from his role. Lloyd Martin, Chairman of the British Water International Forum and Strategic Counsel at Bluewater Bio will take over as interim Chief Executive with immediate effect.

Williams said: “It is with great sadness that we announce the departure of Ashley Roe, for personal reasons. He has been an active member of British Water for fifteen years.

“As Chief Executive for the last two years Ashley Roe has helped strengthen the organisation and overseen a significant increase in membership. He has helped ensure British Water remains fully engaged with our members, keeping them up to date with research and regulation, offering opportunities for business development as well as ensuring British Water

is giving the water industry a voice both at a national and an international level.”

Links with academia British Water Chairman Tony Williams said the appointment of Prof Conway reflected a wish for the organisation to strengthen its relationship with UK utilities and with academia.

He said: “British Water is actively seeking to strengthen its working relationship with UK utilities and with thirty years experience in United Utilities, rising to become an Executive Director of the company, Professor Conway has a comprehensive and in-depth understanding of the way the industry works.

“It is also increasingly important for our members to keep abreast with the latest academic research and development."

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TECHNOLOG

Advanced pressure management - City of Cape Town n Awareness and education efforts have helped to create consumer support for water use efficiency in the area n In this local context the reduction of leakage reduces consumptive use as in this location leakage is generally lost to saline sources

Outcomes and Challenges

Project Overview Khayelitsha is one of the largest townships in South Africa with a population of 450 000. It is located approximately 20km from Cape Town Central Business District on the Cape Flats, a large flat sandy area at or near sea level. In the early 2000s, an investigation into leakage levels established that the water lost could almost fill an Olympic sized swimming pool every hour. The main source was identified as household leakage and in particular poor quality plumbing fittings which have been badly damaged through constant exposure to high pressure. Such leakage resulted in very high water use in most properties and high levels of non-payment since the customers could not afford to pay for new taps and toilet fittings, let alone their high water bills.

The Khayelitsha Pressure Management Project was commissioned in 2001 to improve the level of service to the Khayelitsha community. One of Technolog’s advanced PRV controllers was installed to reduce the excessive water pressure and pressure fluctuations in the reticulation system, particularly during the off-peak periods of low demand. Resultant water savings were immediate, sustainable and exceeded the most optimistic projections, amounting to almost 40% of the original supply.

The average daily flow was reduced from 2 500m3/hr to 1500m3/hr representing an annual saving of 9,000,000 m3 or approximately 40% of the original water use. The Minimum Night Flow was reduced from 1 600m3/hr to 750m3/hr.

Local labour was used throughout the project and the community support was a key factor in the successful implementation of the project. It should be noted that the latest estimates of savings achieved from the installation made by the municipality of Cape Town suggest financial savings of $5m per year. This project remains fully operational more than twelve years after it was commissioned with support form a Technolog engineer. The sustainability of this project is due to continued support from competent and dedicated personnel within the municipality of Cape Town who took over the operation and maintenance of the installation shortly after commissioning.

Regulo Advanced Pressure Controller A proven solution for reducing leakage and burst frequency

TECHNOLOG

Key Elements n Measurement of night flows to estimate leakage levels n Extensive community consultation and participation at all stages of the project created favourable conditions for project implementation n Labour-based construction using locally available labour was an important part of the project and a prerequisite for community support n Advanced pressure management techniques were employed to reduce the excessive water pressure and pressure fluctuations in the reticulation system n Financing of $700,000 was provided by the municipality

Key Outcomes n Major savings on water purchases from the bulk water supplier: four month payback n Reduced wastage of water through leakage repairs especially on internal reticulation networks n Water savings of approximately 9,000,000m3/yr achieved representing $5m per annum of bulk water purchases

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Using Regulo with an existing PRV brings intelligent cost effective control and data logging to your network.

Optimising pressure can deliver significant leakage savings, dramatic reduction in burst frequency, increased asset life and a calmer network. Ÿ Flow, time or advanced closed loop control Ÿ Supports real-time feedback from Cello

data loggers installed at critical points

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MWH ARE PROUD SPONSORS OF THE INSTITUTE OF WATER’S NATIONAL INNOVATION AWARDS The National Innovation Awards is a highly anticipated event which acknowledges the creative excellence of some of the most innovative individuals and companies from within the UK water and sewerage sector.

Paul Gledhill, Managing Director MWH, is judging the awards

This year’s winner will be selected from the seven regional finalists and will be announced during the President’s Dinner at the Institute of Water’s Annual Conference and Exhibition held on 12-13 May at the Council House, Birmingham.

MWH is pleased to be sponsoring the Innovation Awards and recognises the leading role the Institute of Water plays in developing talent and cultivating innovation across the Industry.

Paul Gledhill, Managing Director MWH, is once again on the judging panel and is looking forward to reviewing the regional winner’s submissions.

“The standard of submissions last year was excellent making deciding upon a winner extremely difficult. Given the depth of talent we have across the Industry and our track record for innovation I have high expectations that this year’s submissions will be of a similar standard”.

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The 2016 finalists include: Eastern Typhon Treatment Systems Ltd: Utility Scale UV LED Water Treatment Typhon Treatment Systems Ltd. Is developing the world's first high capacity, utility-scale ultraviolet (UV) light emitting diode (LED) water treatment system.

Conventional mercury lamp UV water treatment equipment is power hungry, is difficult to maintain, and contains toxic material. Typhon's technology uses up to 90 percent less energy, requires minimal maintenance, and uses no toxic mercury.

Typhon is developing two product lines.

One is for biological sterilization to protect against exposure to organisms like Cryptosporidium, and the second is to treat chemical contaminants like metaldehyde. Water and wastewater utilities in the UK and elsewhere have expressed strong support of our progress.

FEATURE: INNOVATION AWARDS Midlands

Northern

South West

Severn Trent Water and Malvern Instruments: The Online Zetasizer – A ten year mission

Northumbrian Water and South Tyneside Council: Partnership Working on Flood Risk Alleviation Scheme in Fellgate, Jarrow

South West Water, Area 1 Waste Water Services: An innovative and environmentally friendly method for weed and moss control upon waste water percolating filtration systems

This has been a 10 year mission for Severn Trent Water to change the way they optimise coagulation conditions during Water treatment: from using bench top zeta potential measurements at a number of our major surface water treatment works since 2008, and starting to working collaboratively with Malvern Instruments in 2010. In 2014 the first online Zetasizer was successfully installed at Tittesworth Treatment works in the UK. This provides a fully automated sampling system generating online Zeta potential measurements relayed to and trended on the works supervisory control and data acquisition (SCADA) system, reducing chemical costs and water quality risk.

The Fellgate estate is at risk of sewer flooding, Northumbrian Water’s (NWG) responsibility, and surface water flooding, South Tyneside Council’s (STC) responsibility. NWG and STC were separately investigating the issues at Fellgate and were working to different timeframes and design criteria. The partnership working between NWG and STC to create an integrated flood risk alleviation scheme which considered all flood risk issues on the estate and utilitied sustainable drainage techniques is an innovative approach to flood risk management. This provided better customer service, generated efficiencies, and created a sustainable scheme that offers wider benefits such as habitat creation, educational opportunities and increased health and wellbeing for customers.

Weed growth upon percolating filters within the sewage treatment process is problematic as growth can flourish with perfect growing conditions of constant nutrient supplies and media in which to establish strong root footholds. Historical clearance techniques are both time and labour intensive; if left unchecked weed growth can become significant enough to prevent the filter distribution arms from rotating allowing the filtration treatment stage to be short-circuited.

The process becomes ineffective with undesirable results upon final effluent quality and ultimately the receiving water environment. An environmentally friendly and time efficient method for controlling weed growth was sought. A solution has been identified by the innovative use of existing Foamstream equipment.

Scottish

South East

Welsh

Veolia Water Operational Services: Automated Biological Desulphurisation

South East Water: Engineering: The use of eDNA survey technique at a programme level

Weed Wiper Trial Partnership (includes DCWW Catchment Team, Daltons and Natural Resources Wales - submission made by DCWW): Weed Wiper Trial – Brush The Rush

Veolia is always exploring the current state of science and technology and how we can apply it to our facilities and sites,thus improving and developing the processes.

One result of this approach has led to the adoption of an existing technology from the anaerobic digestion (food and animal waste) and biogas industry - Automated Biological Desulphurisation (supplied by Allison Engineering) - and applying it for the first time on a wastewater treatment plant, Allanfearn WwTW, serving the Inverness catchment. The control of this technology required to be modified to account for the differences in wastewater anaerobic digestion compared to waste anaerobic digestion sites. This technology has allowed us to reduce the hydrogen sulphide (H2S) concentration in the biogas produced, protecting the combined heat and power (CHP) engine. This has increased the engines availability and allowed more energy to be produced thereby increasing the electrical selfsufficiency of the site and reducing its carbon footprint.

The use DNA analysis to detect the presence of protected Great Crested Newts in ponds near to our projects. This cost effective, rapid and reliable method of sampling pond water for the DNA of newts brings many benefits over the traditional method of physically searching ponds at night to identify their presence.

This technique brings project level and strategic efficiencies, and for the future SEW and its framework partner, Jacobs are looking to extend the technique to identify other protected species meaning a win for SEW and a win for protected wildlife.

The Weed Wiper Partnership has successfully reduced the levels of pesticide in water abstracted for drinking.

For the first time the Water Industry, National Resources Wales and the Farming Industry have come together in partnership to tackle the level of pesticides in water; providing an extensive best practice awareness campaign with the offer of a free hire of a weed wiper, an alternative application method that reduces pesticide run-off reducing the use of MCPA by 1,220 litres in the target area.

Initial results show levels of MCPA across the catchment were 34% lower in 2015 than 2014; reducing treatment costs, benefiting customers and protecting the environment.

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QUANTUM ENGINEERING DEVELOPMENTS

Networks need protection from negative pressure

The risks caused by negative pressure in pipelines can be reduced by well-designed, well-maintained surge vessel systems, says Tim Harper of Quantum Engineering Developments Warnings that negative pressure in pipelines can lead to contamination of the water supply come as no surprise to engineers who specialise in surge vessels. Many people, even those working in the water industry, do not realise that negative pressure can be just as damaging to the network as high pressure.

Researchers from the University of Sheffield recently demonstrated that a fall in pressure can suck in groundwater bearing bacteria and viruses, leading to contamination of the water supply and creating a health risk. This shows how important it is for water engineers to be fully aware of the need for well-designed and well-maintained surge vessels which can protect the water network from negative pressure and contamination of supply.

Negative pressure can occur when flow rates change due to valve operation, pump trip or - in the worst-case scenarios - power failure. Each change in flow rate leads to a series of alternating high and low pressure spikes, or transients, risking the creation of negative pressure along the main.

As the scientists from Sheffield showed, if negative pressure develops near to a leaking pipe joint there is a real risk of pulling contaminated water into the system. An added risk is that in the event of a complete vacuum, extreme high

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pressure is created as the vacuum is collapsed by the returning water column. Such pressure spikes can cause stress on pipe joints, substantially increasing the risk of bursts.

Quantum Engineering Developments Ltd (QED) has been manufacturing, refurbishing and maintaining surge vessels for more than 30 years.

We frequently find neglected surge vessels on water utility sites which are full of water or have been isolated from the system.

In many cases existing surge vessels are twenty or thirty years old but have been engineered to suit a system where the hydraulic profile of the main has changed beyond recognition.

Surge vessels play a key role in maintaining the correct level of pressure within the system. This protects not just the main, but the entire network from leaks.

Water companies have a legal obligation to comply with Drinking Water Inspectorate guidelines which demand that all potable water systems operate at a positive pressure. Most water companies have introduced a minimum of 0.2 bar, while some have set the level at 0.5 bar.

Our experience, which comes from visiting many different sites for many different water

companies, is that we regularly see surge vessels which are outdated, incorrectly controlled or isolated from the network. In many cases the main can be suffering bursts a few miles down the road, with no one making a connection with the way the surge vessel is functioning.

By ensuring that surge vessels are appropriate to the main they are protecting and that they are correctly controlled, water companies will often see a huge reduction in leakage â&#x20AC;&#x201C; both in the affected main and elsewhere in the network.

As leakage engineers know, conserving water that has been pumped and treated represents considerable carbon and cost saving to utilities.

