Institute of Water Journal 191

AUTUMN2016 ISSUE191

DRILLING AND TAPPING WASTEWATER SOLUTIONS CATCHMENT MANAGEMENT PIPELINE TECHNOLOGY BACK TO BASICS INSTITUTE OF WATER JOURNAL

CONTENTS

INTRODUCTION As a former Institute of Water Rising Star, I was asked to write this introduction and I had to think back to 2013 to recall the time I was on the Programme. Only three years ago but so much has happened since as a result. For those that haven’t heard about the Rising Stars Programme, it was founded in 2012 by the Institute of Water; it provides a unique platform for early career water professionals to engage with water industry leaders, access bespoke conferences and offers opportunities to explore all corners of the sector. The 2017 application is open throughout September, so it seems an opportune moment to reflect on my own experience and share thoughts on why it’s so valuable and worth the effort to apply. When I was selected I was working at Anglian Water, I had started on the graduate programme and by that point progressed to an operational water supply role. So 3 years on, what impact did the Rising Star Programme have on my career trajectory?

One of the first opportunities I was given as a ‘Rising Star’ was to deliver a 20-minute presentation at the Institute of Water Annual Conference in Edinburgh. It felt a big step to be asked to present alongside water company CEOs and contribute to debates on evolution in the Water Industry. I was nervous and wanted to make the most of the opportunity, so I spent a lot of time preparing and researching for my presentation. The process really changed my ideas about public speaking and has shaped my delivery of all subsequent presentations.

During the Programme, I was also asked to write an article for the IWA Journal on the skills shortage in the water sector and how programmes such as Rising Stars can offer part of the solution. It was published and as a result I was invited to sit on a panel at the Lisbon IWA Congress to debate the subject. Ultimately this opened up my involvement with the IWA and the Young Water Professionals Network (YWP); I ended up on the UK IWA Committee and leading the organisation of the International YWP Conference, which took place this earlier year at the University of East Anglia in Norwich.

It is now evident that the knock on effect of opportunities that came from being on the Rising Stars Programme also shaped my career progression. After writing, presenting and debating about some of the challenges facing the water industry, I became more interested in

innovation and new technologies. I transferred into the Innovation Team at Anglian Water and then moved into my current role at Isle Utilities; a consultancy driving innovation and new technologies for the water sector. This year I was also selected to attend the Young Water Leaders Summit at Singapore International Water Week and was elected Chair for the Institute of Water Eastern Area Committee.

In summary the Rising Stars Programme made me realise that my voice as a young water professional is valued and opened doors for me to explore, engage and contribute to current debates and connect with other water professionals beyond my own workplace.

Despite moving jobs, I have retained and built upon the contacts and networks I acquired through the Programme, which is extremely valuable for career progression. Based on this experience, if you are young water professional looking to progress my advice would be do not hesitate and apply for this intake, and think about how you could use the year to stimulate your career progression and contribute to your local area Institute of Water committee.

Applications for the Institute of Water Rising Stars Programme 2016 are open throughout September. For more information visit www.instituteofwater.org.uk/rising-stars/

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Features 16-41 Wastewater 46-55 Back to Basics 58-65 Pipeline Technology 66-82 Catchment Management

Regulars 4-5 Members Update

6 Environment News 7 WaterAid 8 Drilling and Tapping

10 Mentoring 94-106 Area News

If you’re reading this after September 2016 then be sure to visit the website and apply next year.

Benjamin Tam

Senior Technology Consultant Isle Utilities

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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INSTITUTE OF WATER ANNUAL CONFERENCE 2017

We’re delighted to announce that our 2017 event will be held in Manchester across 14-16 June 2017. More information will be made available on our website in due course.

INSTITUTE OF WATER ANNOUNCES PARTNERSHIP WITH PANTON MCLEOD TO DELIVER INTRODUCTION TO THE UK WATER INDUSTRY COURSE The Institute of Water is delighted to announce a new partnership with Panton McLeod to deliver its Introduction to the UK Water Industry course.

The course offers a comprehensive up-to-date overview of the water and wastewater industry in the UK and provides those involved with, or working in, the water sector an understanding of all aspects of the water cycle and the management and delivery of this essential service.

Lynn Cooper, Institute of Water Chief Executive, said: ‘Initially aimed at newcomers to the water industry or those moving into a new role, the course has been well-received by people from a range of disciplines at different stages in their career, exposing them to aspects of the water sector outside their day-to-day routine. We are

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delighted to be working with Panton McLeod to take this initiative forward as a platform for anyone in the water sector with an interest in developing their career.’

Jim Panton, Panton McLeod Chief Executive, said: ‘We are delighted to be partnering the Institute of Water in the provision of this course. We have benefited from exposure to industry wide best practice and CPD through the Institute of Water for a number of years. Being selected as a partner to pass this knowledge back to the wider industry makes us very proud.’

The Institute of Water Introduction to the UK Water Industry course covers all the functions involved in the delivery of a water service and provides a comprehensive overview of the UK water and wastewater industry. It identifies the key drivers and economic value chain in sector and explores issues affecting the future of water service provision in the UK and beyond.

The course is available book now via ceris.vandevyver@pantonmcleod.co.uk

MEMBERSUPDATE

CONNECTIONS 2ENERGY

The team at connections2energy have a combined experience of over 60 years in the utility industry.

We are rapidly becoming the utility connections provider of choice in the UK. We are modern in our approach to handling your request, we listen to your requirements and endeavour to give you what you need, when you need it.

Connections2energy are thriving in a very competitive market as a family owned and run business. This enables us to work together with common values and goals, strong commitment, loyalty and stability. We look to take this into all our partnerships with all clients when delivering our service to you. We are strong communicators and are always willing to go that extra mile to help. We are committed to providing a first class service and ensuring you are kept informed throughout your journey with us.

Our team are trained to a high level to enable us to provide our clients with the level of service that you deserve. We have a wealth of experience in specialist water projects such as Water Impact Assessments, pipe bridges and diversions We also arrange new connections or disconnections, service alterations and will project manage any metering needs that our clients require.

IWA CONNECT The International Water Association (IWA) has recently launched a brand new web platform for its members called IWA Connect.

Unique in the busy world of social media and professional platforms, IWA Connect offers an opportunity to build a global online community dedicated to the water sector and its professionals.

Recently launched, IWA Connect is already thriving, with professionals from different countries, backgrounds and areas of interest sharing knowledge; engaging in Q and A sessions; stimulating debate through blog posts; networking and knowledge transfer within welcoming specialist groups and finding out about local, regional and global conferences and events.

In a world increasingly needing to bridge divides and break out of silos, the IWA is building a cohesive network of water sector professionals who are creating impact to address global water challenges. For this to be possible, we need more openness and

fewer boundaries to enable conversations and collaborations that reach across sectors, industries and regions.

IWA Connect is the perfect arena for water professionals to collaborate and start to realise the IWA vision of living in a “water wise world in which water is wisely managed to satisfy the needs of human activities and ecosystems in an equitable and sustainable way.”

If this sounds like you then join us on the IWA United Kingdom page; browse the array of specialist groups; develop your profile and start making your contribution to the community of knowledge which is rapidly growing on IWA Connect.

Join the community now at www.iwa-connect.org or for any further information, feel free to contact Luke Dennis, IWA UK Young Water Professional Chair at luke.dennis@nwl.co.uk

KITE UTILITY SERVICES KITE are a growing Engineering services maintenance, repair, and installation company with over 25 years’ experience in mechanical and electrical engineering maintenance, and 20 years specifically within water and water-recycling sector.

We aim to provide total sustainable solutions within the industry through collaboratively working with our customers assisting them to achieve compliance with environmental and governing bodies. These efficiencies are founded on correct intervention refurbishing and replacing

existing assets, maintaining security of sites and delivering outstanding levels of quality and service.

Our commitment to providing the most up-to-date training, equipment, and information ensures our engineers comply with all current legislation and Health and Safety requirements. We also actively support Water Aid charitable causes.

To find out more please visit our website www.kiteus.co.uk or contact us: enquiries@kiteus.co.uk or 01480 407304

Our in-depth knowledge and understanding of pumping stations, water-recycling plant and clean water processes provides our customers with confidence.

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ENVIRONMENTNEWS

New Professional Registrants Congratulations to our latest professional registrants…

Chartered Environmentalist

Chartered Scientist

Thomaz Andrade

Nick Womack

Dwr Cymru

Anglian Water

I have worked in the water industry as a drinking water catchment scientist for almost five years.

My role requires a broad understanding of how the way in which people use the land, rivers and reservoirs for work and leisure can affect public water supplies. It is a relatively new area within the water industry and focuses on developing new ways of addressing water quality issues at the source. I am honoured to have become a chartered environmentalist and believe the extra professional recognition will support my career growth in addition to helping raise the profile of catchment management within the company and in the industry as a whole.

I recently gained Chartered Scientist status with the Institute of Water (IoW). After around 20 years of working in the industry with Anglian Water I thought it was time I gained professional recognition for the work I do.

I am now looking forward for further exchanging of knowledge with colleagues in the industry and in the wider environmental sector.

I have benefited from each step of the Chartership application, including the CPD process, reflecting on my own challenges and achievements while writing the competencies report and the constructive discussion in the final interview with like-minded colleagues.

The regulation of industrial discharges such as tanneries goes back to mediaeval times in London. It is a fundamental requirement in any society and protects both public health and water quality, however it is little understood outside the immediate group of people who work in trade effluent. I see my membership and involvement in the IoW as being dual purpose; to promote the knowledge, understanding and importance of trade effluent across the industry and also to encourage my staff to attain membership of IoW, gain professional status and use the opportunities membership affords to further their careers.

Registered Scientist

Registered Science Technician

Nicole Davies

Urszula Polata

Anglian Water

Anglian Water

I had been working on my Registered Scientist application on and off for almost a year, with the final push to get it completed being prompted by changes expected as part of the new AMP.

I was very pleased when I found out that I have been rewarded with a Registered Science Technician Certificate. It means a lot to me that my knowledge and experience has been recognised. It will help me with my career by demonstrating that I keep the highest standards of whatever I do.

I felt it was important for me to be able to evidence the skills and knowledge I had learnt to enable me to benefit from any opportunities the changes would bring.

I felt that the Registered Scientist Status was the perfect way to show this. I had great support from my mentors and took the opportunity to speak to others who had recently gained Registered Science status to learn more about the process. Gaining this status has given me a boost in confidence, especially around my scientific abilities when I looked back at what I had achieved over the last 5 years in Anglian Water. I would recommend to anyone who is thinking about applying just to apply instead of waiting and putting it off.

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I lead a team of around 20 staff who regulate the discharge of trade effluent into the sewers across the Anglian region. My team help to protect people, plant, processes and the environment from any detrimental discharges.

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I have been encouraged by my manager to apply and the application itself helped with my training as we could see on which areas of my role I still needed to work on. That was very useful.

This Certificate opens doors and opportunities by allowing to get actively involved with the professional body. There are many ways to continue professional development and everyone can find something for themselves.

I was very happy when I was accepted for the training to become an Assessor myself as it gives me a chance to advance my scientific profession and to give something back.

WATERAID

Celebrating 35 years in partnership 35 years ago, a group of bold leaders from the UK water industry came together to discuss how the industry should respond to the global water and sanitation crisis. Together they set up a charity to fund clean water and safe sanitation projects in some of the world’s poorest communities – this was the beginning of WaterAid. Over the last 35 years, despite major changes in the water industry, support for WaterAid has remained constant. Last year alone employees,

TOUGH TOILET CHALLENGE Join WaterAid this October to get your hands (and everything else) dirty! Be one of 2,000 participants to run, splash and climb over 20 toilet themed obstacles in aid of WaterAid. Conquer the Toilet Toil, cross the Sewers Canal, survive the Poo Catcher and pass lots of U Bends along the way. Find out more and secure your place at www.toughsht.co.uk

customers and partners from across the industry volunteered thousands of hours of their time and raised an incredible £19 million for WaterAid.

At WaterAid we are incredibly proud of our long and unique partnership with the water industry.

Thank you for 35 years of incredible support!

And support goes far beyond fundraising. By signing WaterAid petitions and engaging local MPs, our industry partners also helped to secure a dedicated goal for water and sanitation in the new Sustainable Development Goals – a huge step towards ensuring sustainable access to water and sanitation for everyone, everywhere.

For news and updates from WaterAid’s partnership with the water industry, sign up to On Tap at www.wateraid.org/uk/ontap.

Photo credit: WaterAid/ Ernest Randriarimalala

WORLD TOILET DAY 2016 World Toilet Day on 19 November is the perfect opportunity to get the world talking about toilets and why they are so important for happy, healthy lives.

Sanitation is a serious issue and one that can be hard to talk about, at WaterAid we want people to overcome their embarrassment and use comedy to start talking about toilets.

Organise your own World Toilet Day comedy quiz and you can help us raise awareness of the 2.3 billion people around the world living without access to somewhere safe and private to go to the loo. Find out more at www.wateraid.org/uk/itsnojoke

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DRILLING&TAPPING The UK team using the American method at the start of their championship winning run

ANGLIAN WATER'S UK NATIONAL CHAMPIONS CROWNED WORLD WATER CUP CHAMPIONS 2016 The city of Chicago hosted the 2016 American Water Works Association drilling and tapping competition which this year incorporated the World Water Cup. The WWC competition requires the national champions of America, United Kingdom and Netherlands to undertake a tap using each of the country’s methods, the times on each run, including any penalties incurred, are added together to give a final run time with the fastest overall declared winners.

Number 1 in the world!!!

The competition started with each of the teams completing a run using their national methods then alternating rigs to complete all three versions. Predictably each team put up the fastest time in their national tapping technique however with the American champions SADM Monterrey, Mexico picking up a number of penalties in the UK and Dutch methods giving them a total overall time of 13 minutes 41:04 seconds the outcome of contest looked to be between two visiting teams.

With the Dutch team, Waternet, Amsterdam posting a final overall time of 10 minutes 29:07 seconds the UK team knew they couldn’t afford any major slip ups in their final run using the American method.

With their sights firmly fixed on WWC success and with adrenalin flowing the UK team of Anglian Waters National Champions Jason Barratt and Lee Maddocks together with Alan Wells and Malcolm Holmes stepped into the arena for their chance to bring their World Championship ambitions to reality, and they weren’t to be disappointed. With a 30 second penalty they recorded a run time 3 minutes 08:78 giving a total overall time of 10 minutes 10:26 seconds and the fastest time over

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the three disciplines to secure first place and be crowned World Champions.

After all the euphoria and celebrations of winning the World Water Cup it was back to business over the next few days with the team taking part in the American Competition.

Preliminary rounds are held with the top five teams going forward to the final. Teams have two runs to be completed within 30 minutes with their best time carried forward and with the UK team posting a 2 minutes 17:85 seconds first run they were looking to improve on that in their second attempt. Sadly that was not to be so no final place for them but nonetheless a creditable

performance that saw them finish mid table.

The returning American campions SADM Monterrey. Mexico produced a blistering time of 1 minute 07:47 seconds to win with Spotsylvania County Utilities in second place with 1 minute 11:62 seconds, while in the ladies competition it was the returning champions Lansing Lethal Ladies with a 2 minute 42:65 second time that earned them first place.

Many thanks to Saint-Gobain and Anglian Water for their support and sponsorship to the UK team in this International networking event.

Graham Mills IOW representative and Judge

WATER PROCESS SOLUTIONS

ENCORE® 700 - PRECISION DOSING, BUILT TO LAST 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

The Civils and Utilities specialists

KEEPING THE COUNTRY CONNECTED

At Burdens our purpose is clear. To keep the country connected.

By using our expert knowledge and national reach we supply the essential infrastructure products and services that keep our communities functioning.

We understand the importance of keeping projects on schedule. And that means getting the right materials, to the right place, at the right time… Every time.

Connect with us to see how we can help you on 0344 292 7090. www.burdens.co.uk

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WE NEED YOU TO SIGN UP TO OUR MENTORING PROGRAMME!

Benefits of being a mentor • Have an opportunity to practice and develop management skills • Build on your own CPD • Widen your networks in the water industry • Gain satisfaction from helping others and seeing them progress

Benefits of being a mentee • Receive guidance in setting goals and defining how to achieve them • Widen your networks within the water industry • Receive a different perspective on facing tasks and challenges

0191 4220088 www.instituteofwater.org.uk/mentoring

mentoring@instituteofwater.org.uk

INNOVATIVE INTUITIVE INTELLIGENT The new iSTEP award winning product

Always one step ahead!

• Adjustment range 1:1000, thus optimally adaptable • Wide voltage range 110-240V, 50/60Hz, worldwide easily usable • Energy-efficient drive technology • Big graphic Display with back light • Visualization of operating modes

The Rapid Cracker. Mains cracking made simple, safe & affordable

FINALIST

Find out more: iSTEP.sera-web.com/en sera ProDos UK Ltd. +44 1733 396040 sales.uk@sera-web.com

www.sera-web.com

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

Gas

Water

Nuclear Contract Services

+44 (0) 1225 864 864 info@stevevick.com stevevick.com

Windmill Insight Solutions Tailored Training, Real Results Quality Training for the Water Industry

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 www.ar-resources.com Email: sales@ar-resources.com

• Personalised for your people

• On site delivery

• Relaxed but thorough training

• Discounts for ongoing contracts

Leadership and Managment • Practical Management programmes • Applying theory in practical situations • ILM and CMI courses available Water Operations HNC • Based on 40 years’ experience • On-site delivery to save travel costs • All modules delivered by me for consistency EUSR Training • National Water Hygiene • SHEA Water & Waste • Save travel costs - I come to you

Email: bob@windmillinsights.co.uk Mobile: 07554 994855 www.utility.windmillinsights.co.uk

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Enterprise Decision Analytics

AVK UK

AVK Pentoflow M2M range… ‘most durable on market’ ’The initial field trials of AVK’s new mains to meter (M2M) range of products have delivered excellent results and the entire AVK Pentoflow range is now being rolled out nationally.

Constructed from highly robust material, the AVK Pentoflow range is designed to reduce the total installation cost of water meters, boundary boxes and related products by delivering long-life use.

AVK is emphasising the strength and ease of installation of the AVK Pentoflow range. For example, the class-leading Meter Boundary Box and Grade B Surface Box are tested to fully withstand an 8 tonne load. The stronger material will mean a reduction in potential site damage and lid failure, resulting in fewer costly retrofits and repairs.

AVK is well-known as the leading supplier of valves, hydrants, pipe-fittings and accessories, and its entry into the M2M market is significant.

The AVK Pentoflow package comprises boundary boxes, PE mechanical and push-fit connections, stop taps and ferrules.

“We developed the AVK Pentoflow range in discussion with the primary users, including the Water Utilities and their delivery partners, developers and self-lay piping companies,” explains Kieran Fitzpatrick, head of UK marketing at AVK. “Before launching an M2M range we consulted widely and checked that our products will deliver on what is important to the market.

“This is why AVK Pentoflow is at the top end of this market: it’s designed to ensure significant through life savings. The range comprises a very high standard of products because that is what the market told us it needs. So durability and through life costs have been a key focus.

“The market told us it wants a durable product which offers outstanding long-term performance but which is also easy to install.

“All five products in the AVK Pentoflow range reduce costs by cutting remedial work and maintenance costs, such as replacing damaged lids and meter changes. For example, the composites used in the

The Boundary box is also designed to have the easiest access, meaning new, leading-edge meters can be installed more easily and faster.

The entire range improves the ease of installation, with patented push fit connections.

The AVK Pentoflow range includes: AVK Pentotap 63mm x 25mm PE Self-Tapping Saddle surface box gives the strength to withstand an 8 tonne load and to allow uninterrupted AMR radio signals. The build quality is there for all to see and that equates to long-term savings.

“Although the AVK Pentoflow range will be competitively priced, we are really competing on quality, workmanship and long-lasting usability.

We’re confident that AVK Pentoflow will be the most durable M2M range on the UK market.

“End users have told us that having access to the most durable products made of the best materials is what really matters.”

n AVK Pentobox the class-leading Water Meter Boundary Box with a Grade B Surface Box with a tilting composite lid, withstanding an 8 tonne load and allowing AMR technology (Automated Meter Reading). Its features include telescopic height adjustment and patented push-fit connections. AVK Pentobox is available as a fully sealed Class 1 or unsealed Class 2. n AVK Pentomech mechanical range allows PE connections from d20 to d110mm and includes a balanced sealing system for a reliable joint, improving connections to undersized pipe, pipe showing wear and ovality; n AVK Pentopush push-fit fitting for PE pipework from d20 to d63. Quick to install, slimline and robust, the range is manufactured using hi-tec composite materials and includes a Universal range to allow connections to most common water pipes; n AVK Pentovalve stop taps in plastic with mechanical PE connections, d20-32mm and in gunmetal for a durable connection; n AVK Pentotap range of gunmetal ferrules and self-tapping saddle ferrules allowing the user to tap into cast iron, ductile iron, PVC, asbestos cement and PE pipework.

AVK Pentotap 63mm x 25mm PE Self-Tapping Saddle

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NEW AVK PrOduCT rANGE FrOm AVK uK

AVK’s Pentoflow range: all the fittings needed to go from the water main to beyond the meter.

Durable solutions reducing total installation costs of water meters, boundary boxes and related products.

AVK

• • • • •

8 Tonne rating, suitable for footpaths and driveways with regular traffic.

Composite lid allows, if required, AMR technology.

Available as a fully sealed Class 1 or unsealed Class 2.

Telescopic with a height adjustment from 555-850mm.

Patented Push-fit connections - no need to twist.

AVK

• • • • •

Innovative seal – ensures a water tight solution.

Seal design – Improves connections to undersize pipe, pipe showing wear and ovality.

Seal design – reduces effort to insert pipe in sizes > d50mm.

Dedicated fittings means dedicated seals, no long term joint stresses.

All fittings are rated PN16 including Stop taps.

AVK • • • • •

Push-fit solution where space is tight, no tightening required.

Slim-line design minimises excavation and space above ground.

High tech composite materials used gives it a class leading strength, especially with threaded connections.

Universal range offers complete coverage in pipe sizes from 15-63mm OD. Fittings are rated PN16.

AVK

• • • • •

AVK PENTOVALVE plastic Stop taps are available ex-stock.

AVK PENTOMECH joints – Innovative seal design.

AVK PENTOVALVE Stop taps are PN16.

Female gunmetal Stop taps offer flexibility of connection.

BS 5433 gunmetal Stop taps are a proven material and design with 40 years of reliability.

AVK • • • • •

AVK PENTOTAP ferrules and self tapping saddles are available ex-stock.

Live connections on to PE, PVC and AC pipe without specialist equipment.

Pentotap fittings are available up to a pressure rating of PN16.

360° rotational banjo outlets with full flexibility of connection.

Saddles are available up 32” PVCU, d1000mm PE, 28” AC, d800mm Steel and d842mm K9 ductile.

James Pick Sales: Business Manager - Water M2M T: +44 (0) 1604 601188 M: +44 (0) 7568 429327 E: customerservice@avkuk.co.uk E: japi@avkuk.co.uk

EXPECT... LASTING INNOVATIONS

www.avkuk.co.uk

HUBER TECHNOLOGY

MEADOWHEAD STW WASTEWATER CASE STUDY HUBER Technology has completed the upgrade of the inlet works at Meadowhead STW. The project involved the installation of 4-off Multi-Rake Bar Screen RakeMax® 6300/2752/19 Coarse Screens and 2-off 12 m3/hr Washpress Screening Handling WAP® L units for the Coarse Screens and 2-off 15 m3/hr Washpress Screening Handling WAP® L units for the retrofitting into the existing inlet works for handling screenings from the Fine Screens.

Project Profile Area of catchment and contributing towns: Major towns included within the catchment are: Ayr, Prestwick, Troon, Kilmarnock, Irvine and other small towns. n Population equivalent. 220,000 n Number of contributing pumping stations. 6 large Sewage Pumping Stations n Dry weather flow. 1,000 – 1,500 l/sec n Maximum Flow. 4,500-5,500 l/sec

Objective The existing works at Meadowhead STW consisted of both coarse screening and fine screening areas with the coarse screenings located in an enclosed ATEX rated building. The problem that was presented to HUBER was that the 4-off large grab screens had to cope with large variations in flow from catchment pumping stations that are located around a very flat area. The old screens were proving unreliable and required continual maintenance and tender loving care in order to keep them running.

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In addition to the coarse screen issue, HUBER were also asked to look at a problem that Scottish Water were having with their existing fine screens screenings handling units.

Scottish Water approached HUBER to investigate potential solutions available from HUBER to solve the issue regarding these large flow variations, high screenings removal rates, improve the equipment reliability, and fit any new equipment within the existing building with limited space whilst complying to the ATEX zoning requirements.

Because of the lack of reliability of the existing screens a very tight timescale was given to HUBER from Scottish Water in order to carry out the necessary investigation, discussions, and agreement on type of screens.

Solution After assessing the works along with investigations and observations regarding the nature of the flow and screenings being presented to the site, HUBER established that the best solution for the works would be the HUBER Multi-

Raked Bar screen RakeMax®. HUBER had already installed a number of these units throughout the UK and in particular the large inlet works at Belfast (Duncrue Street) and to give Scottish Water operatives and engineers confidence in the units a site visit to Ireland took place.

Subsequently after further discussion between HUBER and Scottish Water, HUBER prepared a final proposal for the equipment offered.

During the design phase there was significant focus on the issue of handling the large volumes of screenings being presented to the screens and how this would be addressed when presenting the screenings into any launder trough from our HUBER unit. Unlike large grab screens the HUBER RakeMax® unit has multiple screenings removal rakes and as such more, but smaller volumes, of screenings would be removed from the screen face and placed into the launder trough. HUBER assess each application with regards to the number of rakes fitted to ensure that sufficient small volumes of screenings are presented to the launder trough and flow, allowing them to be easily transported and removed from the discharge area.

FEATURE: WASTE WATER HUBER assessed the merits of reuse of existing equipment (launder, access platforms and sundry items) to enable the most cost effective solution to be given. From layouts and calculations it was found that the existing launders with some minor modifications could be used, reducing the overall project costs to Scottish Water.

HUBER were awarded the contract and immediately started work on the project, reducing the project time from March delivery to December, improving the installation date by 3 months.

One of the major challenges on this site (in addition to compliance with ATEX zonings of the existing building) was that HUBER also had to consider during the design of the works, issues with planned maintenance activities and lifting strategies caused by constraints arising from utilising the existing building, gantry, launder system and existing civils. As a result of this a great deal of thought and consideration had to be taken at the design and installation phase. Some of the issues resulting are detailed below.

Transportation of the four large, RakeMax® 6300/2752/19 units from HUBER’s parent company in Germany required careful consideration . The most cost effective way entailed splitting the RakeMax® down into sections for transportation with re-assembly on site.

To reduce delivery times, HUBER had the RakeMax® units shipped straight to site. This however meant HUBER needed to ensure that their Scottish installation teams had the required drawings, parts and detailed information to reassemble the units onsite, work which would normally be undertaken in HUBER’s workshop.

Further consideration was required regarding the phases and order in which the machines would be installed. HUBER worked closely with Scottish Water to formulate a plan which met their fundamental requirement of keeping the plant operational whilst HUBER’s new plant was installed mechanically, electrically and commissioned.

Whilst the installation of the Coarse Screens was being completed, HUBER also replaced the fine screens screenings handling units with large variable speed HUBER WAP®-L screenings handling units.

Each WAP®-L was rated at 12 m3/hr at standard speed with the possibility of increasing the speed of the motors up by the use of VSD’s to give an output in excess of 15 m3/hr per unit. This was achieved by the sensing of the screenings level with in the units inlet hopper and when a set criteria was reached, and only at that time, the VSD would come into play and give the necessary high speed removal capacity.

VSD’s were also fitted to the coarse screen Washpress units to improve flexibility .

The project budget, timescale, and operational requirements were achieved as a result of the good working relationship and close collaboration and communication between all parties.

Large storms have already been experienced at this site and from the site operational feedback and response no issues have arisen and HUBER have yet another satisfied and happy client.

HUBER Technology Supplied n 4 Multi-Raked Bar Screen RakeMax® 6,300mm long 2,752mm wide with 19mm bar spacing each handling 2200 l/s per screen working in a duty/ assist/ assist/ standby mode with control panels for each unit. n 2 Screenings Wash Press WAP® L units for coarse screenings handling with each unit handling 9.18 m3/hr per unit working on a duty and standby basis with the facility of working on a duty and assist basis if required with control panels for each unit. n 2 Screenings Wash Press WAP® L units for the fine screens with each unit handling 12 m3/ hr working on a duty and standby basis with the facility of handling up to 15 m3/hr per unit with control panels for each unit.