Making the network more resilient can also have a positive impact on customer service incentive mechanism (SIM) scores.

Well-maintained and well-designed surge vessels should be a key part of water companiesâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; drive to reduce water wastage and protect our increasingly precious supplies.

Tim Harper is the Operations Manager of QED, which manufactures, refurbishes and services surge vessel systems. www.surgevessels.co.uk

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Radically reduce leakage & pipeline fatigue Uncontrolled pressure transients can be highly damaging to water and wastewater network infrastructure leading to pipe fatigue and leakage.

Quantum Engineering Developments (QED) are specialists in supplying and installing surge control systems to bring pressure transients to safe levels.

Benefits of controlling water pressure surges: •

Substantially reduces the risk of pipeline fatigue and bursts

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Contact QED to find out how your network can be better protected.

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Award-winning innovation with the Protecta-Line range...

Protecta-Line is an award winning, fully integrated barrier pipe and fittings system.

Its tough multi-layer construction ensures that any contaminants remaining in brownfield sites and former industrial land cannot permeate into the water supply.

Protecta-Line system is Kitemarked to WIS 4-32-19 Proven barrier against all recognised brownfield contaminants Suitable for corrosive conditions â&#x20AC;&#x201C; avoid the cost of expensive soil sampling Long-term security of supply NOW All the installation benefits of polyethylene AVAILABLE Reduced leakage larger diameter Excellent lifetime cost savings 630mm

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SPRING2015 ISSUE185

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IN THIS ISSUE: FUTURE OF WATER LEAKAGE RENEWABLE ENERG

IN THIS ISSUE: THE CUSTOMER COMMUNICATING WITH CONFERENCE UPDATE

WINTER2015

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IN THIS ISSUE:

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Y

BIG DATA INSTITUTE OF WATER

SUMMER2015

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UNDERGROUND ASSET S PUBLIC HEALTH WASTEWATER SOLU TIONS RIVERS INSTITUTE OF WATER

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Advertise your business in the Institute of Water Journal Contact David Lancaster on t: 0845 887 3829 e: david.lancaster@distinctivegroup.co.uk

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TRANSFORM THE WAY YOU USE DATA TO ACHIEVE BUSINESS SUCCESS Information is power in business. Handle it well and you will be successful, mismanage it and the effects can be disastrous.

To secure the first situation and avoid the second, Inteltrain, which is a trading division of Watertrain, is helping Water companies to transform the way they manage data, including keeping it secure from hackers.

As part of the leading provider of apprenticeships and vocational qualifications to the Water Industry, Inteltrain has developed programmes to give this essential sector more effective intelligence analysis. The programmes help companies keep up with changes in EU Directives and UK Data Protection regulations.

Inteltrain’s programmes include the Level 4 Diploma in Intelligence Operations, which allows personnel to collect and analyse data, identify patterns and make strategic recommendations.

Inteltrain is also offering a programme to help keep digital data secure, by creating ‘Cyber Stars’ throughout organisations as part of the Level 2 Award in Cyber Security Awareness for Business initiative.

Research shows that too many companies put their reputation and customer trust at risk by failing to provide staff with effective security awareness.

for the intelligence analysis and cyber-crime communities and all courses have OFQUALapproved qualifications.

UK Government research found that 75% of large organisations suffered staff-related security breaches in 2015, with 50% of the worst incidents caused by human error. When asked how many staff had completed information security awareness programmes, a quarter of organisations said that no more than half had done so.

Inteltrain is a trading division of Watertrain, which has been providing Apprenticeships, NVQs and knowledge qualification programmes to the Water and electricity sectors for nearly a decade.

To learn more about how we may be able to help Call: 03330 431431 Email: info@inteltrain.com www.inteltrain.com

Inteltrain can ensure that the Water Industry does not run the same risk, through programmes ideal for analysts, engineers, managers, technicians, forecasters, operational support personnel, strategic planning officers, field personnel and designers.

The company is currently the only training provider for the Water Sector delivering a range of programmes specifically tailored

DISCOVER THE ADVANTAGES

Double-See™ Vinyl Double Containment Piping Systems GF Piping Systems introduced Double-See, a pressure-rated double containment system for transporting hazardous liquids.

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Z-TECH

Are you ready for 2017?

April 2017 spells the introduction of competitive retail for water and waste water services to all of England’s non-household customers.

Understanding water usage is becoming more important, not only the logging of water consumption on entry to a commercial premises, but also an opportunity to look at how different parts of the site consume, potentially make efficiencies and detect leakage.

Z-Tech have been installing and commissioning data logging technology equipment for a number

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of years, particularly for our Water Industry customers. With the competitive retail challenge, smart metering and the opportunity to link into Building Maintenance Systems (BMS) under our one-stop-solution, this is an area Z-Tech will be expecting to expand over the coming months.

Barry Jones, Morrison Utilities said: “By utilising geographic grouping of sites, Z-Tech are able to commission loggers following installation & fitment of ancillary devices; they then establish comms with their top-end systems engineers (both phone and telemetry contact) in a onestop-solution. This minimises the need for revisit (therefore reducing transport costs, reducing carbon footprint and allowing us to maximise outputs) and further ensures smooth data transfer between interfaces - so the end user can review data quickly which, in some cases, results in prompt identification of leakage and subsequent repair.”

By utilising geographic grouping of sites, Z-Tech are able to commission loggers…in a onestop-solution.

FEATURE: THE SDGS

The SDGs In December 2015, the UN Secretary General announced that 2016 would be a historic year with the adoption of global Goals related to the most important challenges for humankind and a global agreement on climate change.

There are 17 SDGs, with 169 targets altogether.

Contrary to the MDGs, they are truly global, intended to promote sustainable development in high-, medium- and low-income countries.

There is a dedicated SDG for water, SDG6, with six outcome targets and two implementation targets.

Succeeding the 8 2000-2015 Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) this new global agenda is far more ambitious than the MDG agenda. The SDG targets are less technocratic than the MDG targets, which to a large extent were defined by achievability and measurability; however, they are less purely aspirational than, for example, the targets set for the International Drinking Water Supply and Sanitation Decade of the 1980s.All countries, both developed and developing are concerned.

The SDGs include 169 precise and measurable targets. Progress towards these SDG Targets will be measured every year. This will make it possible to decide corrective measures if needed.

The SDG programme is a global policy for addressing the most important challenges. It is not legally binding. However, every government will be obliged to report on its national achievements. This will be a strong incentive to act towards the SDG targets.

One of the 17 main Goals is dedicated to water and sanitation. This SDG number 6 includes 6 â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;operationalâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; targets plus 2 targets related to water governance. Several other Goals include

freshwater-related targets or targets with a water component. This is the case of the Goals on cities, poverty reduction, protection of oceans and ecosystems.

These targets relate to all the most important water-related challenges : universal access to drinking water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH), pollution prevention and wastewater management, water scarcity, sustainable withdrawals of water resources satisfying all needs, protection of ecosystems, adequate governance, resilience to water-related disasters.

Most SDG targets are really ambitious. Many public policies will have to be strengthened. A few examples: n One intent is to secure universal access to drinking water that is really safe. This does not mean any longer access to water that is not used by animals (the MDG target) but access to water that is not contaminated and is available on a regular basis. n One target is to halve by 2030 the wastewater flows that are untreated. As it is estimated that globally over 80% of wastewater flows are currently untreated, this means adding infrastructure that can remove pollution from 40% of all existing wastewater flows.

The SDG programme is likely to initiate a revolution of the water sector. Water challenges have now the capacity to be far more visible in

THE 17 GOALS IN FULL

Goal 7 Ensure access to affordable, reliable, sustainable and modern energy for all

Goal 1 End poverty in all its forms everywhere

Goal 8 Promote sustained, inclusive and sustainable economic growth, full and productive employment and decent work for all

Goal 2 End hunger, achieve food security and improved nutrition and promote sustainable agriculture Goal 3 Ensure healthy lives and promote wellbeing for all, at all ages Goal 4 Ensure inclusive and equitable quality education and promote lifelong learning opportunities for all Goal 5 Achieve gender equality and empower all women and girls Goal 6 Ensure availability and sustainable management of water and sanitation for all

Goal 9 Build resilient infrastructure, promote inclusive and sustainable industrialization and foster innovation Goal 10 Reduce inequality within and among countries Goal 11 Make cities and human settlements inclusive, safe, resilient and sustainable Goal 12 Ensure sustainable consumption and production patterns Goal 13 Take urgent action to combat climate change and its impacts

political arenas and in the media. They never had such a status in the past.

The adoption of global targets, with indicators that will be monitored regularly, is a fantastic opportunity to improve water management all over the planet. Indeed, national water policies will have to review their capacity to provide the expected results and adapt themselves if necessary. These amended policies will drive action in the field.

In this new context, water professionals have important responsibilities at national and local levels.

As the ones that can translate policies into action, they have to: n make the effort to understand the new context and opportunities n explain the new ambitions to media and to political decision-makers n avoid that these new ambitions are plagued by pessimistic views that consider every change impossible n help governments to review and adapt their water policies in order to achieve their targets n help governments to track progress with meaningful and reliable statistics n find and use appropriate technical and managerial tools.

Goal 14 Conserve and sustainably use the oceans, seas and marine resources for sustainable development Goal 15 Protect, restore and promote sustainable use of terrestrial ecosystems, sustainably manage forests, combat desertification, and halt and reverse land degradation and halt biodiversity loss Goal 16 Promote peaceful and inclusive societies for sustainable development, provide access to justice for all and build effective, accountable and inclusive institutions at all levels Goal 17 Strengthen the means of implementation and revitalize the global partnership for sustainable development

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CONTROLPOINT

TRAINING TO DELIVER RADICAL IMPROVEMENT As breakthrough technologies become the norm, how do utilities ensure that their onsite teams can deliver a secure infrastructure, keep up with the pace of change and meet customers’ expectations?

UK water and energy companies are facing massive challenges right now: greater competition, emerging technologies, ageing infrastructure and a sector skills shortage, just to name a few.

At an individual level, operators show improved performance immediately and, as the Welder A example shows, can demonstrate outstanding improvement.

Technology and innovation hold the key to unlocking a strong future for the sector, and give companies the edge in a globally competitive market. Nowhere is this new technology more relevant than in the development, maintenance and repair of the utilities’ greatest asset – their pipeline infrastructure.

One well-trained operator can save millions

So how do utilities ensure that their frontline employees, responsible for developing and maintaining this pipeline, are up-to-speed with the latest technology and performing in line with company aspirations?

The increase in the quality of his welding can be seen in the graph below. This tracks the electrofusion joints he has installed over a six month period against industry best practice. Red joints indicate those that have been assessed to be less than 70% conformant with industry welding standards; blue joints are assessed as above 70% conformant.

Training plays a critical role in enabling utilities to improve their performance and profitability.

But they need to be able to answer a few key questions first: How do you assess what your real onsite quality issues are so that you can tailor training effectively?

How do you know if the training in which you’ve invested has actually improved your teams’ performance and you’ve got value for money?

How do you train your workforce to adopt new technology and support them away from the classroom when they face challenges back in the real world?

100 80 Bad Joints Good Joints

40 20 0

Aug

Sept

Oct

Nov (training)

Dec

Jan

Improvement graph showing one operator’s onsite improvement in electrofusion installation post-ControlPoint training

Working to the standards

In the months before training, less than 20% of his joints were assessed as conforming to industry best practice.

The data coming in shows that there is a considerable disconnect between the industry standards used to govern pipeline installation and actual onsite compliance. ControlPoint’s own research shows that one in five joints being installed does not meet best practice guidelines.

ControlPoint addresses this quality gap through a unique combination of technology, training and onsite services. Using their BlueBox technology, ControlPoint trains operators who weld on the pipeline to capture onsite data and photographic evidence via their smartphones. Working with supervisors and operations managers, ControlPoint then delivers bespoke training and onsite coaching to manage out non-compliant work practices.

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installed on their network, over 80% are likely to fulfil their guaranteed 50 year lifespan. And they’re still improving.

As an added incentive, companies who adopt ControlPoint’s quality management system and training can qualify for the ControlPoint guarantee. This covers electrofusion installation and will guarantee blue joints assessed through ControlPoint’s inspection process for ten years up to £5,000. If that’s not a return on investment for training, we’re not sure what is.