Product Profile n RakeMax® – Multi Rake Coarse Bar Screen n High screenings removal capacities available n Low hydraulic screen loss n Easy retrofit into existing channels n Suitable for deep channels n Variable number of rakes to suit site specific needs.

WAP® L– Launder Wash Press n Different sizes for up to 18m3/hr of throughput n Volume, weight and disposal cost reduction of up to 85%

Jim Gordon Project Manager Scottish Water: “The Meadowhead Inlet Refurbishment was a very challenging project on a number levels including a very tight timescale. Key to the success of delivering this on time was an effective and efficient working relationship between HUBER, SW Managed Delivery, SW Operations and the main contractor with all parties meeting their respective project commitments on or ahead of schedule. HUBER as the principal supplier and installer of screens and screening handling kit had a key role to play in meeting the aspiration of the delivery team to better the agreed programme and have all screening equipment installed and operational by Christmas 2014 rather than March 2015. This was achieved with HUBER’s in house, highly experienced staff working in a flexible, responsive and effective manner with all the other parties involved to deliver a first class job ahead of schedule.”

Kelly Nightingale, HUBER Contracts engineer commented: “Although this was a challenging project from the offset, the end result proved very rewarding, achieved through close working and collaboration by all parties involved, the outcome being a successfully, maintainable solution.”

Fred Neumann HUBER Area Sales Manager: “The success of this project was down to all the associated stakeholders being involved early in the project design and execution. Everyone involved, adopted a very professional, flexible approach and can do attitude, which resulted in a very good installation.”

For more information please contact us on Tel 01249 765000 or visit our website www.huber.co.uk

n Compaction of up to 50% DS n Washed screenings n Over 370 UK installations

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17

HYDRO INTERNATIONAL

WASTE WATER

How do you find the cost of grit – then cut it out?

By Keith Hutchings, Senior Market Development Engineer, Hydro International

Item

Potential cost per 1000m3 of wastewater

Range found across typical treatment plants (per 1000m3)

Mechanical equipment wear and tear

£2.07

£1.5 to £2.5

Every operator knows that grit is seriously bad for treatment plant operation and maintenance - but just how bad? How much does the impact of grit equate to in cold, hard cash? How can a demonstrable Return on Investment be calculated to justify more effective removal at the inlet works?

Anaerobic digester cleaning

£0.87

£0.5 to £1.5

Clearing out channels and tanks

£2.19

£1.5 to £2.5

Increased power costs

£0.13

£0.1 to £0.2

Times are changing and operators are actively looking for ways to take out O&M cost and improve performance; grit has become a major target for efficiency gains.

Down-time costs*

£0.5

£0 to £1.0

But how can asset managers make reliable decisions about effective grit removal, especially when they lack accurate data that measures its impact?

Industry Guidance The problem is, that the standard industry guidance goes back more than 70 years and is outdated and, frankly, wrong.

Based on these guidelines, conventional grit removal designs usually target 95% removal of grit particles of 200 micron or greater. The conventional standard has assumed all grit is spherical silica sand, with a diameter of 212 micron, and a specific gravity (SG) of 2.65. This is changing in the USA, where the Metcalf and Eddy

Figure 1: Typical costs to WWTPs of conventional grit technologies. * N.B. The cost of downtime can vary greatly because of the different arrangements affecting individual plants.

MOP 8 design guide now recognises the existence of grit smaller than 212 microns.

Hydro International’s experience of working with more than 400 treatment plants over more than 30 years shows that the majority of grit carried in surface water flow is, in fact, smaller than 200 microns in diameter.

The way grit settles in wastewater is complex, governed by a number of factors including size, specific gravity, shape and tendency for agglomeration. A range of materials, including soil and organic matter that are relatively light, are carried along easily in storm flows yet settle out when the flow rate and velocity diminishes, e.g. in tanks and basins.

It’s a little like comparing a bag of sand with the same sized bag of compost. Most grit is smaller and lighter than the standard against which conventional equipment is designed.

The Cost of Grit Calculator from Hydro International

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the grit from 200 micron down to 70 micron and below is allowed through. This gives an overall removal efficiency of only 22% of the overall grit load arriving at the plant.

How Much Could be Saved?

A simple sum of the potential costs shows us that grit is costing £5.76 per 1000m3 of treated wastewater, when using conventional grit technologies which could be capturing just 20% to 50% of the grit load.

Therefore if the capture rate is improved to 90% by using appropriate high performance grit technologies, then the grit load is reduced by between one fifth and one eighth; as a result, the cost is just £0.72 to £1.15 per 1000m3.

Calculating Pay Back

This could give savings in the range of £4.61 to £5.04 per 1000m3 over conventional grit capture technologies. So if a treatment plant is processing 1,000m3 raw water per day, savings could be in the region of £1.5m over its lifetime.

The good news is that savings can easily be calculated and used to justify upgrading equipment. It may take less time than you think to recover the investment through improved operation and energy use.

Cost benefit analysis for a high performance grit removal system indicates that, over a range of populations from 25,000 to 500,000, payback would be between four to eight years. With plant design life of 25 years plus, an operator could easily benefit.

Sample calculations of the cost of grit at an average treatment plant, using actual costs taken from the middle of the range for typical plants, show how much it can add up to.

Cost of Grit Calculator

Studies made by sampling the inlet channels at wastewater treatment plants have shown that conventional grit removal of particles 200 microns and above may remove only 13% of the particle load on wet days, when 70% of grit arriving at the plant occurs. On dry days, when the particle load is low anyway, it may only remove 43%. The rest of

Hydro International has a new online calculation tool, freely available for anyone to use worldwide, which we’ve called the Cost of Grit Calculator based on operating data from working with treatment plants across the world.

An overview of the science behind Advanced Grit ManagementTM and real operating experience of its benefits can be found at www. advancedgritmanagement.com.

Challenge convention: visit advancedgritmanagement.com or search advanced grit management online.

ROYAL HASKONINGDHV

Nereda® Clonakilty wastewater treamtent plant, Ireland

NEW TECHNOLOGY PROVIDES A PATHWAY TO SUSTAINABLE WASTEWATER TREATMENT IN THE UK UK water companies currently face many challenges, including the drive for improved phosphorus removal from a number of directives, in particular the Urban Wastewater Treatment Directive.

JV, part of eight2O, Thames Water’s investment alliance for AMP 6. Highworth is nearing completion and will be commissioned later this year.

There is also a growing requirement for increased nutrient removal, requiring low levels of ammonia, total nitrogen, BOD and suspended solids. In addition, there is the ongoing challenge to drive improved sustainability in wastewater treatment and lowest long-term cost of service to customers. All these challenges need to be met, but in many cases without increasing the footprint of the works, so there is often the challenge of fitting improvements onto existing wastewater treatment sites.

The full-scale development of Nereda® technology is setting new standards in sustainable wastewater treatment with more than 30 plants now in operation or construction around the world. The UK water sector has started to invest in this product of Royal HaskoningDHV and is taking advantage of its compact design, high quality effluent standards and significantly lower energy costs.

Nereda® is considered to be the first aerobic granular sludge technology which has been successfully applied at full scale. It provides the advantages of high levels of nutrient removal particularly biological phosphorus removal, and it is cost effective, with lower energy usage when compared to activated sludge plants (20-50% lower power requirement). Recent examples have shown this technology can provide a compact, small footprint solution, typically requiring a land area of 25% of that needed for an equivalent conventional activated sludge.

A typical Nereda® plant for UK requirements includes a feed buffer tank and three Nereda

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reactors. Each reactor operates a cyclical process with three stages. The first stage involves simultaneously feeding and displacing treated water from the top of the reactor. The second stage is aeration and the final stage is settling.

All these stages occur in each reactor, with the reactors being fed in sequence. Aerobic granular sludge is naturally selected by wasting slow settling biomass during each cycle. Granular sludge with fast settling characteristics allows operation at a high biomass concentration of 8-15 g/l compared to conventional activated sludge that would normally operate at 3-4 g/l.

Scottish Water and United Utilities initially piloted Nereda® in 2013, with both companies successfully testing the claims made by Royal HaskoningDHV following visits to full-scale plants in The Netherlands. In 2015, Thames Water installed a new granular activated sludge plant at Highworth, serving a population of approximately 10,000 customers as part of its investment into the national Chemical Investigation Programme.

This plant has been developed by Costain Atkins

Development of the Nereda® technology began in the early 1990’s with lab-scale research at the Delft University of Technology (TU Delft).

A collaborative public-private partnership was set up involving TU Delft, Royal HaskoningDHV, several Dutch District Water Authorities and STOWA (the Dutch Foundation for Applied Water Research). This partnership led to the development of the Nereda® wastewater treatment system.

Full scale Nereda® plants have demonstrated reliable biological phosphorus removal consistently to levels of less than 1 mg/l, down to less than 0.3 mg/l. Similarly treated water ammonia concentrations of less than 1 mg/l have been demonstrated together with total nitrogen levels of less than 5 mg/l. Low levels of suspended solids and BOD can be achieved (less than 10 mg/l) with the benefit of additional tertiary treatment. A wide range of applications have been developed using Nereda®, these range from new standalone plants, uprating existing SBRs, replacing old filter works and hybrid applications, where a small Nereda® plant is installed alongside an existing activated sludge plant.

Nereda® is now acquiring a growing reputation for setting new standards in efficient, compact and sustainable wastewater treatment.

More info at: rhdhv.com/nereda

FEATURE: WASTE WATER

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21

UNIVERSITY OF BATH

Water quality down the drains The presence of pharmaceutical drugs in waste water has wide ranging environmental effects.

Dr Barbara KasprzykHordern Reader in Environmental and Analytical Chemistry, Water Innovation & Research Centre: WIRC @ Bath Pharmacologically active compounds (PACs) such as those found in pharmaceutical drugs like paracetamol and aspirin, and personal care products (PPCPs) such as deodorant and moisturisers can be found in aquatic environment such as rivers and sewage systems.

Commonly used PACs are sold in hundreds of tonnes a year in the UK alone and with usage and consumption increasing in Western countries and the developing world respectively, the negative impact on both human health and aquatic life is sure to increase.

The presence of PACs in water streams are a result of the often poor metabolism of these compounds in humans and their incomplete removal during sewage treatment. One of the most significant studies of the impact of PACS was in 1998 by Jobling et al who reported a high incidence of intersexuality in wild populations of roach fish throughout the UK. The negative impact of PPCPs isn’t just limited to aquatic life but also other wildlife, human health and the environment. In 2014, Birdlife International found a 95 per cent drop in India’s vulture population as a result of the birds feeding on livestock carcasses that had been previously treated with the anti-inflammatory drug, diclofenac. The presence of this drug in the carcasses caused the vultures to suffer renal failure and subsequently die.

Proposed legislation Growing understanding of the possible ecological impact of PACs in the environment has seen the proposal of new environmental regulation in Europe. This resulted in a number of compounds being proposed as priority hazardous chemicals by the European Commission. A much larger number of PACs are known to be present in water streams but their impact within the aquatic environment either individually or synergistically is unknown.

These is also very little understanding of impacts from metabolites of PACs and their transformation by-products. To date, around 200 PACs have been observed in Sewage Treatment Plant (STP) effluents and rivers globally. Despite a great depth of ongoing research into the occurrence and fate of

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these chemicals in STPs and the environment, there are a number of area which need further study.

Such areas include sampling and analytical protocols; chirality within the environment; and ecotoxicity. Firstly, sampling is the first and arguably most important step for the determination of PACs in sewage and river waters. Current sampling protocols, however, are not suitable to adequate monitor the wide range of PACs and therefore there are a number of associated uncertainties. Secondly, a concept often overlooked is that PACs are chiral and can exist varying forms. The implications of this means the same PAC may have varying degrees of toxicity and current monitoring techniques could actually overestimate or underestimate the risk posed to the environment. Finally, the majority of current ecotoxicity testing is done in controlled laboratory conditions. Whilst these produce highly useful insights into assessing the possible impact of individual PACs to aquatic organisms, they do not represent the conditions that are experienced within the natural environment.

Future vision and recommendations The following recommendations for future improvements address analytical approaches, environmental monitoring and treatment of waste water.

Analytical approaches Improved approaches to sampling waste waters and river waters are anticipated, and a more standardised sampling strategy will help ensure reliable and representative data is attained.

The greatest breakthrough in analytical instrumentation is the ongoing development of high resolution mass spectrometers capable of high accuracy measurements. They enable quantitative

targeted screening and qualitative non-targeted screening to be undertaken simultaneously. The identification of unknown compounds is essential, as they can be used to find previously undetermined PACs of interest for further investigation and reveal pathways of biotransformation.

Waste water treatment The ever increasing demand placed on water resources by a growing population has seen increased focus on possible options for re-use of water. The extraction of surface waters for re-use demands an improved understanding of PAC fate and removal during waste water treatment. There is also a growing focus on reducing the carbon footprint of the sewage treatment process and recovering valuable resources during processing.

Environmental monitoring The focus of research in this area has been on the receiving aqueous environment, but due to the diverse range of physicochemical properties exhibited by PACs, some have a tendency to partition into sludge during sewage treatment.

Despite undergoing anaerobic digestion, notable concentrations of some PACs are still reported in treated sludge or biosolids. The majority of these biosolids are then applied directly to agricultural farmland as a fertiliser. It is anticipated that environmental monitoring will be widened to also include the terrestrial environment.

Co-written by Dr Bruce Petrie, Research Officer, University of Bath

FEATURE: WASTE WATER

JET AIRE TAKE PART IN IT’S A KNOCKOUT EVENT Staff members from Jet Aire have recently taken part in a charity team event based on the 1980’s and 1990’s tv hit show It’s a Knockout.

Teams of ten battled it out against each other to raise funds for Hartlepool & District Hospice. The event was sponsored by Seymour Civil Engineering whom Jet Aire has been working in conjunction with for just over one year.

It’s a knockout was a famous programme on TV where contestants take part in games wearing silly costumes, battling against foam and try and collect items back to their team. The winners are often the ones who can successfully navigate the course, with the fastest teams not always victorious.

The day was a brilliant affair despite the rain and it is expected that the event will bring in around £10,000 for Hospice care.

If you would like to see pictures from the event, you can view them on the Hospice’s Facebook page. Jet Aire would like to thank all our colleagues, friends and clients who helped us raise money for the event.