Now EUSR Approved

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ControlPoint, a UK-based pipeline quality assurance provider, is delivering answers and practical solutions to these questions, with spectacular results.

The water industry workforce is one of the most trained and qualified in the UK, with every aspect of onsite activity recorded and measured against increasing regulatory standards and requirements. There are a host of industry standards and guidelines in place but are they being adhered to? Evidence suggests not.

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Welder A from a water contractor attended a one day electrofusion coaching session at ControlPoint’s training facility in Chesterfield in November 2015.

Within a week of ControlPoint training, his quality had improved to above 50% good (blue) and, within 3 months, over 90% of his electrofusion joints were assessed as good (blue).

Putting a value on that, his critically poor joints have dropped from an average of 37 per month to 6 per month.

If only 10% failed in the next ten years of service, and each joint costs the utility an average of £3,000 to repair, this improvement alone has saved his company approximately £1116000 over the next ten years.

At a company level, performance is also dramatically improved and the company’s asset is safeguarded. One of the largest UK water utilities has already increased the quality of their installation performance from 37% to 83% through working with ControlPoint.

This means that for every electrofusion joint

ControlPoint’s training has now been approved by the Energy and Skills Register (EUSR) and is accessible via the EUSR website.

Training involves revisiting electrofusion and butt fusion principles, using a combination of jointing theory and onsite practical exercises, and coaching the operators through the use of new technology and tooling. Wherever possible, training is delivered in real-world conditions, with the emphasis on hands-on training. Actual data from the operators’ previous welds can be used to identify areas for improvement and track ongoing improvement.

Dave Carey, Technical Operations Manager at ControlPoint, believes the success of the training relies on having trainers that can respect the challenges faced by operators onsite: “Most of the operators we see have a vast amount of experience and have to qualify for several tickets before they can weld on pipelines – it’s not our place to preach to them about welding but we can help them understand new technology, new materials and tooling and, most importantly, how they can use the technology to evidence where they have done good work,” he says.

Create a quality pipeline for the future With bespoke training and onsite support, ControlPoint can help you significantly improve welding quality on your pipeline and eliminate unnecessary repairs.

Our electrofusion and automatic butt fusion courses are now EUSR approved and delivered to industry specifications Our unique classroom and practical training is tailored to focus on areas for improvement highlighted by our quality assurance system

01246 262080 www.controlpoint.co.uk

Introducing the Institute of Water Rising Stars for 2016 A GREAT STARTâ&#x20AC;Ś

The year is well under way for our 2016 Rising Stars and having attended the Utility Week Achievement Awards, they recently visited Anglian Water at their Hall Treatment Works. Institute of Water President and Anglian Water CEO Peter Simpson hosted the Stars as they were shown around the site and enjoyed a number of talks. A big thanks to all at Anglian Water who helped organise the event.

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RISING STARS Krishna Morker Water Quality Team Leader, Yorkshire Water Krishna graduated from Lancaster University with a BSc (Hons) in Biological Sciences and PhD in Plant Molecular Biology. Following a Post-Doctoral position and Gap Year, she joined the Water Industry as a Technician in the Developer Services Team at Yorkshire Water. In this role she carried out a Yorkshire Water sponsored HNC in Civil Engineering to complement her day to day work. Krishna was then successful in securing a position in the Water Quality Team as a Scientist.

After a year in this operational role, she seconded to the Drinking Water Inspectorate, spending six months living in London and working with the DWI as an Inspector. On her return to Yorkshire Water, she has been

James Sommerville Alliance Delivery Manager, WGM Engineering Ltd Having completed a MEng in Product Design Engineering at the University of Strathclyde James joined WGM Engineering as a Graduate Engineer in the summer of 2012.

After getting the grips with the demands of a 24/7 workshop and the challenges of planned and reactive maintenance he has thrived as the Alliance Delivery Manager for a new E&M Alliance for Scottish Water. He is responsible for leading both an office support team and multi-disciplinary field service team in delivering planned maintenance pan Scotland whilst carrying out remedial tasks. Within the first year of the Alliance there has been a marked

Matthew Lundy Project Manager (Engineering & Procurement), Northern Ireland Water Matthew’s career started out with RPS as a Graduate Engineer and Assistant CDM Co-ordinator. Since then he has worked with Sewer Rehabilitation contractors in Northern Ireland and in Melbourne, Australia where he was sub-contracted to the John Holland Group on the $220M Melbourne Main Sewer Replacement.

Matthew has been with Northern Ireland Water for three years in that time he has delivered over £4M worth of Capital Expenditure. In the last 18 months, Matthew has focused on resolving DG5 Internal Flooding. He successfully delivered Capital Projects that enhanced the level of service to the Customer, providing 1 in 30 year rainfall event protection and removed 12 properties from the DG5 at-risk-register.

instrumental in sharing her experiences and learning from her time with the Inspectorate. More recently, she has gained Chartered Scientist status with the Institute of Water and has secured a new role at Yorkshire Water as Water Quality Team Leader.

Krishna’s message to the industry: The Water Industry is constantly evolving. With the move towards a competitive trading environment it is crucial that Companies work together, encouraging greater collaboration in order to share operational best practice and learning. Whilst some competition is necessary to breed innovation and to drive change, the community and heart of the Industry, which has always focused on providing an exceptional service despite challenging circumstances, should not change. Strong inter-Company relationships are the key to a sustainable and successful Industry future.

improvement in the way maintenance has been delivered whilst helping introduce a new approach to maintenance in the industry.

James’ message to the industry: The water sector is faced with daily reminders that we are facing continued evolving challenges like no other generation before us, the destructive effects of flooding, as climate change and changing populations test our efforts. Collaboration at these times becomes ever relied on in order to continually adapt to changing expectations set out by both customers and employees to ensure that the essential service we are proud to deliver is maintained.

These challenges are encouraging us to carry on collaborating, forming new partnerships that lead us to continue to strive in order to transform our industry for the better, to continually improve.

(1900m3) being installed by NI Water along with associated storm and foul sewer extensions for the various development sites (over 1000 properties).

This is a legacy project that required NI Water to manage storm water at catchment level due to Rivers Agency retracting the initial full bore consent and restricting discharge to greenfield run-off. The estimated value of this project is £550K and is due for completion in March 2016.

Matthew’s message to the Industry: A lot more needs to be done to manage storm water at source, if we are to move forward sustainability and reduce the likelihood of flooding in the future, features such as green roofs, permeable surfaces and water butts need to become the standard instead of the exception. This applies to rural areas too and the government needs to do more to incentivise customers, compensating farmers for allowing their fields to flood, could save the economy millions as a result of reduced urban flooding in downstream catchments. The full implementation of sustainable drainage principles, is long overdue.

Matthew is currently working on the Green Road, Conlig Development Scheme which will see the largest geo-cellular tank in Northern Ireland

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Jo Lamont Scientist (physics), WRc plc After completing her MSci in Physics from the University of Nottingham and research into polariton lasing at Fudan University in Shanghai, Jo joined WRc plc as a graduate in 2014. During her time at WRc she has worked on a wide variety of projects covering asset management, technology and treatment processes for water companies, technology suppliers and the gas distribution network.

As part of her role within asset management she has developed an economic framework for supply pipe management options focusing on issues surrounding leakage and lead pipes as well as verifying water balances for two Brazilian water companies. In the gas sector she has

Will Finlay Laboratory Project Manager, South East Water Will joined South East Water more than a decade ago, working his way up from a water sampler and technician to Microbiologist to Project Manager of a multi-million pound laboratory relocation.

Despite working full time he completed a Business and Technology Education Council qualification in Applied Science, passing with a distinction, and gained a 2:1 for a Biology degree. During his degree Will was promoted to Senior Microbiology Analyst at South East Water, managing a team of eight as well as the day-to-day running of the laboratory.

Kara Sadler Strategy Scientist, Anglian Water Kara joined Anglian Water in 2010 after completing a BSc (Hons) in Chemistry at Manchester Metropolitan University. The majority of her career to date has been spent within the water quality scientific area. In 2014, Kara spent six months on an external secondment to the Drinking Water Inspectorate where she gained invaluable experience gaining an insight into the drinking water quality regulator and identifying best practice across the industry. As part of her current role, Kara plays an integral role in the business planning process by supporting expert groups to identify water quality schemes which are being implemented in AMP6 and beyond.

Kara has also achieved an MSc in Water and Wastewater Engineering and

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participated in the innovative project trialling cured-in-place lining techniques for the GDNs and assessed the potential of transferring technologies from the water industry to the gas industry.

Jo’s role in the technology and treatment process areas predominantly involves MCERTS and WRc Approved testing. The work involves project management, testing of instruments for water companies and market reviews for technology developers. Jo is also involved in Venturi, a joint innovation water portal with Arup.

Jo’s message to the industry: Innovation is constantly mentioned within the water industry as the way to new and exciting ideas and technologies which promise to improve both profitability and customer service. However the pressure to provide a near flawless service to customers inhibits the adoption of innovation. We need to be bolder with adopting new solutions in order to gain the benefits they offer and to encourage the next level of innovation.

Will’s latest project management role has involved him in all aspects of a complex laboratory move, including the design process, managing contractors, ensuring the company maintained its proper scientific accreditation, testing and relocating of high value equipment, all within tight timescales and budgets.

Will’s message to the industry: Regulatory water analysis is central to ensuring that tap water continues to be of the highest standard. It is important that everyone in the water industry appreciates the high levels of competency behind this testing as we strive to comply with the demands set by our regulators.

There is currently a lot emphasis throughout the industry on continued professional development better known as CPD which I think is great. We should embrace all the available support around us in order to reach our full potential.

was one of the Institute of Water’s first Chartered Scientists. Since then Kara has been committed to her on-going professional development and recently received the 2015 CPD award.

Kara’s message to the industry: The water industry is changing rapidly – retail competition, extreme weather conditions and an aging workforce, to name but a few. I believe that the key to successfully embracing change is to invest in the people of tomorrow by encouraging young people and professionals to join the water industry and giving them the opportunity to fulfil their future career within it; all this whilst retaining the experience and knowledge built from the people of today. Creating successful collaborations between external organisations as well as across the water sector will be essential to support us all in the new tomorrow.

RISING STARS Anna Riddick AMP Project Scientist, Dwr Cymru Welsh Water Having completing a BSc (Hons) in Environmental Science at Leeds University, Anna joined Welsh Water in 2012. On the Graduate scheme, she experienced a number of projects and roles within the Wastewater and Environment Directorates and was selected to take part in the first UKWIR Graduate Sandpit Programme.

In October 2014, Anna was promoted into the role of AMP Project Scientist with responsibility for delivering a number of National Environment Programme schemes, including the second water industry wide Chemical Investigations Programme and various Biodiversity schemes.

Anna is an active member of the Institute as Welsh Area Secretary, and is currently working towards Chartered Environmentalist.

Stephen Woodhams Network Coordinator, South Staffs Water Stephen joined South Staffs Water in 2009 as a Network Support Assistant in the hydraulic modelling team. Following the completion of a challenging two-year development plan, he was promoted to Network Coordinator in the Asset Management team in 2012 with a threeyear development programme. Since beginning this role, Stephen has established himself within the water industry, specialising in network pressure management and underground asset management.

In 2013 Stephen embarked upon a five year journey to achieve a BEng in Civil Engineering, after successfully securing funding from the Utilities and Service Industries Training Limited’s ‘Business Skills Award’.

As an active member of the Pressure Management and Control forum Stephen strives to incorporate innovation across the industry within

As the Regional Representative for WaterAid within Welsh Water, Anna was recently fortunate enough to visit Uganda as a representative of her employer to launch the company’s new aims and continued partnership with the charity. This trip brought to light the very core issues of providing water and sanitation and enabled a greater appreciation for her role within the UK Water Industry.

Anna’s message to the industry: I believe that the UK Water Industry has a vital part to play in the protection of the environment in the short, and the long term. As EU regulation and standards become tighter, it is our essential role to continue to improve the quality of our watercourses, whilst also ensuring we get value for every penny of our customers’ money.

The challenges to ensuring the best outcome for both our customers, and our environment needs us all to challenge the status quo and ensure a culture of sound scientific evidence supports all our work.

his work. By continually targeting best practice in all areas, his diverse role allows him to have key involvement in asset optimisation, proactive maintenance, strategic planning and design. Stephen leads innovation through the review and assessment of new technologies available in the sector establishing key relationships with suppliers, seeking opportunities to not only learn but also to impart his knowledge and experience with others.

Stephen’s message to the industry: Whilst the water industry is fast moving and is undergoing evolution it is also quite often slow to accept change – for this reason I feel it is extremely important to develop intercompany relationships to allow for industry best practice to be achieved in all areas. A more holistic approach to asset management and operations is required across the industry, developing an appreciation for the direct and indirect effects of all we do to ensure that the end-to-end process has the customer as its central focus, and that this approach is not only deliverable today but is sustainable for future generations.

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Looking for the next generation of water engineers Anglian Water is calling on young people looking for a practical career to consider applying for an apprenticeship.

This year’s apprentice and trainee positions have been announced and they include opportunities across the region to train as mechanical and electrical engineers as well as technicians on our water and water recycling networks.

This year there are seven apprentice positions and 19 trainee positions available in Norfolk, Suffolk, Cambridgeshire, Lincolnshire, Essex, Northamptonshire and Bedfordshire.

The apprentice positions are a four year programme which will see the successful applicants trained up as electrical and mechanical engineers before starting work as Maintenance Technicians when they are fully qualified.

Stacey Gibson, from Anglian Water’s apprenticeship programme, said: “All of our apprentices get a guaranteed job at the end of their qualification period so this is the first step on an exciting career ladder.

“It’s hard work, but you’ll get a lot of support, make friends and get a real challenge which for many of our apprentices is a life changing one.

Trainee positions take 18 months and result in Network Technician roles which will involve being part of our ongoing multi-million pound war on leakage and helping ensure we’re offering the best service to our customers. There are also trainee roles available at several of our water recycling works helping maintain the essential sewage infrastructure our region relies on.

This year the company is hoping to increase the number of young women going into these roles to try and address the long term gender imbalance in water engineering careers.

The apprenticeship roles are open for applications now, and the trainee positions will be opening in June.

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“Women make up less than 10 per cent of engineers in the UK and we often struggle to attract girls into apprentice positions. But we really feel the service we provide would be improved by having a diverse mix of staff in all areas – especially when we’re dealing with customers face to face and sensitivity is vital.

“Our frontline staff ensure that the region has clean, healthy water and sewerage every hour of every day. It’s a vital job and it could one day lead to a management level position in the water industry.”

To be eligible for an apprenticeship applicants must have five GSCEs (or equivalent) with grades A to C including Maths and English.

Anyone who wants to apply for an Anglian Water apprenticeship can find out more online at www.anglianwatercareers.co.uk/trainees

It’s hard work, but you’ll get a lot of support, make friends and get a real challenge which for many of our apprentices is a life changing one.

FEATURE: SKILLS FOR THE FUTURE

WE MUST DEVELOP THE SKILLS AND KNOWLEDGE REQUIRED TO IMPROVE ENVIRONMENTAL PERFORMANCE ‘Environment’ is often thought of as a single issue – but it is, in fact, an umbrella under which many of today’s key challenges sit. Rapid population growth, volatility of materials supply, energy production and security of supply, together with extreme weather events, will continue to drive commodity prices higher. Businesses and economies recognise these challenges but say they lack the necessary skills to face them head on, turning them into opportunities.

If we are to meet our social and economic goals to protect health, wealth and natural resources for the future, it is vitally important that we develop the workforce with the skills and knowledge required to improve environmental performance and productivity, drive competitiveness and increase resilience. Organisations need to be working towards a circular economy, extracting the maximum value from materials and converting waste to resource, rather than consider sustainability as a bolt on, if they are to become resilient to climatic uncertainly and remain competitive.

In 2009, The House of Commons Environmental Audit Committee, in its inquiry into Green Jobs and Skills, stressed the importance of green skills in supporting the transition to a sustainable economy and ensuring that the UK is able to compete on the world stage for its share of environmental markets. The Committee’s report also made the key point that as well as green skills being an essential part of the low carbon environmental goods and services sector, “a more general green skills set will be required to provide the entire economy with resource efficiency and leadership skills needed as the economy moves to more sustainable patterns of production and consumption.”

Since then, research carried out into student attitudes towards, and skills for, sustainable development by the National Union of Students on behalf of the Higher Education Academy indicates that there is real attitude from young people for getting on and addressing this issue.

Their report found: n 80% of students consistently believe that sustainable development should be actively incorporated and promoted by universities n Over 66% consistently believe that sustainable development should be incorporated into all university courses n 66% of first and second year students say they would willingly get paid £1,000 less a year if the company they worked for had a good environmental and ethical record.

n Skills to compete - Only 13% of companies are fully confident that they have the skills to successfully compete in a sustainable economy. n Leadership gap - Only 25% of leaders, and 20% of senior managers, are fully capable of addressing the sustainability agenda. n Funding gap – In 72% of organisations, investment in environment and sustainability skills is less than for other disciplines with 63% of organisations spending less than £100 per head on environment and sustainability training each year. n Strategic challenge - 65% haven’t carried out a strategic evaluation of skills needed to successfully compete in a sustainable economy. n Recruitment gap - Over half (53%) of organisations are unable to recruit environment and sustainability professionals with the right skills.

We’re already starting to see evidence that these issues are being addressed. Across many universities and colleges. For example, the winner of the 2014 Courses and Learning Green Gown Award from the Environmental Association of Universities and Colleges, The University of Plymouth recognised that the sustainability challenge require different solutions for different disciplines. It called upon its experience in Education for Sustainable Development to create a new module in the curriculum which brings design students into the nursing skills sessions so that they could see some of the sustainability challenges that relate to healthcare practice, and identify where design could provide innovative solutions. As the award judges noted, this is “An innovative and practical approach to embedding sustainability thinking into health disciplines with tangible outcomes”.

However, recent research by the Institute of Environmental Management and Assessment (IEMA) has found that the skills gap in the world of business remains and is significant, (see panel above.)

It is clear that we need to do more to ensure that those entering the workforce do so with an appropriate level of knowledge and understanding of critical environmental and sustainability issues. Not simply from a scientific perspective, but in a context of how they can use

this in their chosen career paths. A process of addressing this incrementally, or in a piecemeal approach in education – whether in schools, colleges or universities, will not meet the urgency that the sustainability challenge demands.

Political support and investment in young people is needed now to address the skills shortfall.

It is equally important to provide support and training for those already in employment; this applies across all levels of employment, from apprentices through to CEO level. Professional and umbrella bodies such as the Society for the Environment, are working together to ensure employees with an element of environmental stewardship in their role, can access the training, and recognition that builds knowledge and resilience, establishing engagement across the workforce. Policy has an important role to play here. Government, business, professional bodies and education providers must work together to ensure that sustainability is placed at the heart of decision-making; that sustainability skills are recognised and demanded by employers; collaborative processes for systemic change are catalysed; and that sustainability skills are embedded across the economy.

Exerpts from Society for the Environment’s Report ‘ENVIRONMENT: Priorities for the next Government’ March 2105.

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FEATURE: SKILLS FOR THE FUTURE

What skills will future Engineers need?

“Our job, as engineers, is to solve the big problems facing the world – like clean water, sanitation, energy and public health – against a background of diminishing resources and increasing population,” says MWH UK managing director Catherine Schefer. “The problem-solving skills that we associate with good engineers are as vital as ever; but to address these huge global challenges, we need other skills and attributes, particularly the ability to collaborate, to question the traditional ways of doing things, and to be open to new ideas.”

The water sector is largely ahead of other sectors of the infrastructure industry, explains MWH Europe Africa design director Ian Davies; “Since the UK water sector privatisation, we have had 25 years of creating new assets. However, this major rebuild programme is almost complete.

Future investments will mainly be focused on making these assets perform more effectively, not new facilities. Engineers will be needed less for designing and building and more for their abilities to leverage performance of the existing asset base plus their financial, environmental and technical knowhow.”

Davies says, the next generation of engineers brings with them an innate ability to use the modern communications tools and technology - which is transforming the way engineering projects are conceived, promoted, designed, procured and built. They have grown up knowing the internet, using social media and learning gaming skills. When they get into leadership roles they will expect to be using digital models to help build on site. Similarly, they view

Catherine Schefer globalisation differently and are more likely to challenge conventional solutions. They are open to collecting good ideas wherever in the world they come from.

This changing perspective of what makes a good engineer coincides with a shortage of graduate engineers entering the industry. This is encouraging consultants and contractors to employ young people from more diverse backgrounds. Davies believes this is a unique opportunity to attract people who are driven and motivated by sustainability, by environmental stewardship, and by public health; “Although our contracting business takes on apprentices, in line with other consultancy organisations, we have concentrated on graduates in the past. However,

Ian Davies last year we launched an apprentice scheme which attracted recruits aged 17 to 22, with a variety of different, non-traditional qualifications, from GCSEs to HNDs. Most have studied science or maths but also have a broader range of subject interests including law, health and social care.

What matters is that they’re interested in solutions to problems. And, because there’s a lot of design involved, they have skills in visualisation and creativity. This all represents a step change.”

Our job, as engineers, is to solve the big problems facing the world – like clean water, sanitation, energy and public health – against a background of diminishing resources and increasing population.

Catherine Schefer, MWH UK Managing Director

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WINDMILL INSIGHT SOLUTIONS

Creating insight, delivering results I thnik that the two most important future skills for the water industry are Measuring the Future and Non-Traditional Recruitment. Suprised? You shouldn't be.

What does this mean for the Water Industry?

The water industry is operating in an exponentially changing environment and needs to equip itself with the skills to understand and manage the future at all organisational levels.

Against this uncertainty are the two certainties of the falling number of young people in the population and their lack of engagement with STEM subjects.

To get the future workforce that it needs the water industry will have to rethink at how it turns work into roles and jobs and look outside the traditional candidate pools.

How can Windmill Insight Solutions help?

I offer two choices: to run a future skills programme for you or to train you people in how to do this for themselves. Whatever your choice each client gets a bespoke solution carefully constructed to meet their individual needs.

Should your interest be in helping your managers be better at their job I can offer bespoke strategic, operational and project management programmes, each underpinned if required by Chartered Management Institute and Institute of Leadership and Management qualifications.

It is tempting to think of future skills in terms of roles and numbers in years ahead, but I believe this approach is doomed to fail. Our world is simply too complex for any one approach to succeed. In this article I explain why.

Measuring the Future By “Measuring The Future” I mean using data modelling for role specific planning, identifying and using strong and weak signals to highlight trends, and building scenarios to identify current and emerging skills needs in a timely manner.

In my experience a good role specific modelling solution is EU Skills’ Workforce Planning Model while AMI Enterprise Intelligence is excellent for mining of unstructured web data to uncover the strong trends and weak signals that give insight into future skills trends.

Tel: +44 7554 994855 Email: bob@windmillinsights.co.uk Web: www.windmillinsights.co.uk

Windmill Insight Solutions Tailored Training, Real Results Tailored Training for the Water Industry

By comparison, scenario planning I see as a core skill that all aspiring and existing managers should have at their fingertips as a way of gaining insight into the skills needs of potential futures.

• Personalised for your people

• On site delivery

• Relaxed but thorough training

• Discounts for ongoing contracts

However, any forecast, prediction or scenario is only as good as the action that it leads to. Backcasting provides this, asking the question “what do I need to be doing today to take best advantage of the future that I see?”.

Measuring The Future • Scenario Planning Workshops and training • Modelling future skills needs

The key point is that just because you are looking a long way in the future doesn’t mean that prioritised, costed action plans are not needed today.

Backcasting • Understanding Forecasting vs Backcasting • Effective action planning

Non-traditional recruitment What do a young pay corporal from the RAF and an unemployed 54-year old electrician have in common? I appointed both as works technicians against the advice of my peers and both went on to have great water careers.

In the pay corporal I saw a man who could take 200 troops abroad for three months, get them all back home and make the books tally to the penny.

Organisational skills like that rare and he used them to great effect in the role.

The electrician, while unemployed, went back to college and gained two further HNCs, and at interview articulated beautifully what he could bring to the role. He quickly became the respected father figure of the team.