EUROBY'S HIDDEN GEMS Euroby are "leaders in the wastewater industry" but we are really underselling ourselves.

Sure we make equipment for dewatering sludges - all the nasty bits from effluent treatment plants but there is much more to us - and the centrifuge, filter press and belt press than just clearing up everyone's mess - though we are very good at it...

Do you know that in the UK we help make your coffee? Extracting the very last drops of flavour from the bean to make maximum use of this valuable commodity. We are also involved in making various fruit - and hop - based beverages, juice, beer, wine - you name it!

Some more exotic food products come into our field of expertise - how about Avocado oil, Flax, Lupin seeds and Soy beans?

Fish get a look in too, purifying fish oil for Omega 3, which incidentally you can get from Algae, and - we do that too, along with other nutraceuticals.

Dewatering creates an effluent, and if needed we can treat that too with a range of Submerged Aeration Systems tailored to your requirements to reduce the pollutants in the waste stream - and your disposal costs, Food for thought? Give us a call!

Tel: 01903 69 44 00 sales@euroby.com www.euroby.com

We can help you reimagine your water R&D

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

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23

DRAEGER

WASTE WATER

DRAEGER - OFFERING COMPLETE SOLUTIONS ABOVE AND BEYOND OUR PRODUCT LINES There are many hazards that workers can face within the water industry, here Gavin Peacock Marketing Manager at Draeger advises how it is developing technology to support the wide variety of products which are used to protect the person and the plant.

The industry produces many toxic and flammable gases that need to be detected and eliminated, these gas hazards themselves vary considerably depending on the application, location and treatment process, but the solution is always the same – a combination of fixed and portable gas detectors. It is important to recognise that gas detectors are not simply installed for process monitoring – they are required to save lives. These life saving devices must also be robustly constructed to survive the rigours of deployment in a water plant where a variety of harsh environments can exist, from unpredictable water levels and physical damage, to the acidic or caustic conditions which result from gases such as hydrogen sulphide or chlorine mixing with water.

Dräger has years of technological innovation behind every product it’s about offering complete solutions above and beyond our product lines. We look at the individual needs of each and every one of our customers, to ensure we continue to exceed expectations. Due to environmental conditions gas detection units are often subjected to shock, sudden temperature change, dust, water and mud, and therefore to ensure a gas detector continues to operate effectively, it should be bump tested daily.

Dräger’s X-Dock, is an asset management system which ensures portable gas detection devices are working correctly. The instrument acts as a calibration and management system which helps the water industry stay on top of the testing and calibration of its portable gas detection instruments, at the same time as saving time and money. Significantly, the X-dock also offers a robust documentation and reporting function so that users can see the status of their portable gas detection instrument fleet at a glance and can produce calibration certificates without the need for a computer or printer.

The daily test is important – but it costs time and money. Especially the gas consumption plays an important part. In a highly competitive market, Dräger’s X-Dock can test up to ten portable gas devices at a time compared to similar devices which can only test, on average, two. The device tests for deadly gases such as methane, carbon dioxide, hydrogen sulphide amongst others the results of which can be uploaded via a memory stick to a computer, if used as a standalone unit.

X-Dock’s data management software, which can be installed on a computer, can quickly analyse calibration results and make sure they conform to specification. The software enables customers to obtain a valid and useful E-certificate and set of results.

As an example of the cost savings that the X-dock can offer - The often used flow of 500ml/min and test periods of e.g. 60 seconds result in a high gas consumption. For instance, 1000 tests carried out using these parameters would result in a consumption of 500 litres of gas. The Dräger X-dock is programmed with the required opening times for the gas supply valves resulting in a fast gas application test of 10 seconds or even

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less for gases such as CH4, O2, CO and H2S. In addition, it uses a flow of 300ml/min. With these parameters a consumption of 50 litres with 1000 tests is achieved which means saving 90% of gas compared to the volumes mentioned above.

The Dräger X-dock is the all-around solution for full control of your complete range of Dräger gas detectors. Using the device you can carry out automatic bump tests, calibrate the units with low gas consumption and trust in the reliability of seamless data storage thanks to extensive analysis and documentation functions. The ease of use coupled with time and cost savings are just some of the features that make the Dräger X-dock the new standard for managing your Dräger gas detection instruments.

For more information on Draeger or to arrange a demonstration of the X-dock please call +44 (0) 1670 352 891

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An End to End Telemetry Solution Point Green – Low Cost, High Spec: 3G / DNP3 / IP68 / 2 sensors / CI & DI I/O options / RS232, RS485 & SDI-12 / 5+ years battery life Ideal for simple remote and/or underground ‘out-of-sight’ monitoring applications.

Point Orange – The Next Generation: 3G / DNP3 / IP68 / 5 sensors / AI, CI, DI I/O options / RS232, RS485 & SDI-12 / Up to 4 passive/2 Active voltage inputs / Up to 5 digital inputs / 5+ years battery life / flexible I/O configuration Offers a wider range of applications including: rainfall, river level and flow, sewer level and pressure, dam level management.

Point Blue – Intrinsically Safe: Benefits from most of Point Orange’s functions and in addition is ATEX approved / Exll 1G Ex ia llB T4 Ga (-20°C ≤ Ta ≤ +50°) / Can be used as part of an overall ATEX compliant installation Ideal for utilities, gas and energy providers, agricultural applications and inline monitoring of gases and liquids.

When Point Colour RTUs are combined with our web-hosted end user data visualisation platform, ‘Palette’, they provide a real time monitoring and management tool that enables effective decision making.

To find out more contact email info@metasphere.co.uk or call +44 (0) 1737 846100 www.metasphere.co.uk

AUMA

FEATURE: WASTE WATER

MODULARITY SAVES WEEKS IN SUPPLY AND MAKES SITE WORK SAFER AND MORE EFFICIENT Modular design of products is a powerful way to cut costs, speed delivery and increase flexibility.

AUMA actuators have modules that can remain separate right up to the installation stage, potentially cutting weeks from both the delivery schedule and time spent on site.

An AUMA actuator has three basic components: the electrical connector, which takes the form of a large plug and socket; the control unit; and the main body, incorporating the valve mounting, gearbox, motor and handwheel.

On-site modularity allows each of these components to be routed to the appropriate subcontractor. The valve mounting, motor and gearbox can go straight to the valve supplier or pipework contractor as soon as they are ready, without waiting for the control specialists. The control unit can go to the control subcontractor, and the electrical connector to the electrical subcontractor. Allowing the wiring, programming and commissioning to overlap can save many

weeks on tight project timescales. On-site cabling becomes a plug-and-play operation.

Modular assembly also keeps other site work to a minimum, saving time and improving safety especially when working in confined spaces or at heights. Modular design eases installations in confined spaces – and helps contractors work around any unforeseen problems – because each of the major components can be installed in any of four rotational positions, giving a total of 64 configurations. For example, different control heads, whether mechanical or digital, can be bolted to different drive units. In many applications ‘control’ can be left to the PLC, and all that is required from the actuator is a motor and gearbox, so AUMA’s approach means that an ‘appropriate controls solution’ is supplied.

Where space is really tight or where harsh environmental conditions such as high levels of heat or vibration exist, a pre-wired umbilical cable allows the control unit to be positioned up to 100 m from the valve, which also means that a single operator can attend to them, even if the actuators themselves are mounted in a hazardous or confined area.

Valves and actuators are heavy, and by mounting and moving the components separately the need for a sling or additional manpower can be avoided.

Modularity is just one aspect of the way in which an operator can benefit from the expertise of the world leader in electrical valve actuation. Check out www.auma.com to find out more.

INTELLIGENT VALVE ACTUATION CONTROL, PROTECTION AND SAFETY σ Improve control with variable speed options, eliminate water hammer σ Manage assets better and plan maintenance with remote diagnostics σ Modular approach allows design flexibility, minimises on-site time and system costs and improves health and safety σ Certified training for expert support

Contact AUMA to discover more...

Tel: +44 275 871141 mail@auma.co.uk www.auma.com

SIPOS 7 180 x 115.indd 1

AJA15/17693

AJA08/12766

09/09/2016 13:54

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GRUNDFOS PUMPS LIMITED

WASTE WATER

HOW COLLABORATION CAN HELP TO ACHIEVE A BETTER TOTEX OUTCOME Ofgem first suggested a shift to Totex, or Total Expenditure back in March 2008 for regulated industries that were heavily reliant on infrastructure assets. It was however not introduced into the water industry until Ofwat adopted it in July 2013. The rationale behind this move was to encourage the industry to move away from the previous perceived bias towards capital expenditure (Capex) and move towards looking at the total expenditure (Totex).

The Totex premise is that its adoption will encourage an inclusive approach that would foster and encourage innovation and collaborative behaviour between all the various stakeholders within the decision making process.

The ultimate aim being to deliver a better and more effective service to end-customers.

A few years down the road, how is the industry doing?

Well a recent report relating to Water Companies Totex performance, suggests that there is still plenty of room for the water industry to improve their overall performance. In fact, the figures quoted in the report indicate that 83% of the people involved with the industry when asked, “Do you believe the UK water industry is ready to change to meet Totex objectives?*” felt that the industry was either not ready, or were ready but had not yet changed.

One of the issues is that change will need to involve ensuring that all stakeholders are onboard. These interested parties include some of the more obvious players such as the utilities companies themselves, Tier 1 and 2 contractors, designers, manufacturers and operations people.

However, there are also less obvious players.

These include Asset Managers, Innovations Managers and importantly Energy Managers that also have much to contribute, but are often less involved in the investment decision process. *Taken from a survey an October 2015 by Waterbriefing regarding AMP6 and Totex.

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This is what the total life cycle cost of a pump looks like

Totex and pumps Energy costs of pumps represent the single largest operating cost for most water companies and so have a major part to play in the move to Totex.

Given that we are aware that good collaboration with stakeholders is key to making good Totex decisions, where should the industry be looking?

Well coming at this from the perspective of pumps and pump solutions, Grundfos, is a key pump manufacturer and supplier to the industry and we know that pumps play a significant role within the industry.

If you take for example a pumping system solution from a total life cycle viewpoint, we know that 85% of their associated cost over their lifetime is accounted for by the energy that they consume while only 5% relates to the purchase price, with the remaining 10% being accounted for by the cost of maintenance.

Additionally the pump market in the UK can be divided into new and replacement pumps.

Example 1

Example 2

Example 3

Yearly Savings

Yearly Savings

Yearly Savings

£59,330

£33,374

£10,643

Payback Time (yrs)

Payback Time (yrs)

Payback Time (yrs)

0.34

1.66

1.04

Energy Savings (kWh/YR)

Energy Savings (kWh/YR)

Energy Savings (kWh/YR)

741,628

370,820

106,434

Emission Reduction (C02T/YR)

Emission Reduction (C02T/YR)

Emission Reduction (C02T/YR)

355.24

170.21

50.98

Investment

Investment

Investment

£20,790

£59,436

£11,702

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Therefore, the opportunity exists at the point of replacement to review the pump(s) to ensure that it is the best specification to meet the current and future needs of the system as well as the most efficient model(s) available. This is an opportunity that is frequently missed. This in itself could offer huge savings if additional consultation was sought.

At Grundfos, we can quote many instances where the value of seeking some additional advice at this point can reap rewards as is shown in the real life replacement examples shown in the chart below.

It is easy to look at pumps as being a component part as opposed to an actual solution in themselves. However, what a good pump manufacturer can offer the industry is so much more than just a pump. They can deliver innovation not just as a standalone but as a part of a fully integrated system. This also goes beyond the pump to include better pump control to optimise pump use, efficiency and maintenance

Making Totex work in practice: The future success of Totex rests on getting a range of factors right. Some of these factors are perhaps a little alien to the industry, as they involve not just the obvious aspects of getting the business talking collaboratively, but also of needing to become much more inclusive and open-minded.

At Grundfos we understand the innovation is a process not an event itself and we are here to support the water industry in the long term.

As such, we have a number of Area Solutions Engineers who will work across the relevant stakeholders to collaborate in making good pump selection and control decisions that ensure asset performance and Totex are optimised.

DEMAND MORE

GRUNDFOS iSOLUTIONS PUMPS

CONTROLS & PROTECTION DRIVES

MEASUREMENT COMMUNICATION UNITS

INTELLIGENT PUMP SOLUTIONS ON DEMAND JOIN THE FIGHT FOR INTELLIGENT PUMP SOLUTIONS The Grundfos iSOLUTIONS range comprises pumps, sensors and controls that incorporate intelligent operation to deliver outstanding reliability and energy efficiency. Innovations include variable speed motors that exceed IE4 efficiency standards, remote monitoring to aid maintenance and smartphone setup to speed commissioning.

For more information visit www.grundfos.co.uk

JAMES FISHER NDT

WASTE WATER

James Fisher NDT – Mini-ROV Internal Pipe Survey Since 2015, James Fisher NDT (JFNDT) have been working closely with Partners, Suppliers, and Project Managers to Collaborate, Develop, and Demonstrate a number of technologies within the Water Utility Market.

This culminated in the awarding of a Long-Term Framework agreement with Scottish Water, which allowed them to take the Technological, Logistical, and Innovatively Designed equipment to the forefront of Remote Location Inspection and Assessment. During this time, Scottish Water approached JFNDT in an effort to help establish a “Tool-Box” of Techniques, which they can call on (at short notice) to provide support for their extensive network of assets, throughout the Scottish Network. These have ranged from Corrosion Mapping within built-up housing estates, through to operating in remote reservoirs. JFNDT continue to utilise these Innovative Techniques to enable accurate, up to date reporting for all of the individual Project Teams within Scottish Water.

One example of where JFNDT have been pushed to operate, outside of the Comfort Zone, would be when approached by Scottish Water, to carry out an internal survey of a ‘Scour Valve’, within a remote location reservoir, which feeds into the main network for the Glasgow City Area. Damage or Contamination on this project would result in potential major issues for Scottish Water, and their many End Customers.

Following months of discussion, planning, preparation, and desktop studies, it was agreed that utilising a Mini-ROV would be the best course of action, and that it would provide an insight into the internal structure of a section of pipework that had not been seen, since it was installed many years prior. The increasing demands on such infrastructure are now becoming more evident, as the campaign to inspect and repair is being scrutinised by those that have to cover the costs.

The principle was fairly straightforward – Take a Mini-ROV, fly it into the pipe, and follow the pipe through to enable a series of Visual Inspections and Wall Thickness Measurements to be taken.