Be a better manager • Understanding Agile Management • Real-world strategic, operational and project management Accredited courses • ILM and CMI courses available

Email: bob@windmillinsights.co.uk Mobile: 07554 994855 www.utility.windmillinsights.co.uk

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Innovative Online Communication and Data Sharing Tools Simple and effective enterprise software solutions for sharing information with clients, customers and colleagues. Its Stonbury provide secure online tools to easily keep track and manage projects or assets amongst small or large groups of people. Whilst giving users an easy to use cross platform solution and including media such as photos and videos within updates which makes for a visually appealing and functional experience.

inprogress Keeps clients informed and engaged without site visits.

intouch Get your communities onside and then keep them there.

assetsafe Get a handle on your all of your assets and make them work harder.

Keeping your clients regularly updated on the progress of your works, is a challenge. Client visits to site accompanied by endless email threads and phone calls are expensive in terms of time and organisational effort. Bringing your project team together in one place at one time, is becoming less and less feasible logistically.

Building a lasting and trusted customer brand is key for the success of your business, when your works are surrounded by busy communities, whose day-today existence is unavoidably disrupted.

Dialogue with these communities can be poor and customers feel they do not have a voice. This leads to reputational damage and spiralling complaint levels that cost you time and money to resolve.

Every organisation wants to deliver optimum value to its customers, its shareholders and its investors by “sweating its assets to the max”.

But you can’t sweat it if you don’t know you have it, where it is and what condition it’s in – and so your business performance (as well as your credibility to external bodies and stakeholders) can suffer.

intouch slashes these risks at a stroke, in one rapidly deployable community portal. Designed specifically for large, public-facing enterprises, it enables you to connect with a large number of customers directly, obtain their feedback on your works and their impact, handle their objections and monitor and respond to burgeoning issues. A customer complaint becomes a positive experience, driving up customer satisfaction and building a brand they can trust.

assetsafe puts you back in control of your assets, in one rapidly deployable portal. It’s a secure online asset database, visible to your team from any PC or mobile device, that maps an asset it to its location and all its critical associated information. This covers not only asset records, maintenance, programme works, and audit trails, but the photos and videos that add indispensable visual

inprogress solves the entire problem in one rapidly deployable client portal. Developed to enable your clients and all critical stakeholders, to follow the progress of works, comment on them and receive responses and updates remotely from their web enabled device. inprogress allows users to update visual and technical detail via an interactive platform for the discussion of the works and their consequences, allowing slick and effective management of project communication.

clues as to the state, availability and deployability of every asset.

Learn more at www.itsstonbury.co.uk or contact us to request a demonstration: info@itsstonbury.co.uk

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Focus on companies listening to their customers and delivering the services that matter to them The most recent price review process (PR14) had a focus around companies listening to their customers and delivering the services that matter to them. The outcomes regime was a key component of this approach. As part of this, companies engaged directly with their customers to listen to their priorities.

Companies developed a set of outcomes that sought to encapsulate the services that their customers want. Companies also proposed a set of measurable performance commitments (PCs) to demonstrate delivery against each outcome. An example of an outcome proposed by a company is â&#x20AC;&#x153;Making sure our customers have enough water, while leaving more water in the environmentâ&#x20AC;?.

And for this outcome they proposed a number of performance commitments covering, for example, average water use per household and leakage.

Companies also offered up a set of incentive measures (outcome delivery incentives or ODIs) for each performance commitment, including reputational incentives (driven by the publication of performance against specific targets) and financial incentives, which include penalties and rewards for under or over performance against commitments. The proposed incentives cover areas such as level of service to customers and environmental improvements, but include also penalties for non-delivery of major schemes.

Some of the incentives are standardised across the industry (for example SIM), whereas others are very specific to individual companies. Most of the ODIs will be settled at the end of the 5 year period in 2020, based on performance accumulated over the years.

This is an innovative area of regulation, and the development of the outcomes regime through the PR14 process was an iterative process as Ofwat got to grips with the wide range of individual proposals put forward by the companies and the need to fit them within the wider context of the industry-level and company-specific regulatory settlements. Lessons were learned both by Ofwat and by the industry in the process of developing outcomes, such as: n Each company proposed its own set of outcomes, performance commitments and ODIs. Whilst a number of outcomes were common across the majority of companies, there was a significant shift from the fully harmonised sets of measures and reporting

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adopted in the past. Over time, the balance between company-specific and common industry-wide outcomes may shift as best practice can be adopted more widely and the regulator has access to a wider set of data; n It is important that companies take a long view in the development of outcomes, considering the implications beyond the regulatory period, including those for future generations; and n Customer engagement is a powerful tool and should not be limited to the price control process. Maintaining a dialogue with customers on an ongoing basis will be important in the ongoing monitoring and development of outcomes. The dialogue should not stop at the price control stage.

Ofwat have reflected some of these lessons in their initial proposals for the regulatory framework for the next price control, PR19, set out in their recent Water 2020 consultation paper.

Some of the key proposals include: n Encouraging companies to strengthen the customer engagement approach, for example by developing a clear understanding of different types of customersâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; needs, engaging with customers on longer term issues and working in partnership with them to design and deliver solutions; n Further considering the balance between common and bespoke incentives; and n Allowing all companies to have in-period incentives, linking rewards and penalties to performance more closely in time over the course of the 5 year period.

So, what should companies be doing to respond to these requirements? In our experience, three things: First, companies need to work out where to focus their attention. On average each company has made 29 performance commitments. Management

FEATURE: OUTCOME DELIVERY INCENTIVES

companies need to work out where to focus their attention. it is essential to have full visibility over how the company is performing against each outcome in-period Based on those two insights companies can begin to make tactical decisions to improve their ODI position

teams need a clear view of their priorities. They need to take full account of the way in which the regulatory framework works as a whole, including the way their actions in this price control period may impact on the commitments they will need to make in the future. Working out priorities in many cases involves developing new tools to support their decisions.

Second, it is essential to have full visibility over how the company is performing against each outcome in-period. Achieving this visibility is requiring a fundamental change to the way in which management information and programme controls data is collated and disseminated. In a nutshell, the senior management team and the board need to have up-to-date information and a clear line of sight to which outcomes are on track and which are at risk.

Based on those two insights companies can begin to make tactical decisions to improve their ODI position: reprioritising investment schemes, accelerating or delaying projects, and so on.

However, companies need to go further. They need an integrated approach which aligns the business, from strategy through to operations, with the outcomes-based regime. To adapt fully to the world of outcomes and ODIs, companies must challenge how their organisations are set up to drive the change that is required. This includes

the way that they allocate responsibilities across the organisation. Organisations that do this well seek to align the personal objectives of every person to the promises that the company has made. They will also reflect those promises in contracts with their supply chain.

Leading companies are strongly embracing a cultural change and are working to embed outcomes at the heart of the organisation.

There are material benefits in taking such a proactive approach. For example, Severn Trent recently announced that a result of the operational efficiencies improvements identified, they aim to achieve a net ODI benefit, at this stage, of £15 million for the current year. There are also long term benefits, as this is not a “oneshot game”. For example, Ofwat have recently indicated that they plan to take account of companies’ past performance and the quality of their customer engagement in their assessment of business plans at PR19.

There are also parallels from the energy sector, where network operators are required to demonstrate to Ofgem the delivery of an extensive set of outputs (the equivalent of outcomes) as part of the price control package and are reporting externally with annual performance reports. Successful operators have embraced this by ensuring clear accountability for

the delivery of outputs within their organisation, regular monitoring of performance and development of clear action plans to address underperformance at an early stage.

Outcomes are an important tool to drive high quality business plans informed by customers and to introduce more dynamic incentives on companies’ behaviour, ensuring that companies “earn” part of their return and that the most efficient companies are rewarded for this. It will be interesting to see who wins and who loses from the new approach over the rest of AMP6.

About the authors Richard Laikin – UK Water Sector Leader Richard.e.laikin@uk.pwc.com Tel: 07824 499099 Matteo Guarnerio – Senior Consultant, Power & Utilities Matteo.guarnerio@uk.pwc.com Tel: 07808 106720

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FEATURE: OUTCOME DELIVERY INCENTIVES

Outcome Delivery Incentives Outcome Delivery Incentives (ODIs) were one of the new features of the 2014 price review (PR14) framework. They were a step change in the regulatory framework, which had previously been based on measuring physical delivery of outputs, often as capacity or process improvements.

Customer impacts were only partly considered through asset health (serviceability) measures, and then only based on historic company performance against a few centrally defined metrics. It wasn’t clear that service levels: n reflected what customers’ wanted to see; n allowed companies to innovate in how these services were delivered; or n stretched the performance of the industry to deliver for customers, with investors rewarded accordingly.

At PR14 Ofwat wanted companies to develop outcomes as delivery proposals for consumers, not just current customers, but future customers and the wider environment as well. Guidance on how to do this was deliberately left to high level principles, with much of the concepts developed by the water industry themselves. Ultimately companies should own the relationship with their customers and stakeholders and the customers should be at the heart of company decision making.

Much of the focus at PR14 was on the financial rewards and penalties for company delivery against their plans – ODIs. However the framework includes other performance commitments that are designed to have reputational incentives, particularly where it isn’t possible to calculate the cost and customer value for a measure that is needed to calculate an ODI. Ofwat expect companies to report transparently on progress against their outcomes and the quality of this will be a key test used when reviewing future plans.

Companies embraced the outcomes approach, proposing a total of 171 outcomes, 515 performance commitments and 312 financial outcome delivery incentives. There were challenges made about whether customers supported outcomes that had rewards as well as penalty components. Rewards provide the opportunity for companies to invest more in areas that customers support outside of the five year price review process. This allows companies to innovate in what and how the outcomes are delivered as cheaper and better opportunities arise.

Many companies found that reward and penalty incentives were supported for areas of service that they valued and stretched companies to

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deliver more. By the end of the PR14 process, 60% of the performance commitments had financial incentives, with 35% including rewards and penalties. Ofwat ensured that where outcomes could be compared between companies, the boundary between reward and penalty was at the performance level of the top 25% in the industry.

Regulation of fixed (usually capital expenditure related) outputs didn’t always allow all solutions to be considered, so it is important to see outcome incentives alongside the move at PR14 to considering total expenditure (totex) for wholesale costs rather than opex and capex separately. Ofwat expect the industry to shift its focus beyond cost efficiency by incentivising the supply chain and delivery partners to deliver the optimal cost and service balance, lowering costs to customers through innovation in the long term.

At PR14 ODIs formed part of the balance between risk and reward for investors, which also included cost, financing and customer service through retention of an industry standard SIM mechanism.

Although the potential financial impact of ODIs varies by company, on average the range is from penalties of -1.7% of regulated equity to +0.6% rewards.

Risk sharing was also built into the design of the ODIs, with deadband zones in which rewards and penalties did not apply to reflect the degree to which outcome performance was affected by factors outside of company control, such as the weather on the number of sewer floodings.

Rewards were capped so that customers only paid for outcomes that they valued. Penalties were also limited, noting that at some poor levels of performance regulators may step in and other consequences on companies including fines apply.

Equally capping penalties allows for exceptional weather events outside of company control to not put the financial resilience of a company at risk.

Future outcomes The PR14 approach was an important first step in developing an outcomes based approach to regulation. It was far from the end of the journey.

At the heart of this approach is how responsive the industry appears to be from its customers’ perspective. It’s always been a challenge in the water industry to describe what’s been delivered

for customers when bills are announced. ODIs help companies to talk about their performance don’t leave this to your regulator.

Thousands of conversations happen every day with customers between those of you working hard on the ground or in contact centres. Even when things go wrong, those customers affected are often delighted with the service you give.

But we also have to think about those many bill payers who haven’t been in contact. ODIs allow bill changes to happen more closely to when customers as a whole have been impacted by the performance of their supplier. Only 3 companies chose to have ODIs that impact bills within the price review period at PR14. Ofwat are consulting as part of the Water 2020 proposals on applying this principle to all ODIs. Another topic for future outcomes is how a longer time frame can be considered. When there is a project that has benefits over more than one price control period, companies will need to consider how they structure their outcomes to reflect this.

At PR14 some companies signalled areas, such as catchment management, where they would be developing longer term outcome incentives in the future.

Ofwat also anticipate that there may be some areas where consistent outcome incentives are used across the industry. These incentives may need to be dynamic with the boundary between reward and penalty moving as the better industry performers deliver more for their customers.

A lot of high quality customer research and engagement was undertaken by companies at PR14. As with outcomes, there is an opportunity for this to go further in the understanding of individual consumer needs, something that utilities lag behind other sectors on. Outcome incentives reflect the monopoly position that applies to the areas of the industry subject to price controls. Whilst they are important parts of Ofwat’s toolkit, they do not replace the challenge companies face to provide excellent customer service on a continuous basis.

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NORTHERNIRELANDAREANEWS

“NOT-SO-DRY JANUARY” – NORTHERN IRELAND AREA SOCIAL EVENT – WINE TASTING AT OX BELFAST The Northern Ireland Area organised a wine tasting social event at local award winning restaurant and wine bar OX on Thursday 28th January 2016 and a group of enthusiastic members gathered to sample and learn more about the connection between Ireland and some of the world’s finest wines.

The evening was hosted by Susan Boyle (no, not that one!) whose ‘Wine Goose Chase’ show is a fascinating mixture of history, storytelling and of course, wine tasting. Having grown up in her family’s pub in Kildare, Susan has combined her love of theatre, drama, song and all matters grape-related over the years, to produce a highly entertaining and informative performance.

The Institute of Water group were fascinated to hear about the Irish winemakers who, undeterred by their beginnings in a grape-free land, went on to transform wine production in Europe and the New World over two thousand years.

Perhaps less surprising was the revelation that during the eighteenth century, Ireland imported considerably more wine than the whole of the rest of Britain!

The NI Area members were able to sample a range of very drinkable sparkling (Pinot Noir), white (Reisling) and red (Bordeaux) wines, which were accompanied by a delicious selection of

olives, local cheeses, breads and charcuterie. The evening was rounded off with a heart-warming

cognac (with Irish ancestry, of course) - the perfect end to a chilly January evening. Slainte!

MEMBERS ENJOY FASCINATING ‘LUNCH AND LEARN’ EVENT On the 19th January 2016, 20 members from the Northern Ireland Area enjoyed a fascinating ‘lunch and learn’ event entitled “Potential for Groundwater Augmentation of River Flow”.

Hydrogeologist Paul Wilson (The Geological Survey of Northern Ireland) presented the challenges and opportunities posed by Northern Ireland’s vast volumes of (largely unexploited) groundwater.

Paul’s presentation focused on his analysis of largely forgotten 1970’s studies by the Geological Survey into the Province’s aquifers and the potential option for artificially augmenting flows in rivers to maintain minimum ecological levels and increase raw water supply for Water Treatment.

Jim McElrath, NI Water and Paul Wilson, Geological Survey of NI

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The lecture was superbly presented with interesting insights into the practice of

evaluating ground water. For example, ground water needs to be dated for the purposes of effective augmentation of river flow to prevent adding relatively young water to a river which would end up there anyway through natural seepage into the streambed. One of the main methods of dating groundwater is to test for tritium which is now present in all water across the globe due to the nuclear weapons used at Hiroshima and Nagasaki.

The interest from those that attended was obvious in the question time which lasted almost as long as Paul’s presentation!

EASTERNAREANEWS

Water Innovators On 3 November Cranfield University hosted a joint IoW and WaterAid Event “Beyond Fundraising: How Can UK Water Professionals Contribute To The Global Water And Sanitation Challenge” The event was set up by the winning Water Innovators Team from Anglian Water “The Kathmanduers” to explore what else the UK Water Industry can do to help meet the challenges faced

by WaterAid in implementing water, sanitation and hygiene awareness programs. The Water Innovators challenge, set by WaterAid to the Water Industry, had three parts; fund, solve and learn. There were two real life challenges to choose from a water resource challenge focussed in rural Nepal and a sanitation challenge about public toilets in Kathmandu. As part of The Kathmanduers ‘solve’ solution to the public toilet challenge they took learning from Anglian Water and the UK Water Industry to show how developing a community owned brand could help improve the public toilets. This solution was presented as part of the IOW event.

The event was attended by members and non members of the IoW who had various backgrounds in the Water Industry, Students and academia.

The event started with Dr Richard Franceys giving a lively overview to the challenges faced globally when implementing water and sanitation solutions. The presentation was full of case studies from his experiences in this sector which was food for thought when it came to the workshop session later in the day.

On the theme of innovation Catherine Kemsley from AECOM gave a talk via teleconference about the work she did with Yorkshire Water in Bangladesh as part of the Sophie Awards.

The highlight of the day for me was the workshop run by Guy Norman, who is head of Evaluation, Research and Learning for Water & Sanitation for the Urban Poor (WSUP). The workshop was about the fictitious African City ‘Bedford’. It was a chance to work with others in the room and

think about how we would use our experience and knowledge to solve the challenges faced in ‘Bedford’. Each group presented their solution and we then voted on the best ideas. Several groups came up with a ‘twinning’ approach with Bedford to offer advice and technical expertise to problems over teleconference or Skype. Another popular idea was to have a “Brain Bank” where problems could be solved and answered by a pool of people. The winning solution for the day was a “Community Festival” to engage the community with sanitation and links to the environment.

The afternoon was a chance for a tour around the state of the art Cranfield Water Science Institute Laboratories where attendees got to see the latest developments in the nano membrane filtration system for recycling toilet water.

The day was captured in fantastic infographics by Debbie Roberts from Engage Visually.

Positive feedback following the event showed that attendants thoroughly enjoyed the day and would be interested in attending another similar event.

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Welsh Area Innovation Awards 2015 – 2016 2

The Liberty Stadium, Swansea, 14th January 2016 This January, the Welsh Area Institute of Water Innovation Awards 2015 / 2016 attracted over 220 delegates, who turned out in their finery, to celebrate a wide variety of innovations delivered within Welsh Area. The prestigious event was held at The Liberty Stadium, Swansea and hosted by BBC TV & Radio Wales presenter Roy Noble.

Area President Marc Davies welcomed, National Chair Ian Limb, Tim Wagstaff, Innovation Board Member and Ian Barker, Vice President Environment to the awards dinner, plus other distinguished guests – Gareth O’Shea, Executive Director for Operations South Wales, Natural Resources Wales, David Rosser, Director of Innovation, Welsh Government and Dave Taylor, Head of Water Services and Julia Cherrett, Managing Director Retail both of Dwr Cymru Welsh Water.

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Each year the competition is stiff and this year was no exception, with the Assessors receiving a record number of 44 entries over the five categories.

The winners were: Environment Award – Five Fords Gas to Grid, Welsh Water’s Capital & Energy Teams; Engineering Solutions - Advanced Automated Filter Wash Control, Welsh Water’s Water Services Science Team; Technological Advances - Chemcatcher® – Tracing Pesticides, Welsh Water’s Catchment Team, Natural Resources Wales & University of Portsmouth; People/ Customer Service - Weed Wiper Trial Partnership - Brush the Rush, Welsh Water’s Catchment Team; Idea Award - Drone Rangers, Jonathan Beddoe, Wastewater Assets, Welsh Water; Chairman's Award - Algae Hoover, Jimmy Owens, Operations PWS Production Welsh Water.

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Technological Advances, Catchment Team DCWW, winner presented by David Rosser, Director of Innovation, Welsh Government

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Sarah Harris picking up her CPD Award and Env Tech certificate from Ian Barker, Vice President Environment, Institute of Water

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Host Roy Noble

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Engineering winners, Water Service Science Team, DCWW, presented by Dave Taylor, Head of Water Services, Dwr Cymru Welsh Water

Environment Winners, Energy & Capital Delivery Teams DCWW, Presented by Gareth O’Shea, Executive Director for Operations South Natural Resources Wales

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Chairmans Award winner Jimmy Owens, presented by March Davies Area President IoW

Ideas Winner, Jonathan Beddoe, presented by Tim Wagstaff, Innovation Board Member, Institute of Water

The Overall Winner Award went to The Weed Wiper Trial Partnership - Brush the Rush, from Welsh Water’s Catchment Team. This will now go through to the Institute of Water National Innovation Awards, Birmingham in May 2016.

The Continuous Professional Development Award went to Sarah Harries, who works in Welsh Water’s Energy team. Sarah also picked up her Registered Environmental Technician Certificate from IoW Vice President for Environment, Ian Barker – this is the first award of its kind presented in the Welsh Area.

The event supports the charity WaterAid and

Welsh Area are pleased to report that this year’s raffle raised approx. £1,700 which will be doubled by the UK Government under WaterAid’s Deliver Life Campaign.

The IoW Welsh Area Committee would like to thank all those who submitted an entry to the innovation awards and congratulate the finalists and winners. A special thank you also goes to the volunteers who organised the event namely; Adrienne Walsh, Fiona Jehu, Anna Riddick, Maureen Taylor and Ashley Draisey and Steve Wilson, Alun Shurmer and Marc Davies for their input.

WELSH AREA CHRISTMAS SOCIAL

The Institute of Water Welsh Area would like to thank everyone who came to this year’s Christmas celebration event at the Bierkeller in Cardiff.

The event was kicked off in style with a Prosecco reception and a buffet on arrival at the popular Bavarian venue. After much socialising and networking, events took a more energetic turn when the Oompa Band entertainment started. With everyone joining in on the stein swilling bench dancing shenanigans it made for a fantastic evening!

Thanks once again for all those who made the evening so enjoyable, we hope to see you all at the next Institute of Water event in the New Year.

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WELSHAREANEWS

WELSH AREA AUTUMN FORUM 2015

On the 6th October 2015, the Welsh Area hosted their annual Autumn Forum at the Park Inn Hotel in Cardiff City Centre. The focus for the day was ‘Achieving More For Less; the AMP6 Challenge’ which was addressed from a variety of angles including Process Efficiency, Technology, Energy and a workshop focusing on people.

The event was an action packed day and a question panel made up of the speakers was very popular. The quality of the presentations was excellent and the range of different topics presented gave an interesting insight into a variety of projects and methods that have been used or will be used to achieve ‘More for Less’ both within and external to the water Industry.

The day started with our Key Note Speaker David Black, Director of Market and Economics at OFWAT. David’s presentation laid out the challenges that Water companies face in AMP6, the change from AMP5 to more of an outcome focus, the need to keep our customers engaged and the importance of resilience across our environment, assets and economy.

In addition the forum aspired to present an opportunity for delegates to build their Water Industry Network and the workshop on people management offered a fun and informative chance for this. The Workshop was facilitated by Nerys Davies from Worth Learning and was very thought provoking as we looked at how we can get more from ourselves and each other, to meet ever

RAINSCAPE

at Trevithick Lecture Theatre, Cardiff University

By Trystan Davies (Asset Performance Engineer, DCWW) On the 20th January, the Institute of Water Welsh Area held a joint evening event with CIWEM in Cardiff, to learn about RainScape.

RainScape is the approach taken to managing surface water entering the combined sewer network within Dwr Cymru Welsh Water’s area of operations. The event, presented by Michelle Russ (RainScape Regulation Manager at DCWW), was a well-attended and informative event. The presentation gave a fascinating overview of the reasons why DCWW are initiating this, the targets to be achieved, what challenges and lessons learned have been experienced, how it can be implemented and case studies of some RainScape schemes. Of particular interest was how DCWW were able to engage with a multitude of stakeholders and to work on assets outside of their statutory powers to benefit not just the business but the local communities and environment. This process has, in some cases, achieved in excess of 70% surface water reduction into the sewer system allowing DCWW to pursue a more sustainable waste water asset management approach.’

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increasing demands at the workplace by utilising the OSCAR Coaching method. Delegates were given the chance to ‘OSCAR’ each other, resulting in some actions to take back to their workplace.

The forum was opened and closed by the Welsh Area President Marc Davies and was organised by the Welsh Area’s young members as an opportunity for continual personal development. We would like to thank all of the presenters for providing us with such an interesting, informative and thought provoking day. Additionally we would like to thank everyone involved in the forum’s organisation; in particular the project team, Catherine Lunn, Faye Ward, Katie Pardoe, Sophie Straiton, Anna Riddick, Katie Parish and Nathan Jolliffe. Look out for details on our 2016 Autumn Forum.