Unfortunately, as more details became available, it became evident that this was not going to be as simple as first thought. Further investigation and review of previous reports (none of which covered the internal aspects of the full length of pipe) highlighted a number of potential snagging hazards, difficulties with current, and the remote location access. With input from Scottish Water, a plan was formulated that would enable JFNDT to utilise the skills of their Marine Team, as they had experience working with the extreme currents of the Offshore

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Environment. Scottish Water would engage a tried and tested Diving Partner, who would provide ‘hands on’ guidance for the ROV, to enable it to be safely placed within the pipe. JFNDT’s “ROV Pilot” would then fly down, and collect the data.

Thickness Measurements, due to the build-up of Natural Debris and Marine Growth. This was very disappointing, particularly given the amount of time and effort (both on Operational and Logistical Planning) that had gone into getting on site.

There were a number of other Logistical Constraints to be considered, the reservoir was located deep within a forested area, with very limited road access, and a cross-country walk to the bottom of the reservoir wall, and the weather window was closing fast. All of these issues required an element of an “Improvise, Adapt, and Overcome” methodology – one which JFNDT prides itself on. The plan was made, double checked, and briefed to everyone involved.

Not to be outdone, and following discussions with Scottish Water, the decision was taken to not waste this opportunity. The plan was reviewed, the brief changed, and the project took on a new approach.

Could the HD images and Video Footage provide detail on the general condition of the pipe, the type of debris, and ultimately the condition of the internal aspect of the valve at the bottom end?

Upon meeting, on a very dark, wet, windy morning, the equipment was consolidated, and transferred to as few vehicles as possible. The Divers, with their boat, headed off to one side of the reservoir with all of the heavy equipment, and the personnel headed on to the Reservoir Dam Wall, located on the limited access side of the reservoir. Following a number of shuttle runs, the equipment was set up, the divers were ready, and power confirmed.

Once the Scottish Water Reservoir Team had closed the Scour Valve, the divers placed the ROV inside the pipe entrance. During this part of the process, very little debris or other hazards were encountered, so the diver returned to the boat, whilst the inspection took place. An Initial Visual Survey was carried out on the top half of the pipe, where it was immediately apparent that it would be impossible to achieve the planned Wall

With conditions deteriorating, and light starting to fade, the ROV Pilot fought the currents to gain invaluable footage of the pipework that had been in place and unseen for many years, before getting to the valve itself. JFNDT were able to provide Scottish Water with a Report that outlined the general condition, detail on the level of organic matter and debris within the pipe, and provided never before seen footage of the inside of the pipe and valve in operation.

All of which, when passed back to the Reservoir Engineers, enabled further discussion into the need for carrying out surveys like this. Future investigation into alternative cleaning tools for Mini-ROVs is now being carried out within the R&D Remit at JFNDT, in the hope that the opportunity to return to this location and carry out further investigations will happen. Allowing further development and, ultimately, cost saving options for Scottish Water to be implemented.

James Fisher NDT

Your partner in Critical Asset Inspection Reduce critical failure on your key infrastructure that could lead to costly environmental damage, equipment downtime and disruption for your customers.

James Fisher NDT will give you the confidence you need to ensure consistent supply, through a greater understanding of the underlying condition of your assets.

Using the latest non-destructive inspection techniques, we can help you implement timely maintenance that can enhance the life expectancy of your critical structures. n Radiographic Inspection n Ultrasonic Inspection n Sonar Scanning/Laser Scanning n Visual Inspections EEMUA159 HSE n Condition and Consequence Asset Management n Pipe Identification Surveys

We are here to help you keep your business flowing.

Contact one of our team today to find out more.

T: (0)1244 520058 E: contactus@james-fisher.co.uk W: www.jfndt.co.uk

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TECHNOLOG

WASTE WATER

INNOVATIVE SOLUTIONS FOR THE UTILITIES

Sewer level monitoring is a key component of effective waste water network management and is critical to successful stakeholder management for Water Utilities. Over the course of AMP6 the industry is being driven by its regulators to increase the level of monitoring and subsequent proactive management of its sewerage networks.

There is a specific focus on the monitoring of Combined Sewer Overflow (CSO) performance and discharges to the environment through the Event Duration Monitoring (EDM) initiative, whereby data is shared with third parties including regulators and the public. The implementation of sewer level monitoring is embedded in Water Utilities’ Outcome Delivery Incentives (ODI) and has a direct influence on customer service.

Accuracy and reliability of the captured data is therefore critical and is at the core of Technolog’s data acquisition solution. Technolog is uniquely structured to offer a turnkey solution to the industry, comprising three areas: product design and manufacture, field services and data management services.

Technology and Equipment Technolog has a proven history in developing robust, feature rich products at cost effective prices. This development is completed in-house with an experienced and dedicated team of both hardware and software engineers. Through close contact with the waste water industry, Technolog has developed market leading products for waste water applications for over 10 years. Technolog’s sewer level monitoring solution combines the proven battery powered and intrinsically safe Cello GSM data logger with twin-option sensors in the form of the Siemens Milltronics ultrasonic

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level sensor and the Pressure Transducer Interface sensor. The result is a batterypowered level measurement system with remote communications. The whole solution is fully certified for installation in explosive atmospheres to ATEX Zone 0 and is IP68 rated.

Installation Infrastructure Technolog has an extensive team of trained and highly experienced field service engineers covering the whole of the UK. As such, Technolog is able to offer a range of installation, commissioning and maintenance services for the products it manufactures and supplies. It has the unrivalled experience of over 150,000 product installations across the UK and has developed sophisticated job management and auto-routing systems which allow for the efficient delivery of installation and maintenance projects. The organisation utilises its accredited quality systems to continually drive and improve working practices and H&S procedures.

Three standards combine into an integrated management system, comprising ISO 9001:2000 (Quality), ISO14001:2004 (Environmental) and OHSAS18001:2007 (Health& Safety).

Monitoring and Analysis Technolog provides a complete service for data acquisition, analysis, monitoring and reporting to facilitate efficient management of the waste water networks. Utilities all around the world trust Technolog with the delivery of data using its resilient and scalable data centres; the UK’s largest data centre for water utilities.

The solution is highly optimised for collecting data from 350,000 sites worldwide using GSM

communications. Data can be routed directly to the customer or securely stored in a resilient clustered database. As new data is received, it is validated and exported to customers in industry standard or bespoke formats. Information can be presented to both the Water Company and its customers through Technolog’s web-platform, WaterCore. The system allows for the remote management and configuration of alarm levels in each of the installed monitors and provides a central point from which the sewer level data can be managed. A dashboard of site status allows for live visualisation of performance and can be used to prioritise resource, with tools embedded to enable spatial analysis with consideration given to rainfall. Such tools can allow the user to determine whether a spill can be prevented by action or whether the CSO is operating as designed.

Innovation Technolog is building on its proven record of collaborative development with its customers and is continually developing its turnkey solution for sewer level monitoring in terms of the products offered, the way in which they are implemented and how the data acquired can be best managed.

Technolog believes an important development is that of targeted proactive network maintenance through application of ‘smart network’ principals.

It is developing a range of analytical techniques, embedded in its WaterCore solution, which will provide the customer with early warning of a potential blockages allowing intervention before a pollution incident occurs. www.technolog.com

Monitor & Manage Your Water Network

TECHNOLOG

Our advanced monitoring products have been proven worldwide for more than 30 years with over 350,000 devices installed across the world. Cellos are used in over 150 countries to provide accurate data from meters, critical pressure points & key customers, allowing intelligent smart network management. Our ATEX approved battery powered IS Cello range is widely used in waste water applications.

With a skilled in-house workforce operating nationwide we deliver high-level service and customer satisfaction, providing accurate information for intelligent network management.

www.technolog.com technolog@technolog.com +44 (0)1629 823611

LANES GROUP

WASTE WATER

ONE DESK LEADS TO ONE TEAM WORKING A transformation is firmly underway within the wastewater network services (WNS) maintenance teams operated by Thames Water and its maintenance partner Lanes Group plc. Andy Brierley, Lanes Group Technical Director, outlines their new ‘One Desk’ approach, and the benefits it is creating for customers, in particular.

Our One Desk programme is designed to deliver a lot of benefits, but one stands out: great customer service. It’s a service model based on us working much more closely with our Thames Water colleagues, as one team in fact, to deliver the fastest, most effective and most sustainable WNS maintenance services possible to 15 million customers.

Lanes Group and Thames Water has a shared vision to drive service change that supports continual improvement in the way customers experience our service.

We also have other strategic concerns: the need to provide an excellent working environment and work experience, so we attract and keep the best staff. And the need to be able to respond with agility to environmental and technical challenges always associated with managing waste water and drainage.

Our new Customer Solutions Centre – now established in a recycled building in Slough, Berkshire, and designed specifically to support our One Desk approach to WNS maintenance service delivery – is the physical embodiment of that vision.

Our journey together began a good two years ago.

Our planning, scheduling and operational teams were based in different buildings, in different parts of the Thames Water region. Communication was done by phone and email. Most of our team members had never met. Everyone agreed this organisational model created inefficiencies, service delays and mistakes that impacted on customers. Change was needed.

After much discussion and research, we agreed we should bring the two teams together. Also, we wanted to move to a regional end-to-end delivery model, with all five regional management areas in a single location. Each of the five Thames Water regions would have a multi-disciplinary collaborative team of Lanes Group and Thames Water colleagues working together, on one desk.

To test the concept, we ran a pilot project in the London North East region during 2015.

It worked. Response times to maintenance jobs improved. Work backlogs were greatly reduced. Communication and coordination improved greatly. Lanes Group and Thames Water colleagues enjoyed working together, making faster decisions, with fewer hand-offs within the operational chain.

A new, larger HQ site was selected to be our joint Customer Solutions Centre (CSC). The 36,000

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Lanes Group Chill Out Area

Lanes Group Thames Water CSC

square-foot building had been moved from a previous location and rebuilt in Slough, making it all but carbon neutral. It was fitted out to embrace the latest and future advances in digital communication.

a first chance to put faces to names and voices.

They began to find out what the North East regional team liked already.

Indeed, the One Desk approach is designed around all the advanced digital communication we’ve been introducing: paperless service delivery, operational systems run on smart phone and tablet apps, cloud-based data storage for real-time sharing and information analysis.

It also gave us the opportunity to design a workplace that’s fit for the 21st Century. We’re having to compete hard with other leading employers for staff with the attitudes and talents needed for the best customer service.

We wanted our new Customer Solutions Centre to be bright, welcoming, easy to work in, with excellent staff facilities. A workplace fit for colleagues expected to work smartly and efficiently for Thames Water’s customers, and enjoy doing so.

By the beginning of May, we were ready to open.

It became home to the joint Lanes Group and Thames Water wastewater operational teams.

Lanes support staff joined them, including health and safety, transport, human resources, performance and analytics teams.

Instead of sending emails, colleagues can simply lean over and talk to each other. Issues are resolved before they impact on service. Small joint teams are created and located together to manage specific projects.

Staff huddles now take place in break-out areas or meeting rooms. Job roles are demystified.

Barriers are being eroded. New skills across job roles are being learned. Decision-making is speeding up. Everyone is beginning to own the customer journey and experience.

Crucially, field teams are finding that they benefit greatly as well. Their challenges and frustrations in the field can be resolved more quickly and sensibly via the joint team. First time fixes are becoming more frequent, to the delight of customers.

Nearly six months in, we’re still learning and discovering how to make the most of the One Desk concept. Benefits will be realised fully over time. We’ve got an exciting platform to build on.

The biggest beneficiaries will be Thames Water customers.

The building has performance video walls throughout, 16 IT-enabled meeting rooms, funky break-out areas, rest and relaxation areas, a café, a training centre, showers and a prayer room.

After several weeks of preparation, it was an exciting moment. For many colleagues, it was

Andy Brierley Technical Director

15m customers – one team Pink and blue – now proud to be purple. We’re operating as one team from our new Customer Solutions Centre in Slough, delivering faster and more efficient wastewater network maintenance services than ever before.

Our aim - World Class customer service.

01753 254001 sales@lanesgroup.co.uk

p

www.lanesgroup.com Lanes Group plc - 9, Cambridge Avenue, Slough, Berkshire SL1 4AY

PULSAR

WASTE WATER

ULTIMATE CONTROL OF THE SEWAGE PUMPING STATION At the heart of the sewage network lies the sewage pumping station. Thousands of wet wells with tens of thousands of pumps driving millions of cubic litres of sewage all over the UK. The asset management task is gigantic. Pulsar’s Ultimate Controller has been designed to respond to the challenge of controlling, optimising and managing these vital components in the chain.

The Ultimate Controller provides control with Compliance, performance monitoring with carbon footprint reduction. Installation and maintenance costs are minimised, as are the number of manhours required to manage each site.

Pulsar’s Ultimate Controller is based around the rock-solid core of Pulsar’s non-contacting ultrasonic measurement. By ensuring that the true level is recorded in crowded, cluttered wet wells, Pulsar’s DATEM echo processing software has become the benchmark for reliable, robust non-contacting wastewater treatment measurement and control.

Starting from that base, Ultimate Controller brings together PLC functions and RTU into a single box – making Ultimate Controller an economical control system that delivers a level of functionality that can deliver substantial savings compared to programming an individual or even a group of PLC installations. Communications and telemetry choices include WITS, and each Ultimate Controller can have an individual IP address so data can be securely accessed from any internet-enabled device.

Ultimate Controller has the option of a camera that can be accessed remotely and positioned to give the best possible view of the asset.

Ultimate Controller also includes a battery backup so, if power fails, data continues to be logged and transmitted, unlike other telemetry devices. This is particularly valuable if there is a power failure in a district so tankage and maintenance response can be prioritised.

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Because there is only a single, compact device to install, Ultimate Controller saves money in both panel real estate and installation costs. A well-designed user interface comprising a colour touch screen and well laid out, logical programming protocols means that both initial set up and subsequent adjustment is easy and straightforward. Ultimate Controller provides the possibility of a sophisticated monitoring regime that strongly supports the requirements of Asset Management under TOTEX. The key components of the pumping station are, obviously, the pumps. Built right into Ultimate Controller are the tools that let the wastewater operator compare and prioritise the most efficiently running pump, and indeed compare between pumping stations to identify maintenance priorities. Pulsar provide a number of optional peripheral devices that improve Asset Management. Pump Power Monitors are DIN rail mounted and sit in the motor control area of the panel, so only instrument voltage is in the C&I section. Each pump has its own monitor, which also has an optional automatic pump reverse feature in the event of a partial blockage. That feature alone can dramatically reduce man hours in site visits.