BREAKFAST SEMINAR Introduction to Water Microbiology

A presentation was given by Rhys Stephens, Head of the Microbiology Department at Glaslyn, Dwr Cymru Welsh Water, entitled ‘Introduction to Water Microbiology’. Rhys is a Chartered Biologist and Chartered Scientist having worked in food and water microbiology for 13 years. This presentation was delivered at Glaslyn, Dwr Cymru Welsh Waters’ state of the art potable water analytical testing facility which opened in 2012, specialising in Organic and Inorganic Chemistry, Cryptosporidium and Microbiology.

The presentation gave a brief history into the discovery of waterbourne disease, an introduction into the current methodologies used in the laboratory, an awareness of regulations and quality assurance associated with potable water testing and then finished with a case study to highlight the importance of ensuring the wholsome supply of drinking water. This presentation was well attended with very positive feedback received, encouraging further presentations to be delivered on other analytical testing methods carried out at Glaslyn.

MIDLANDSAREANEWS

MIDLANDS AREA CHARITY GOLF DAY – JUNE 2015 This year we were proud to donate monies to two well-deserving charitable institutions.

Left to right: Dave Wood (IoW), Gill Wood (IoW), Aaron Coleman (Community Fundraiser, St Giles’ Hospice), Pete Aspley (SSW) and Steve Thomas (IWS) Just before Christmas 2015, Dave and I with Pete Aspley, South Staffordshire Water and Steve Thomas from Integrated Water Services, visited St Giles hospice in south Staffordshire.

It was a pleasure and a privilege to visit this impressive organisation again and to hand over a cheque for £1,500.

a wonderful £1,500 in support of St Giles. This very generous donation will really help us to make a difference to the lives of local people living with cancer and other serious illnesses. It ensures that St Giles are able to continue proving specialist care free of charge to over 500 local people each week, as well as developing services in order to care for more local people.”

“On behalf of everyone here at the Hospice, thank you so much for raising

ST GILES HOSPICE – YOUR LOCAL HOSPICE St Giles Hospice is an independent Midlands charity caring for people living with cancer and other serious illnesses. Founded in 1983, St Giles has become one of the leading providers of care and support for local people and their families affected by life-threatening illness, in the region.

Covering a population of over 800,000, care is delivered in people’s own homes, and in St Giles’ specialist centres in Sutton Coldfield, Whittington and Walsall. All services are provided free of charge.

It costs just over £24,000 per day to provide the range of services that St Giles offers, and we rely heavily on the support and generosity of the local community, to fund our care.

Today St Giles cares for over 500 patients each week, with 80% of this delivered out in the community. The charity requires over £9 million

to continue to deliver our services to the local community.

With 1 in 3 of us touched by hospice care in our lifetime, future financial support is so important to St Giles Hospice, as we continue to see an everincreasing number of patients and their families turning to us for care and support. Demand for our services is estimated to grow by 150% over the next 20 years. It is crucial we plan for the future in order to meet this increasing demand, and that is why your support is so important to us at St Giles Hospice.

The care and support we offer would not be possible without the generosity of our local community, so thank you to everyone who supports St Giles Hospice, and helps us to make such a difference to lives of local people living with cancer and other serious illnesses. To keep up to date with all the news from St Giles Hospice or to make a donation visit our website www.stgileshospice.com or call us on 01543 432538.

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2016 kicks off with success The Northern Area team started 2016 with a flurry of events involving Sheffield University and new Lunch and Learn sessions.

CAREERS AND INNOVATION DAY Sheffield University, 14 January In a first of it’s type event the Northern area were delighted a host a careers and innovation day jointly hosted by the Sheffield Water Centre.

Andrew Baker who attended from Northumbrian Water thought the time spent away from his normal role as a Network Analyst was well worth it, It was a fantastic opportunity to spend time discussing some of the key issues facing the water industry and network with the people at the forefront of tackling them. I came away with a few ideas that really resonated with what I do in my role and also with some inspiration for my own personal development.”

The full day event which included the final of the Northern area innovation awards, a supplier’s showcase, careers fair, technical presentations and a tour of the university’s lab was held on Thursday 14th January in the red brick Mappen Hall.

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Panton McLeod’s Paul Henderson, who also volunteers for the Institute of Water committee was really pleased with the day, “It was really satisfying seeing the mix of attendees at the event, we had undergraduates, research fellows, supply chain, local authority and water company staff all within the same space. Watching them make connections, discuss challenges and plan future collaborations was fantastic.”

you to everyone who took part or helped with the planning, especially Vanessa Speight and her team at the university.”

“This is the first time we have held an event of this type and although we may change the timing next year, I think this event, and the partnership with Sheffield Water Centre is something of real value to build on. I would like to say a huge thank

“It was notable that the atmosphere was so friendly, and shows what a brilliant sector the water industry is, I hope we have been able to inspire some of the students to consider a career in the industry.”

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After shortlisting by a panel of industry experts the top three groups presented their projects during the afternoon session, after some testing questions from the judges, the overall innovation award winner was decided by an audience vote. Congratulations go to United Utilities (Dynamic Demand) and Northumbrian Water (Water Rangers) as runners up, and winners Northumbrian Water / South Tyneside Council for their partnership project Fellgate Flood Alleviation Scheme.

A short video of the day can be seen via this link www.youtube.com/watch?v=9e4ilNW9aek

NORTHERNAREANEWS

BEING BEST PREPARED FOR THE FUTURE Lunch and Learn, 27 January and 29 January

The two lunchtime sessions gave members and non-members a taste of topics covered at the most recent National Conference using the News 2020 video to set the scene for a group discussion about key long term uncertainties and factors that will influence our industry in the future.

David Gardener, Technical Support Advisor at Northumbrian Water talks about his experience at the Lunch and Learn held at Northumbrian Water.

“Back in July 2015 you might remember the Annual Institute of Water Conference took place in Cambridge focusing on ‘Business in the New World; Innovation, Collaboration, Transformation’.

Having not taken part in the Annual Conference in 2015 I seen the lunch and learn session at Boldon House as an ideal opportunity to catch up and get peoples opinion on what was discussed.

At the beginning of the event we were shown

a video compiled by Anglian Water. The video was shot as a news program from the year 2020, reporting on the issues we might face then, relating to topics from the present day. The video was fantastic and really hit home with some tough subjects being discussed, all relative to the challenges we face as a business. One news item showed internal flooding to a customer’s property and business with an interview where the customer explains this happens time and time again with nothing being done about it. This video led into a discussion around collaboration and how effective it can be to help make a difference.

Marie-Pierre Whaley, Asset Planning Manager, spoke about how we should no longer be looking at issues with the typical ‘who’s going to pay’ perspective but more about lets look at the issue together, do the study and see collectively what we can do about it. The example used was the Fellgate flood risk alleviation scheme which recently won the IoW Northern area Innovation

award. The project saw Northumbrian Water, South Tyneside Council and the Environment Agency create a sustainable urban drainage system around an estate in Jarrow to help reduce the flood risk to the properties. This project is an excellent example of what can be achieved when everyone looks at the bigger picture and works in collaboration to find a solution for the customer.

One of the main things I take from all the IOW events I attend, no matter what job role you have within the water company, you realise that we all play a major part in delivering a service to our customers and we do operate as one big team. You may not be aware what role others play within that team or what work is going on in the background but events like this give you a good insight into what is happening outside of your department or company and they also give you a sense of allegiance knowing other people have the same views, opinions and goals as yourself.”

SPONSORSHIP After launching our first ever area sponsorship initiative mid-way through 2015 we were delighted to both continue some of these relationships into 2016, and also welcome some exciting new partners.

At the time of writing the Northern area is proud to present six area sponsors for 2016 so far, further packages are available starting from £300 and we would love to have you on board.

Involvement in this manner is a brilliant way to promote CPD within your organisation, access to latest best practice, network within the Northern area and also to support the growth of your business.

Our 2016 area partners are : Platinum – Yorkshire Water Gold – Z-Tech Solutions & CSC Services Silver – Anthire & Sheffield Water Centre Bronze – Red Vanilla One of our returning partners is Z-Tech Solutions, Luke Stanbridge from Z-Tech Controls explains why they have renewed their Gold sponsorship, “We’ve really enjoyed getting involved in the Institute of Water Northern Area Events throughout 2015, they have been informative and we’ve met a great mix of fun and interesting

people. Both myself and our MD, Michael Swinhoe, are always looking forward to going back to our roots in the North, and given we are in the process of expanding North as a company, it gives us the opportunity to get more involved with events. We’re looking forward to supporting IOW Northern Area throughout 2016 and beyond.”

For more information about partnership opportunities please contact the Northern area partnership lead Paul Henderson on 07767 653764 or paul.henderson@ pantonmcleod.co.uk

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Back to school – no dungeons but plenty of dragons Mandhy Senewiratne, lead organiser, MWH sustainability consultant and ‘head teacher’ of the 2015 Institute of Water South East Area Interactive Weekend School reviews how the ‘class’ performed in their Leadership, Communications and Team Building lessons at the 2015 South East Area Weekend School.

Roaring Dragons of today and tomorrow As dawn broke last September, the meerkats of Marwell Zoo, were peering over their mound wondering what adventures would befall them that day. A stone throw away, 25 delegates entered Marwell Hotel, similarly apprehensive of the 48 hours ahead of them in “Getting to the Top with your Team” at the Weekend School.

I led a ‘School board’ of fellow organisers and ‘Tomorrow’s dragons’ including Ben Mowatt of Veolia, James Baker from Portsmouth Water (PW) and Sharna Richings of Thomson Habitats. We commenced by explaining to students that all sessions were multi-purpose, including aspects of communication, leadership, teamwork and networking, in preparation for future leadership positions. Additionally, the programme offered many passive learning opportunities, from senior members of the industry acting as guest presenters, dragons and mentors. Students were advised to closely note their methods of selfpromotion, selling and networking.

After reminders of School Rules fines for latecomers, not displaying badges or wearing flipflops on Friday; our Motto - “Change is as good as rest” – evidenced by the packed curriculum

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and our Goal of ensuring each ‘student’ can competitively debate within 48 hours – school began.

never felt like I have wanted to come into work and achieve something, more than during his speech,” said Hayley Wakeford (PW).

First Day

Who would you throw out of a hot air balloon?

Inspirational dragon, Dr Piers Clarke kicked-off the school assembly with humorous accounts of his career journey from lead singer in a band, to fond times at Thames Water, challenges at Mouchel, lessons learnt at Blackstone to his current ‘home’ at Isle Utilities.

He then outlined tools to help students manage their careers, emphasising the importance of: n Sustainability and being aware of key issues like declining phosphorous stocks n Humility – 30,000 children die every year due to lack of clean water n Millionaire status – sorry not the industry for would be millionaires n Setting impossible goals to keep you motivated and striving to make possible, the impossible “Piers Clarke, set the tone for the weekend. I have

First period was led by mentors Kitty ParkerBrookes (world champion debater) and Chris McGeever (professional barrister and magician) of Debatemate as featured on Sky TV’s “Kings and Queens of Speech”. In under 48 hours they had to prepare delegates for their biggest challenge of the school, the Windmill Dragon debates; competitive debating, in front of the whole school and its guest industry dragons, in a traditional four-on-four format.

Learning began with “Hot Air Balloon” a debating game where four students had to convince the audience to throw the other three out of the balloon. Simultaneously, they introduced technical aspects of debating including: n PEEL (Point, Explanation, Example and Link) n How to effectively Interrupt the Opposition via POIs or Point of Information

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Z-Tech Date night at the zoo In a matter of hours, previously docile delegates were transformed into vocal instruments of justice. Helen Millmore (Southern Water) commented; “Amazing, practical, interactive, learn by doing, instant feedback – best way to learn.” Hannah Warburton (South East Water) added “Great fun, really useful. I love how everyone was so confident at the end.”

After school, it was playtime (networking) at the local pub and participating in a riotous quiz hosted and sponsored by IWater National Chair and PW HR manager, Ian Limb.