Ultimate Controller also accepts input from external flow monitors such as Pulsar’s Institute of Water Innovation award-winning Flow Pulse, which is non-invasive and simply clamps on to the outside of a pipe. Measurements of flow pre-and post the wet well are important for Compliance, because they can provide evidence, for example that maximum theoretical flow has been achieved in storm conditions even if in a worst-case situation the station is overwhelmed. Pulsar also offer DIN rail mounted expansion modules so that large pumping stations can add many sensors to one

controller and all can be monitored and logged. By logging pump performance alongside flow rates, a useful tool is created whereby the performance of various stations in the network can be compared, with a direct calculation of power efficiency in terms of Kw per cubic metre per metre of head.

Ultimate Controller also contains a wealth of in-built pre-programmed functions developed over many years of experience in pumping station control. Beyond the advanced multi-pump control routines that might be expected, there are some very specialised and patented functions designed to improve control and reduce costs: Tariff Management – TRIAD periods add costs, and the annual extra charges can run into millions of pounds. Tariff avoidance routines make sure that pump running is kept to an absolute minimum during high tariff periods and TRIAD periods.

Time To Spill – There are many factors that affect the time before a station spills, not only rate of change of level but also things like pumping rate compared to maximum and the inflow rate before the system can provide a clear, relevant and accurate warning of imminent spillage.

Pump Trip/Reset – Many man-hours are wasted in trips to site to reset a tripped pump. One of the features built into the Pulsar Ultimate Controller is that it will attempt to automatically reset a pump so you know that if you are visiting site, there is a genuine issue to address.

Burst/Block Alarm - Using predicted change of level rates, system problems can be readily identified, such as a burst rising main or main blockage.

To find out more check out www.pulsar-pm.com and search ‘Ultimate Controller’.

Ultimate Pump Control

One complete integrated solution Cost saving through predictive maintenance and efficient pumping.

When you want the ultimate pump control, get the Ultimate Pump Controller.

New

ur o n i s ’ It . n o i t Innova www.pulsar-pm.com

A. N D

Malvern, Worcs WR14 1JJ, UK Tel: +44 (0) 1684 891 371 info@pulsar-pm.com instituteofwater.org.uk

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MITSUBISHI

WASTE WATER

OZONE – NOW A VIABLE ALTERNATIVE Ozone water treatment remains largely an underused technology in the UK Water Industry; Stuart Blackburn Mitsubishi Electric’s Water Industry Sales Manager discusses the history and advancements in technology that makes ozone a viable alternative.

It is argued that ozone was “discovered,” if it is appropriate to use that phrase for something which does in fact form naturally in the atmosphere, in 1785 when Dutch scientist Martinus Van Marum noticed the production of a gas with a distinct odour during experiments with his fabled high voltage electrostatic generator.

However, it took a German chemist, Christian Friedrich Schönbein, to make the breakthrough of actually naming this gas when he observed its production during his work with the electrolysis of water and duly christened it “ozone” after the Greek word “ozein” meaning of course “to smell.”

He published his findings in journals in 1840 and likened the smell to that experienced around thunderstorms, thus linking high voltage and electrostatics to the natural production of ozone in the atmosphere.

Nice, France is widely suggested to be the birthplace of ozonation for use in water treatment as in 1906 it was used to treat drinking water.

chemical dosing and filtration processes so what are the objections to using this technology?

Of course technology has moved on at great pace since then with today’s ozone generation equipment able to generate large quantities of concentrated ozone, which begs the question, why has this technology not become the de-facto water treatment process for the whole of the water industry?

n Ozone is a highly potent disinfectant

First of all let’s consider the problem. The increasing use of pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, pesticides and industrial chemicals amongst others, has resulted in the production of micro-pollutants and through the effluent we all produce, find themselves in the domain of water treatment plants.

As we know, micro-pollutants are not completely biodegradable and are not removed by conventional water treatment methods and processes.

There is much discussion on the effect these micro-pollutants will have long term but there are real concerns about damage to the environment and our health over time.

It is widely agreed that using ozone in water treatment offers many advantages over conventional

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No doubt there are many scientific arguments about this but often the reasons revolve around the initial up front cost for the ozone plant and the perceived high running costs of the asset. Other worries include the lack of residual disinfectant after the process is complete and the need to maintain a high concentration of ozone to ensure all the offending bugs are killed off and do not survive.

Whereas these are all valid concerns, vendors of ozone generation equipment need to provide solutions that not only address these points but also offer other advantages which affect the whole life asset cost.

Let’s consider some of these advantages: n Ozone is a far better oxidising agent than chlorine

n Ozone can remove odour and colour n Ozone eliminates pathogen resistance to disinfection n Ozone is generated onsite from oxygen and electricity n Process utilises a short contact time n Requires no storage, handling, or protection of hazardous chemicals n Introduces no corrosion from oxidising chemicals n Meets compliance with AOX and COD discharge regulations n Minimises risk n Final by-product is oxygen at a higher dissolved oxygen (DO) level n Process is environmentally friendly n Process can be cost effective

Now let’s consider the technology, whilst ozone may be generated by various means, the silent discharge method, which is effective and economical, is most widely used. A silent discharge is achieved by applying a high AC voltage across electrodes and a dielectric. The energy in the discharge space excites the oxygen in the feed gas to form ozone.

On the face of it this sounds as though it may lead to high power consumption and therefore costs but this will depend on the type of ozone generator used.

Manufacturers like Mitsubishi Electric have developed technology to reduce the amount of power used in the process.

One of the most effective ways to reduce power is to reduce the gap between the electrodes.

This “narrow gap” technology results in higher concentration of ozone with reduced power usage.

Another benefit is increased cooling efficiency and extended dielectric life, along with a smaller generator footprint due to the compact design.

Extended life leads to reduced maintenance costs.

Reflecting on the perceived obstacles to adoption of ozone; the initial cost of the ozone plant can be offset against the ongoing cost and risk of handling and storing of hazardous chemicals, the perceived high running costs of the asset can be reduced significantly by choosing an energy and operationally efficient solution from a reputable manufacturer and if this is coupled to the environmental benefits of the process itself, then quite possibly the arguments against, based largely on experience of the older ozone technology of the past perhaps do not look so convincing.

In any case, water treatment using ozone offers a workable and viable alternative to conventional chemical dosing techniques and should at the very least be considered as the water treatment process of the future.

For more information on Mitsubishi Electric’s Ozone System Solutions please visit: ozone. mitsubishielectric.co.uk

A new era of water treatment is here

Ozone Systems, highly efficient, reliable and compact Low Power ConsumPtion - Power consumption is reduced due to increase in power density created by high precision manufacturing techniques allowing the discharge gap to be reduced.

extensive PerformanCe reCord - More than 1,600 ozone systems have been supplied over the last 40 years providing extensive experience in ozone technology.

ComPaCt equiPment - The ozone generator cell is extremely compact due to high power density discharge technology.

versatiLity in design - Ozone Systems can be designed to meet all needs from small to large for plants with either low or high ozone concentration requirements.

stabiLity of ProduCtion - High performance dielectric tubes permit stable ozone production Low maintenanCe - All of our dielectric systems willl operate for a minimum of five years without requiring inspection. ozone.mitsubishielectric.co.uk

totaL system engineering - A complete engineering service is offered, which includes design capability for comprehensive system monitoring and control, to ensure optimal operation of the ozone plant.

Wastewater Treatment Processes: • High Efficiency Fine Bubble Aeration Systems TM • Hydrok IFAS - Enhanced Fixed Bed Biomass Media System • Hydrok Diffuser Liftout Grid System • Hydrok-Mecana - Pile Cloth Media Tertiary Filtration • Hydrok HY-SAF - Package Biological Wastewater Treatment Plant • Hydrok/Microdyn Nadir MBR - BIO-CEL® Membrane Bioreactor Process • HyER Diffuser Liftout Grids - Emergency Rental Aeration Solutions

Water Management Systems: • Screening & Water Treatment - Hydrok CSO Peak Screens* - Hydrok CSO MecMex Mechanical Screens* - Inlet Screens & Screening Conditioning • Flow Control & Flood Alleviation - HydroSlides - HydroBend - HydroGuard • Storm Tank & Sewer Cleansing - Hydrok CWF ‘Flushing Bell’ - HydroFlush - HydroSelf

www.hydrok.co.uk 01726 861900 sales@hydrok.co.uk

*Hydrok stainless steel wedge wire profiles utilised in all Hydrok CSO screens

FEATURE: WASTE WATER

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.

www.georgefischer.co.uk

Double see advert.indd 1

08/05/2014 16:03

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

Z-TECH TRAINING INNOVATION At Z-Tech we like to invest in new technology, it gives us the opportunity to improve, save customers money and makes us who we are.

We have recently launched an exciting development in our approach to training!

LEE TUNNEL – TECHNICAL SUPPORT Z-Tech has recently worked with the main contractor and a key equipment supplier during the commissioning stage of the Lee Tunnel: the first of two tunnels built to prevent around 39 million tonnes of untreated sewage mixed with rainwater being discharged into the tidal River Thames each year from combined sewer overflows built over 150 years ago in Victorian London.

The 6.9km long tunnel goes beneath London’s Borough of Newham, from Abbey Mills Pumping Station to Beckton Sewage Treatment Works.

Z-Tech commissioned the major pumping systems: optimising performance, analysing instrumentation variables and vibration analysis; while also supplying systems engineers, working on: software, process optimisation and network architecture.

The Water Industry is part of the UK’s Critical National Infrastructure (CNI) and therefore there needs to be high standards of information security too.

Jeremy Bull, Z-Tech’s Technical Director developed an IT strategy that allows for the company’s rapid growth with rapid deployment whilst also delivering the highest standards of security. Using our private datacentres with virtualised desktop technology we can

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One question a week, every week, from anywhere, with 30 seconds to answer.

Developed by our in-house software team, this is a fun way to engage with our employees and keep essential training knowledge fresh in their minds.

The Lee Tunnel alone represents some £678m investment by Thames Water, and will transfer almost half of London’s storm water overflows.

UNDER THE BONNET – A REALLY GREAT IT SYSTEM When things are broken they need to be fixed fast.

Engineers need to be deployed to site with the right IT equipment – laptop, software tools and leads to connect to the field controllers (PLCs) or site instrumentation. This enables them to find and fix the fault with no repeat visits or costly delays.

We have developed a sophisticated inhouse software application which links to our employee training matrix; this new software integrates to our timesheet system and when an employee submits their weekly electronic timesheet, they will be asked a question associated with any training they have undertaken, from Health and Safety to eco-driving.

work anywhere that has a connection to the internet. The data is kept in our datacentre with the users accessing their Windows desktop remotely, but to them, it appears as if they are working on a PC on their desk.

Engineers need to connect to devices in the field as well as their virtualised desktop. Our field laptops therefore use full disk encryption along with two factor authentication to ensure that our customer data is always held safe and secure, and in accordance with our ISO27001 certification.

Deploying first class IT is key to enabling all of our staff to do their work, and a lot of work under the bonnet enables Z-Tech to react quickly to the benefit of our customers.

Z-TECH’S 2016 GRADUATE INTAKE Z-Tech welcomes Ed and George to the team after successfully completing their Engineering Degrees, both with 1st Class Honors from the University of Lincoln Engineering School!

With a company built around people, Z-Tech have invested in recruiting, training and developing the very best staff: from apprentices, through to graduates and beyond. As the shortage for skills continues, Z-Tech will continue to train people to maintain expansion.

Both George (pictured right) and Ed (pictured left) will now spend a year moving around the company to gain an in-depth understanding of what it take to be a Z-Techer, and pick up a broad range of skills on the way.

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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AQUAM

Flint crisis prompts lead pipe report revisit A landmark paper on lead pipe rehabilitation and replacement techniques published by the American Water Works Association (AWWA) 15 years ago has been revisited by a member of the original project advisory committee.

In 2001 AWWA published Lead Pipe Rehabilitation and Replacement Techniques, which was based on a portfolio of research and technology projects undertaken in the UK by North West Water (now United Utilities). Since its publication there have been significant changes to global and national regulatory limits for lead in drinking water as scientists have become better informed about the risk posed to public health, especially in young children’s brain development.

The issue has risen swiftly up the news agenda in recent months following revelations of exposure to lead in drinking water by people living in the US city of Flint, Michigan. Nick Preston, a member of the Project Advisory Committee for the original AWWA report and an expert on lead pipe replacement techniques, has authored an update, commissioned by pipeline infrastructure specialist Aquam.

Renewed interest Nick Preston says, “Quite rightly there is a renewed interest in the risks posed by lead in drinking water. Importantly for utilities wanting and needing to take action, there has also been

The three stages of the Serline blown-in polyurethane coating process create a permanent barrier against lead leaching

significant development and commercialisation of viable technologies for pipeline rehabilitation, which have yet to be widely adopted by utilities and their supply chain contractors.”

Happily no city in the UK is facing a drinking water crisis. According to the Drinking Water Inspectorate (DWI), in 2014, there were just 84 failures at the tighter standard (10μg/l) introduced in 2015 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.

Rule revision In the US, the Environmental Protection Agency’s Office of Water has committed to issue a proposed lead and copper rule in 2017, reflecting national issues brought to light by the crisis in Flint, including a reassessment of the sampling regime and lead service line replacement requirements.

Preston says, “Since these early research projects took place, patents on many technologies for lining and replacing lead service and communication pipes have expired. However, the selection of lowest whole-life-cost solutions, that meet customer need, remains the objective.

A lead communication pipe in Yorkshire undergoes Aquam's Serline lining process whilst water supply into the property is maintained

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“Utilities, along with owners and occupiers of public buildings recognise their Duty of Care towards their users. They should also be made aware of highly efficient and effective techniques to reduce lead exposure.”

Method selection He advises, “The AWWA method selection table shown in this paper has been updated to incorporate the latest technological developments and provides a basis from which those concerned can approach their supply chain or specialist advisors to determine the least cost alternatives available to them.”

Richard Coffey, managing director of Aquam said, “This is a very worrying time for people in Flint, Michigan and other cities affected by the risks posed by lead in drinking water. It is important that those tasked with making supplies safe have access to the full range of options available to them so that any issues can be resolved as quickly as possible.

“It is often assumed that lead pipes have to be ripped out and replaced, but this is no longer the case. Advanced technologies like Aquam’s Nu Line and Serline systems offer a safer, lower cost alternative that minimise disruption to the customer.”