Day Two Keeping to the rules all students solemnly observed Cappagh’s Flip-Flop Friday by donning outrageously colourful flip-flops to raising funds for Gandy’s Orphans for Orphans formed by courageous British teenagers, Rob and Jon Forkan. Orphaned in Sri Lanka following the tsunami, their determination and leadership created Gandy’s to help fellow orphans Lessons commenced with me taking students through a repertoire of vocal exercises and games used by the Royal Shakespeare Company to increase vocal dexterity. Those on the ‘School Board’, known as ‘tomorrow’s dragons’, (in the industry less than ten years), then held a frank session sharing their career journeys to date. Sharna, Ben and James also talked about their different routes into the Water industry (university, graduate scheme, apprenticeship), professional development, CPD and more.

Commenting on the school, James Baker, Project Manager, PW said; “Great satisfaction playing a part in future industry leader’s development journey”.

Students concurred that the best advice probably came from Sharna who counselled: “Step out of your comfort zone, I have been my own hindrance! And set aside time to develop your own personal goals.” Closely followed by “Don’t look back in anger,” from ex-boy band member, Ben, in response to “Do you have any regrets?”

Jay Carlin of Emerge then facilitated a session on bringing out your inner Dragon; using leadership lessons, SDI personality profiling

A lesson in leadership styled in flip -flops via some intelligent interactive games and creative gadgets. Hayley (PW) commented; “The leadership session taught me a huge amount about teamwork. That sometimes you just have to do as you are told, but also that I could be a leader one day … that everybody has the potential to be one if they want to.”

Amy Gallop (PW) added; “I found it very beneficial, especially the leadership training.

It was interesting to learn what type of leader I am, what others expect of a good leader and experiencing through role play how it feels when you do not communicate with your team and give them a purpose.”

From lessons in leadership to the real deal Tea with Mussolini sponsored by Saint Gobain allowed students to meet four well-known leaders. Luke Stanbridge, Head of Marketing and Communications, Z-Tech; Adrian Mercer Technical Director, Veolia UK; Mandy Ferguson MD Europe, HARLEQUIN Books and Andrew Thornton, Head of project development Northern Europe, HACHLange who shared their challenges on the route to the top, over fresh tea and scones The day concluded with a pilot mentoring event that I had developed, “The Z-Tech Speed Mentoring and Networking Event by Sunset Safari” which paired dragons with delegates.

In speed dating style, mentors and mentees were matched in terms of various “dating requirements”: From the mentee point of view Keelan O’Neill (PW) ; “The speed mentoring event was excellent, it enabled me to speak one to one with mentors who could advise me with CPD; I will be keeping in touch with mentor, Andy Thornton to improve my contacts within Thames Water and a number of London based contractors.“ From the mentors perspective, Luke Stanbridge, Z-Tech commented; “I’d never heard of ‘speed mentoring’ before… all mentees were very engaging and I would be happy to see them again, one of them I was able to help directly the following week!”.

The night ended with a private guided tour of the Marwell Zoo and onsite BBQ – a perfect date night.

School’s out Saturday dawned, and the once meek pupils had metamorphosed into sleek competitors ready to participate in the Windmill Dragon Debates, sponsored by Windmill Insight Solutions. The Dragons - Milo Purcell, Deputy Chief Executive, DrinkingIWater Inspectorate, David Port, Nonexecutive director Options Energy, Mike Kirk, Chairman Portsmouth Water and Andy Thornton, who returned as a Dragon, judged six rounds of grueling debating. From random topics such as “This house believes that the chicken comes before the egg” to the more contentious; “This house believes that if you don’t want to get flooded, you shouldn’t live on a flood plain,” the POIs flew ruthlessly.

All delegates received individual feedback from the Dragons on how they might improve their performance. Finally, the winners were declared and a team of four individuals who had never met before, who all admitted public speaking was not their forte, emerged victorious in an incredibly competitive scenario. Congratulations to Rachel Wensely, South West Water; Christina Charalambou, Hach; Keelan O'Neil and Amy Gallop both from PW.

End of term report Given it’s a very demanding weekend, we were delighted with ‘students’ very positive feedback Comments included; Martyn Weightman (PW); “Debating and speaking in front of lots of people is not really something that comes naturally to me but after the first round of debating, I just wanted to get up and do it again.” Afzal Ginwalla (Thames Water) added; “Loved networking, great ideas and amazing effort. Loved working in a team of people I'd never met.”

So did we achieve the goals we set ourselves?

It maximised skill building in terms of communication and debating, in an intensive but supportive and informal environment and all delegates spoke and debated in public.

As Ben surmised “It’s a collective yes from the delegates and us at the school board. See you next year!”

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THE SOUTH EAST AREA 2016 INNOVATION AWARDS

A big thank you to all the speakers for making the day such a success

The 2016 Innovation Awards were held in February at Thales. This year six applications were initially received however only four of these were successfully shortlisted to present their innovations.

South East Water: Using eDNA techniques to identify the presence of Great Crested Newts Portsmouth Water: Identifying mains renewals that will have the greatest impact on customers South East Water: The ROAMER mobile app South East Water: Optimising the AMP6 process The presentations were made to an audience of South East Area members that also included 3 high profile Dragons: Neville Smith, South East Area President and Managing Director of Portsmouth Water

Steve Newman being presented with his Award

by National Chairman Ian Limb

Phil Townend, External Communications Business Partner, Thales Tim Wagstaff, Institute of Water Board Member and Demand Planning Project Manager, Essex & Suffolk Water On completion of the presentations, each member of the audience was asked to cast their vote on the applicant they thought had delivered the best innovation. The results of the voting were then past to the Dragons who used the results to aid their decision in choosing a winner.

It must be said that all four presentations were excellent and it was a shame that only one would be taking home the prestigious award. However

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the Dragons had great pleasure in announcing that the winner was Steve Newman, (Lead Environmental Engineer, South East Water) for his submission around the use of eDNA to identify the presence of Great Crested Newts.

Steveâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s application will now form part of the National Innovation Awards and the South East Area wishes him luck when the results of this are announced in May.

A big thank you has to go to all the speakers for their presentations and for contributing to another successful Innovations Event. A special mention of thanks must also go to Thales who have supported and hosted this event since its conception; they have always given us great hospitality and it is a great setting for us to hold such an event.

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IOW SOUTH EAST AREA YOUNG PERSON FORUM The South East Area held the 2015 Young Person Forum on the 19th of November at Primayer House, Hampshire.

Neville Smith (South East Area President) welcomed us and was followed by Kevin Brook (Primayer) who gave us an insight in to the work Primayer does. The evening was chaired by Benjamin Mowatt (Veolia, the South East Area’s Rising Star 2015).

Left to Right: Kevin Brook (Primayer), Martyn Brown (Portsmouth Water), Jenny Kay (MWH), James Brockwell (SEW), Josephine Herschan (Veolia), Neville Smith (Portsmouth Water), Benjamin Mowatt (Veolia), Simon Bye (SEW)

Jenny Kay (MWH) kicked off the evening with a talk on Microbial Fuel Cells – Poo Power. Here we­ explored how it’s possible to generate electricity using our own waste and bacteria and the potential application in the Wastewater Industry.

The talk aimed to change our views on waste and to encourage some home experiments! Also to think about what it is that we are flushing down the toilet and apply this to the rest of life – let’s analyse the assets that we have.

Next, Simon Bye (South East Water) gave a great interactive session testing us on the statistics of the ongoing growth of social media throughout the world and made us think about our usage. He illustrated the power of Twitter and how it helps raise the profile of South East Water and keep their work visible. We learnt that social media is neither good nor bad; it is only as good as what you are putting on it. Social media has the power to spread information all-round the world and bring people and causes together.

Josephine Herschan (Veolia) showed us that variety is the spice of life and how her time in the mines of Australia, travelling, volunteering and now working for Veolia has enhanced her career and life. She would encourage us all to seek out as many different experiences as we can!

James Brockwell (South East Water) then shared

with us his journey from being a network modeller to a Civil Engineer. He reminded us to invest in our network models, they are often the basis for multi-million pound projects and yet if they were created using poor data they will only give us poor predictions. Modelling software and social media are both are incredibly powerful tools but are only as good as the content we put in them. So let’s make sure that what we contribute to them both is good quality and what we give our attention to is worth our time.

Lastly we had Martyn Brown (Portsmouth Water) who talked about his different route into

engineering. Despite his lack of love for Maths, his natural instincts for Electronics paved the way to his success. Having undertaken a placement at Portsmouth Water whilst at university, he showed such promise that he was offered a job for when he graduated. With his dry sense of humour he had the room in stitches and this may be the start of the Institute’s first comedy club.

It was a wonderful evening with five great talks from some of the youngest members of the Institute of Water. Thank you to Primayer for hosting and the South East Area for organising the event.

ROADSHOWS INCREASE AWARENESS The south east committee have recently embarked on running a series of roadshows within companies in the area to increase awareness and membership of the Institute of Water. These events have provided an opportunity to hear first-hand the benefits of IoW membership through current members being available to answer questions and provide detail on the various routes to professional registration and information on the regular networking events run in the area.

To date, events have been held at Thames Water and Sutton and East Surrey Water, both attracting a flurry of visitors from a variety of different departments including Developer Services, IS, Water Quality, Water Efficiency

and Waste Quality and Compliance. Further roadshows are planned for South East Water and Southern Water, details of which will be available soon.

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SOUTHWESTAREANEWS

It’s just not cricket!

In early November the South West Area descended on the RNLI training centre in Poole to confirm, once and for all, that ODIs have nothing to do with cricket.

By Jason Harvey and Mark Hitchmough Area President Toby Harding introduced proceedings on a noisy Friday evening with Fireworks illuminating the dark skies around Poole Harbour. We were treated to three different views on Outcome Delivery Incentives from Mark Worsfold of South West Water, Ed Bunn of Skanska and Ian Walker of WRc. Even those who’d arrived in full cricket whites were not disappointed, as the three presenters offered very different opinions on the purpose, value and delivery of ODI targets.

Debate continued long into the pub crawl along Poole Quay.

Day two introduced the Technology Market Place where our 6 event sponsors; HyRam, Innovyze, LSC Group, Primayer, SEAMS and Z-Tech; were given five minutes to present their services and products, as the groups of delegates rotated round their exhibition stands. It was an excellent way of learning a lot in a short space of time.

Whilst we regained our breath, the RNLI kindly presented their views on delivery incentives. As far as incentives go, saving nearly 500 lives a year is an impressive challenge. We knew that the RNLI was entirely funded by donations, but probably not that it cost around £150m a year to run. From the £2.5m it costs to build a new, all weather boat to the £16 it costs for a pair of gloves for a crew

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member, everything is paid for by contributions.

Having heard the stories, most of the delegates were more than willing to support the work done by the 200 volunteer rescue crews around the British Coast.

Formal proceedings were concluded by a selection of papers on the tools and strategies used to deliver ODIs with Toby joined at the lectern by Bob Taylor of Bournemouth Water and Nigel Martin of Wessex Water. Once again a lively debate followed, that was only limited by the time we had left in the seminar.

There was enough material and interest to keep us going for the rest of the day but tradition dictates that the South West weekend school is a blend of specific water industry learning and engagement and social/recreational activity, and the 2015 event was no exception. With the school running in the week before Remembrance Sunday it was decided that a visit to the local Bovington Tank Museum would be very apt. Bovington became synonymous with Tanks from the creation of Heavy Branch Machine Gun Corps in the 19th Century. It is said that in the early 1900’s, part of the veiled secrecy of tank development, residents of adjacent villages were instructed to draw their curtains and look-away as trains arrived carrying mysterious huge iron machines – which one can understand with names like Little and Big Willy.

At the end of WW1 large numbers of surviving tanks were returned from the European battlefields to Bovington and though many were scrapped and recycled to produce machines for WW2, enough remain to appreciate the impact they must have had.

The museum is crammed with all manner of strange machines – some carrying the title of ‘funnies’ –with exceptional and innovative capabilities developed to overcome specific battlefield challenges. Certainly not ‘funny’ if they were rumbling in your direction; spitting all manner of malevolent stuff.

The SW Area group were amazed by the appalling environments the tank crews had to endure.

Asphyxiating from combustion fumes, drowning whilst crossing rivers, or one of your own projectiles exploding, were equally as lifethreatening as anything the enemy might do. The visit re-enforced the admiration we had for the bravery of the men who operated these machines.

The Weekend School concluded with an excellent dinner at the RNLI and an early night, before the delegates headed home with many thoughts to occupy them on the journey.

Many thanks to all who contributed their time and to the sponsors who supported the event.

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