The white paper, Lead Pipe Rehabilitation and Replacement Techniques – an update, can be downloaded at www.aquamcorp.co.uk/register.

The original paper can be viewed at www.waterrf.org/PublicReportLibrary/ RFR90789_2000_465.pdf

Water environmental regulation Is environmental regulation a closed book to you? Something that affects other colleagues but not you? And is too complicated to try and understand? And why does it matter, anyway?

Imagine a world where anybody could do what they like with natural resources: air, land and water, and the plants and wildlife that those resources support. With no controls, air quality would deteriorate, land would be irreversibly damaged from over-exploitation and tipping of waste, and any rivers that hadn’t been dried up would be too polluted to use. Setting limits and controls – regulation - on how people exploit environmental resources means that we can all benefit from them, and yet be confident that our actions will not damage the interests of wider society today, and in the future. Over the past 150 years the way we regulate has had to become increasingly sophisticated, to reflect the increasing demands of a more affluent and healthier society, and a greater understanding of where we need to set the limits to protect the environment, and people, from harm.

Governments take a close interest in how regulation is carried out. The Regulators’ Code, introduced in 2014, applies to most regulators apart from economic ones, and sets out a set of criteria to which regulators should adhere. These include: n Carrying out their activities in such a way that supports those whom they regulate. That means not imposing unnecessary burdens on them, and assessing whether similar outcomes could be achieved by less burdensome means n Providing simple and straightforward ways to engage with those they regulate n Basing their regulatory activities on a risk and evidence based approach n Ensuring that clear information, guidance and advice is available to help those they regulate to meet their responsibilities to comply Most regulators have translated these into basic principles to inform how they will work: n Proportionality: balancing action (both regulation and enforcement) to protect the environment against the risks and costs of such action n Consistency: taking a similar approach in similar circumstances to achieve similar ends. This does not mean uniformity; there are usually many variables to consider and professional judgement is important n Transparency: in order to maintain public trust and confidence n Targeting: so that regulatory effort is directed primarily towards those whose activities create the greatest risk of environmental damage

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Figure 1: SEPA's Compliance Spectrum There are separate environmental regulators in each of the nations of the UK, each with a different relationship to their government. They are the Environment Agency (EA) in England, Natural Resources Wales (NRW), Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA) and Northern Ireland Environment Agency (NIEA).

Each operates under its relevant suite of laws and policies, but water regulation follows broadly the same approach in each country.

If you want to take water (‘abstract’) from a river, lake or groundwater you will need some form of licence or permit. However, keeping in mind the need for regulators to not be over-burdensome, if you are taking small volumes, or for a limited period, or for specific purposes, you may fall into one or more categories of exemption. Where you do need a permit, it will specify how much you can take, from where, for what purpose, and when.

The limits on the permit will reflect the ability of the source to support your new abstraction, as well as all the existing ones, and the flow needs of the aquatic environment. Similarly, if you plan to build a structure which will obstruct river flow (an ‘impoundment’) you may need a licence on how it should be constructed and operated. And recognising that by working in, under, over or near a river could have an effect on flood risk or land drainage, you may also need a permit to ensure that you don’t have an impact.

Having pumped your water from a river or borehole you, or your customers, will use it.

As a result of that use, it could be polluted, discoloured or hotter, and if you simply pour it back into the river it will pollute everything downstream, annoying your neighbours and killing the fish. Discharge permits are designed to ensure that the quality of the effluent does not pose a risk to the receiving water, whether it is groundwater, a river, or the marine environment.

They are carefully designed to set limits on each of the potentially damaging substances in your effluent, and will take account of the water quality and flow in the river and the sensitivity of whatever is living in it. Some low risk discharges can be exempt, or subject to only a basic permit.

Others – typically water company sewage treatment works effluent – will be more complex and subject to tighter control.

Having granted your permit the environmental regulator will want to be confident that you understand it and are complying with it. So, they would carry out a desk assessment of the information you send them, and may also turn up (sometimes unannounced) to inspect the site and discuss it with you. They may also sample your discharge themselves, or carry out flow checks on abstractions.

It is an offence not to comply with the terms of your permit (or not to have one when you should), and environmental regulators have a range of enforcement actions at their disposal where they suspect that an offence has occurred, or is about to occur. This may range from providing advice and guidance, to serving notices, to issuing a Formal Caution or using Enforcement Undertakings (civil sanctions), through to mounting a prosecution. Changes in the Sentencing Council guidelines in 2014 mean that fines can now be linked to company turnover, and many English water companies have faced six- and seven-figure fines as a result.

This scale of penalty, and associated reputational impact, means that approaches to maintenance and operational practice are under scrutiny in order to reduce the risk of potentially expensive compliance failure.

Regulators take no pleasure when a permit-holder has failed to comply. It’s far better if compliance levels are high and the environment and human

FEATURE: BACK TO BASICS

health protected. So we are seeing shifts in their regulatory philosophies where they look to move away from a ‘parent-child’ relationship with those whom they regulate, towards the aim of: n ensuring a more ‘collaborative, rather than directive approach’ (EA); n applying the principles of sustainable development, and working collaboratively to change behaviours (NRW); n aiming to reduce over-use of resources and working with permit-holders to encourage them to go ‘beyond compliance’ (SEPA); n creating prosperity and well-being through effective environmental regulation in support of a sustainable economy (NIEA).

SEPA’S regulatory strategy demonstrates this well (See Figure 1). By working with permit holders to encourage them to go beyond compliance, the regulator can help companies to benefit from the potential to innovate and improve profitability.

Progressive businesses for which compliance is a given have a competitive advantage and enjoy the trust of regulators.

way of staying on the right side of the law and looking after the environment is to talk to them before you start to do anything. They would much rather have had that early conversation than a much more difficult one after the event.

The need for environmental regulation is straightforward: to protect human health and the environment in order to deliver sustainable development. But because of the innumerable ways in which we can potentially use and abuse the environment regulation is necessarily complicated. Regulators work hard to make it as simple as they can and are there to help. The best

Over the past 150 years the way we regulate has had to become increasingly sophisticated, to reflect the increasing demands of a more affluent and healthier society, and a greater understanding of where we need to set the limits to protect the environment, and people, from harm.

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What does Ofwat do – the basics Ofwat is the economic regulator of water and wastewater services in England and Wales. We ensure that companies deliver services efficiently and with regard to the resilience of systems and services. We ensure that companies put customers at the heart of their work, and we set controls on the prices of monopoly services.

We also use markets to help allocate resources efficiently and to enable service providers to find new and better ways of doing things. Our use of markets and regulation complements each other and enables us to ensure delivery of better outcomes for customers and society. We help competition to develop where it helps to do this.

Water and wastewater are vital public services.

So, maintaining the trust and confidence of customers and wider society in these services is essential. Growing pressures to water and wastewater services, such as climate change and affordability of bills, makes trust in water even more important. If we are to build and maintain trust and confidence, then the companies we regulate need to step up for delivering the services that their customers and wider want – and customers are willing to pay for.

That means: n being more focused on customers and responsive to their needs; becoming more open and transparent; n having strong relationships with everyone they work with – from communities to suppliers; challenging themselves to work differently to provide better services for less; n make sure that financial performance is closely linked to delivering what customers want; and making better use of scarce resources, protecting our natural environment and making sure services are resilient.

Ofwat’s role is to get a good deal for customers now and over the long term. Our strategy is the means through which we fulfil our statutory duties, which are primarily set out in water industry legislation. We also carry out our functions in line with the priorities for us and the sector from the UK and Welsh Governments. Our role is economic and we work closely with other bodies such as the Environment Agency, Drinking Water Inspectorate, Natural Resources Wales and the Consumer Council for Water. We also work closely with other economic regulators and jointly through the UK Regulator’s Network.

To deliver our legal duties, we will make full use of our duties, legal powers and tools – such as: n enforcing licences and the law; n promoting competition; n setting prices; and n resolving disputes.

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Before the 2014 price review, tariffs were controlled through a single price limit plus RPI inflation. Companies were challenged by the price review process on the amount they needed to spend to deliver a set of agreed outputs. Now there are revenue limits for water wholesale and wastewater wholesale, with separate binding price limits for residential retail and default tariffs for business retail to protect customers as widespread market choice becomes available after 1 April 2017.

Companies are also incentivised to meet stretching outcome performance commitments, defined through their own customer engagement and research rather than limited to measuring physical outputs. The price review still considers efficient costs and efficient allowances for financing, but the way this is done has changed significantly, in particular by considering total expenditure (totex) rather than separating out assessment of operating cost and capital expenditure inputs.

Looking forward there are further changes to come at the 2019 price review following Water 2020, with markets for water resources, bioresources and direct procurement for major projects within the wholesale activities. The Government is also considering the potential for residential retail competition.

We use our influence and insight to encourage and provoke the companies to always strive to do better. And we make sure that we and others are informed about companies’ performance so we can all hold them to account.

We make sure companies deliver their services efficiently by controlling the price and service levels of monopoly services and making sure that, where competition exists, it works well.

We also use markets and regulation to reveal information, help allocate resources and drive innovation – and promote competition where it delivers the best results for customers and wider society.

So why has the approach to regulation changed and evolved over time?

Traditionally the water sector was seen as an integrated natural monopoly, considered a textbook example of a long term, stable and asset heavy industry. The legislative framework for the industry set up economic regulation with

a prescriptive approach with intervention using enforcement tools.

Over time effectiveness reduced, with a focus by the sector on satisfying the regulator more than the needs of customers and risked losing the innovation that comes from markets. The legislative framework has evolved with retail and upstream markets being established or under active consideration.

We develop a framework where monopoly network regulation and markets work together. But pressures on networks can change rapidly, with technology, social and environmental changes, and gains that can be achieved solely from monopoly regulation can often decline over time.

In our model we rely on assurance by company Boards, as the industry leaders, on their delivery of outcomes to customers and wider obligations to society. This applies to both network and market arrangements.

Companies decide how they report on their performance each year, but we set out our minimum expectations. Each company’s board is accountable for the quality and transparency of the information they provide on their performance. We use this information to monitor how the sector is performing But we also expect companies to publish some common information to allow customers and stakeholders to compare the performance of individual companies to the rest of the sector.

Providing comparative information also helps companies make decisions – and customers and other stakeholders to challenge them − about performance and future targets.

It is also important that there is a clear summary published of the sector’s performance in delivery for customers and wider society. We support the work that Water UK is doing on the sector dashboard (www.discoverwater.co.uk).

So, Ofwat’s regulation evolves, stepping in when and where necessary to protect customers’ interests. But customers being at the heart of this regulation is the one basic that never changes.

FEATURE: BACK TO BASICS

DO WE TAKE OUR WATER FOR GRANTED? We all know water is vital to sustain life yet we can often take it for granted. We expect our water to look, smell and taste perfect, so how do water companies make sure our drinking water meets our needs and most importantly is always safe for us to drink? Water Quality Manager Dave Reynolds from Thames Water explains.

Who sets the standards for drinking water quality?

The Drinking Water Inspectorate (DWI) monitors and enforces water quality regulations, many of which originate from EU legislation, on behalf of the Department for Environment Food and Rural Affairs (Defra).

Its job is to assess our performance in addressing risks to the quality of drinking water. The DWI carries out audits of all water suppliers to examine all aspects of water quality, treatment, monitoring and analysis.

The quality of our drinking water is determined by standards set out in the Water Supply (Water Quality) Regulations 2000 (and associated amendments).

Our water goes through a rigorous set of processes at our water treatment works to ensure it is safe to drink. Various treatment processes are used depending on the type and quality of the source of water.

What’s in our drinking water?

The make-up of water varies from area to area and depends on its source, so water taken from chalk streams in Berkshire will be different to that from the Lake District for example. Water regulations are very specific about the quality but properties such as the hardness of the water, which is due to naturally occurring salts, will be different from place to place.

Do water companies add anything to our water?

Water treatment involves a number of chemicals, the most important being chlorine, which is added as a disinfectant. It ensures the water is clean enough for us to drink and remains so as it moves through our pipes.

Many water companies add a very small, harmless amount of phosphate which coats lead pipes to prevent lead getting into the water.

A small number of companies, not Thames Water, add fluoride to drinking water to help improve dental health. This however is not the decision of the water companies but that of health authorities.

How is the quality of the water measured?

We measure water quality at every stage from the source to the point it reaches our customers

including throughout the treatment process and during storage in our reservoirs. At Thames Water we collect and test two million samples every year, with around 24,000 being taken from customers’ taps.

All samples are tested at our laboratory in Reading, where more than 100 staff including a team of 40 scientists examines each sample to determine the microbiological, chemical and aesthetic qualities of it.

Microbiological tests monitor water for organisms that may indicate the presence of harmful bacteria or viruses. The presence of an indicator organism does not necessarily mean the water is unsafe to drink, however any exceedance is investigated immediately.

We employ highly trained staff with extensive analytical skills in microbiology, organic and inorganic chemistry, metals analysis and materials testing. We also have a specialist team of tasters who have been chosen for the role thanks to their sensitive pallets.

Results from water samples collected at our treatment works, service reservoirs and customer taps are compared to DWI quality standards and any failures are then reported to them.

How would you know if there was a problem with the water, such as contamination, bacteria etc?

Every year, we carry out over 500,000 tests on samples of water that we routinely collect from our treatment works, reservoirs and randomly selected customer properties, to ensure drinking water is of the highest quality. We also follow up any feedback from customers who report abnormalities with their water. It’s vital that anyone who thinks they have a problem contacts their supplier so it can investigate.

A failure which poses a public health risk may mean we take a site such as a reservoir out of service until we’ve identified the problem and resolved it, tell customers to boil their water before use or, in extreme cases, not use it at all.

For us such incidents are thankfully very uncommon and our latest results show 99.96% compliance, which we’re extremely proud of.

Providing clean safe drinking water is our core function as far as our customers are concerned and if we fail to do that we’re most certainly not doing our jobs properly or fulfilling their expectations.

The Thames Water area is known for having hard water – what does this mean and why does this differ from place to place?

Hardness is determined by the level of naturally occurring calcium and magnesium compounds in your water. High content classifies your water as hard, and low traces of the compounds make your water soft. Hard water is found in areas which have a chalk and limestone geology. As water passes through the rock it picks up chalk carbonates, the concentrations of which will determine the level of hardness. There is no health risk associated with hardness.

However, hard water can lead to scale forming and may also affect the appearance of hot drinks, increase soap consumption and reduce detergent efficiency.

Once the samples have been collected they are passed to our advanced laboratory for analysis.

What happens if water companies don’t meet the standards?

It’s very rare that we have samples fail the tests but if they do, then the issue is investigated immediately and reported to the DWI along with the measures we’ll take to prevent it happening again.

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Water treatment sand and gravel. The water passes through these layers and through special nozzles in the bottom of the tanks, any bits of dirt or particles are trapped within the filter.

Although the water now looks very clean, it still contains germs, which are the most important things we need to get rid of as they can make us ill. We use a chemical called chlorine to kill the germs.

If the water that came out of our taps looked like the water we get from a river then we wouldn’t want to drink it.

It’s dirty and has lots of things living or floating in it.

That’s where water companies interfere in the natural water cycle to deliver clean, clear water that tastes good to homes and businesses. We clean the water to take the colour and the dirt out of it and most important of all, to remove any harmful germs.

The germs that can be found in unclean water can cause diseases like typhoid, cholera and diarrhoea. In the early 1900’s these diseases were still killing people in the UK but, thanks to water treatment, sewage treatment and the sewerage system this no longer happens. Sadly these diseases, caused by dirty water and poor sanitation, are still causing nearly 900 children to die every day in the developing world.

The water that comes out of our taps starts off as rain. It either flows into rivers and streams or filters through the earth and collects in underground reservoirs called aquifers.

There are three main types of water treatment, the level used depends on where the water has come from and how much treatment it needs. Water taken from rivers and reservoirs can be quite dirty and receives full chemical treatment. Some waters receive slow sand filter treatment and for water from boreholes, which tap into aquifers, we can often just add chlorine to disinfect the water as it is already very clean and high quality.

In all forms of water treatment the first stage is abstraction, which quite simply means taking water out of a river, reservoir or other water source such as a borehole or spring.

In both chemical and slow sand filter water treatment this water is then transferred into the

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At all points through the treatment process the water is continuously tested and monitored to ensure the right amount of chemicals are being added, the process is working well and that the water is flowing smoothly.

Now the water is clean and safe to drink it can be sent down the water pipes to our homes, schools, businesses, leisure centres, etc.

Slow sand filter water treatment

water treatment works. This happens by gravity where possible, or by pumping when that is not an option.

At the water treatment works the water flows through screens made from metal with holes in that allows the water in but not leaves, branches or other larger debris.

At this stage water still contains dirt, colour, bacteria and viruses that need to be removed.

Chemical water treatment The second stage in this water treatment process is clarification, which means making the water clear by removing dirt and colour.

We put it through something called a flash mixer, where the water is churned and agitated as we add a chemical called a coagulant (normally ferric sulphate or aluminium sulphate), which acts like a magnet and attracts the dirt. We also add a polymer, which makes the dirt and coagulant, we call it floc, stick together and become bigger and so easier to remove. We might also add carbon to remove pesticides and lime or acid to alter the acidity or alkalinity (pH) of the water.

The water flows into the clarification tanks where the floc (dirt particles) start to get bigger and heavier and sink to the bottom forming a blanket of sludge. The sludge is drawn off, dried in a kind of spin dryer and recycled on agricultural land as a soil conditioner. It can also be sent through reed beds for more natural water removal.

The cleaner, settled water flows from the top of tank into collection troughs called launders, these then collect into a big channel, which takes the cleaner water to the filters. The filters are made from large tanks filled with layers of charcoal,

This is different from chemical treatment in that the filters work in a biological way. A biological film, which grows naturally on the surface of the sand, cleans the water. Think of a complicated jelly-like living organism spread on the surface and the organisms help us by trapping particles and bad bugs.

The sand itself will do some filtration but it is more important that it is a good host acting as somewhere for the biological film to thrive and treat the water for us. The film consists of things like bacteria, fungi, protozoa, and other organisms and is called a ‘schmutzdecke’.

This surface biofilm is the layer that cleans the water. As the water passes through this layer, particles of foreign matter are trapped and the germs are eaten by the creatures in the biofilm.

The water then passes through the sand layers to the bottom where it can be collected.

Slow sand filters produce water that is of excellent quality but we still use chlorine to ensure it is really clean and safe on its journey to the tap.

New technologies New technologies and innovations are incorporated into the water treatment process to improve quality, reduce cost or both. One technology which is becoming more common is to disinfect water with ultra violet (UV) light. This works by preventing bacteria from reproducing as the UV interferes with their DNA. All water companies continue to add chlorine to protect the water supply on the way to the tap.

So, to sum it up, no one wants to drink coloured water, full of germs and with things floating in it (though many in the developing world still have to). Water companies clean water, make it safe to drink and deliver it to where people want to use it.

FEATURE: BACK TO BASICS

Fats, oils and grease Sewers were only designed to carry water, toilet paper, pee and poo. So, anything that goes down the sewer that shouldn’t be there, like bathroom waste, wet wipes, plastics, cotton wool buds etc, or fats, oils and grease, known in the industry as FOG, can cause a big problem in drains and sewers.

When fats, oils and grease are washed or poured down sinks or drains they cause blockages, which can lead to pollution and flooding; when they enter surface water drains, which carry rainwater to steams and rivers, they cause pollution.

Fats, oils and grease don’t look particularly harmful. Modern detergents can ensure our plates and pans are squeaky clean but what happens to the grease, fats and oil when they reach our drains and sewers?

The answer is that they quickly cool and harden when they reach drains and sewer pipes, which are cold, as they are buried deep underground.

They mix with food and sanitary waste and as they cool they harden on to the pipe walls, and restrict the flow through the sewer causing the pipes to block up. Sometimes these can become so big you see them on the news, referred to as fatbergs.

Using detergents or even bleach may help to clear grease and bits of food from the pipe work under the kitchen sink but have very little effect when they become naturally diluted in the sewerage network.

Food macerators, that chop up waste food, only make things worse in the sewer by grinding up waste food, including any fats, and releasing it into the sewerage network.

Gradually fats, oils and grease build up in the sewerage network until it becomes overloaded.

Most of the time, all of the wastewater in sewers goes to a sewage treatment plant, where it is treated and cleaned. During periods of heavy rainfall or snowmelt, however, the amount of water in the sewer system can be more than the amount that the sewer system can cope with.

Overflows are designed to release the water, mainly rainwater, into water courses like rivers.

If the amount of sewage that the pipe can take is reduced by fats, oils and greases this can cause

the sewer overflow to operate and release sewage, which could pollute the water course.

Where there are no storm water overflows the sewers can flood homes, gardens, businesses etc.

These fats, oils and grease blockages can also cause odour problems and the risk of rat infestation. Fats, oils and grease can also cause problems at sewage pumping stations, (which we use when we can’t use gravity).

Blockages and pollution caused by fats, oils, and grease are both increasing and cost water companies millions, which means customers’ bills are higher than they need to be.

So, to sum it up, no one wants sewer flooding to happen to them, so help protect it from happening by ensuring only toilet paper, pee and poo go down the loo and that food, fats, grease and oil are scraped from plates and put in the bin.

Never pour fat down the sink or drain.

When fats, oils and grease are washed or poured down sinks or drains they cause blockages, which can lead to pollution and flooding; when they enter surface water drains, which carry rainwater to steams and rivers, they cause pollution.

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Sewage treatment Sewage is a liquid made up of water that contains waste material like toilet paper, pee and poo, liquid waste from businesses and rainwater from roads and roofs. It is carried away from homes and other buildings in pipes known as sewers which join together and form a sewerage system.

Sewage contains solids in the water, things that are dissolved in the water and bacteria and other micro-organisms living in the water. It often also contains things that should be put in the bathroom bin, as only toilet paper, pee and poo should go down the loo.

After its journey to the sewage treatment works (STW), (also sometimes known as wastewater treatment works), often involving being pumped by a sewage pumping station, it has to go through screens. Here the larger items, which include, amongst other things, items like cotton buds, plastics, paper, sanitary products, nappies, cotton wool, wipes and other bathroom waste is trapped, washed by water that has already gone through the sewage treatment process and put in a skip and sent to landfill sites, the dirty water goes back into the sewage treatment process.

Sand and grit that is washed into the sewers from roads is carried along with the flow so next we need to slow down the flow and the sand and grit, which are heavier than water, separate out and sink to the bottom. The grit is then scraped from the bottom of this tank, washed and sent away for recycling.

The next treatment process removes the small solids. The sewage enters a settlement tank where it takes a couple of hours to flow through the tank allowing the solids to sink to the bottom and fats, oils and grease (fog) to float to the top. The fog is then skimmed off and later re-mixed with the sludge, which is collected and drawn off the bottom of the tank.

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The next stage removes the things that are dissolved in the water, which come from human waste, food waste, soaps, detergents and often liquid waste from industrial processes called trade effluents. These things cannot be settled out so we grow helpful bacteria to treat them.

The bacteria feed on the dissolved material but they also need oxygen to live and, of course, somewhere to live and this can happen in two places, a filter bed or an activated sludge plant.

In filter beds they live on something (either plastic or stone) that has a lot of nooks and crannies and they munch away on the dissolved material as the sewage passes over them.

In the activated sludge process, sewage is mixed in a tank with the bacteria. Air is injected into the mix and the bubbles allow the bacteria to survive.

After it has received enough treatment and the bacteria have done their work, the treated sewage then moves to another settling tank.

During the process some of the bacteria die and they and their waste sink to the bottom where this sludge is collected and the clean water can be released back into the natural environment where it rejoins the natural water cycle.

At some sewage treatment works we also disinfect this water using ultra violet light. This treatment usually occurs at STW near the coast to give added protection to bathing waters.

The quality of the cleaned wastewater is strictly regulated by the Environment Agency, and we test it to make sure that it meets high quality standards.

The sludge that is produced during the sewage treatment process also has to be treated and dealt with safely and effectively. The sludge is mostly water so sludge treatment focuses on removing the water using a thickening process, like a giant spin dryer, and sending this water back round the sewage treatment cycle.

This reduces the amount of sludge left, which we need to treat to kill the things in the sludge that can cause disease, known as pathogens.

Sewage sludge is rich in organic matter and nutrients so water companies can recover energy from the thickend sludge.

The best option for this is anaerobic digestion where a different type of bacteria (which doesn’t need oxygen) breaks down the sludge and destroys the pathogens (bacteria, viruses, or other microorganisms that can cause disease).

An enhancement of this process uses thermal hydrolysis (a bit like a pressure cooker) before the anaerobic digestion to boost the energy in the form of biogas produced.

The biogas is then used to produce electricity or goes through a clean up process and is injected into the gas grid.

Incineration and composting are also used but don’t generate energy.

So, to sum it up, sewage treatment is a vital process which removes the bad stuff from waste water and makes it safe to be returned to the environment.

FEATURE: BACK TO BASICS

Sewer flooding The most common types of flooding are coastal (high tides and storm surges); fluvial (rivers or watercourses bursting their banks); pluvial (surface water flowing overland); highway (from roads and footpaths) and sewer flooding.

Sewer flooding to property and land can be devastating to individuals, communities and the environment, with long lasting effects.

What causes sewer flooding?

There are three main causes of sewer flooding 1. Inadequate capacity When the water flows generated by heavy rainfall exceed the capacity the sewer pipes were designed for, this can result in sewer flooding.

Significant factors in the likelihood of this happening are: n climate change (more extreme and unpredictable weather e.g. floods, storms, heat waves, droughts etc) n the uncontrolled increase in impermeable surfaces (surfaces that water can’t pass through, for example, gardens being paved over for car parking) which means that rather than rainfall being absorbed into the ground or supporting plants and trees it now quickly runs off and enters the sewers, which they weren’t designed for.

2. Blockages Sewer pipes can get blocked and when they do flooding can occur. Investigation into the cause of these blockages reveals that in many instances they are caused by substances or objects that should not be flushed into the sewer.

In the bathroom, only toilet paper, pee and poo should go down the loo and if nappies, plastics, cotton wool buds and other bathroom waste are flushed down the toilet, instead of being put in the bin, sewers can become blocked.

It is a similar story in the kitchen, when fats, oils and greases are washed down the sink they harden in the sewer and cause blockages.

Sometimes blocked sewers are also found to contain things that have been put down the drain, for example, building materials. Tree roots can also grow through and block sewers.

3. Collapses Sewer flooding as a result of the pipe collapsing is less likely than either of the first two causes but it does still happen. As the network ages the pipe materials can begin to deteriorate, which, when combined with ground movement, tree roots entering sewers or the actions of others can result in a structural failure.

How can sewer flooding be prevented?

Weather events recently have shown again the significant impacts of flooding on the environment and society. Studies predict an increase in property flooding of 40% by 2080 if action is not taken to reduce the impacts of climate change.

Sustainable drainage The sewer network is only one part of the drainage system and it is essential that water companies and others responsible for providing drainage, work together to deliver a joined up approach to flood risk management.

It isn’t practical or cost effective to simply continue to do what we have in the past and build bigger pipes and storage tanks; a better way of working is needed.

Water companies working together with other responsible agencies like local councils, the Environment Agency and local communities will be critical to ensure a joined up, sustainable and efficient approach to the common goal of reducing flood risk.

There are a lot of sustainable drainage techniques that can be used. Features such as ponds, basins and swales (ditches) are more applicable to larger areas, whereas water butts, planters, green roofs and permeable surfacing, that water can pass

through, are more easily used at a property or local level.

Using sustainable drainage techniques, which usually manage rain close to where it falls, reduces the amount of rainfall entering the sewer.

This will not only reduce flood risk but will also provide wider benefits such as improved amenity and biodiversity which have a positive impact on health and wellbeing within the community.

For sustainable drainage projects, it is important that the local community is engaged and support any changes. Previously pipes and tanks would be buried below ground, whereas now the features created will be visible and form part of everyday life within the community.

Behaviour change A change in the behaviour of individuals also has an impact on the number of sewer flooding incidents. When simple messages such as ‘only toilet paper, pee and poo go down the loo”, are acted on, it’s been shown to have an impact in reducing the number of blockages and associated flooding events.

So, to sum it up, the challenge of managing future flood risk is not down to one individual or organisation. It is something that we can all influence in a positive way for the good of society and the environment.

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IDEXX TECHNOLOGIES

UK’S COMMITMENT TO REUSE SEWAGE SLUDGE AS A FERTILISER OR SOIL CONDITIONER Colin Fricker is Adjunct Professor of Environmental Studies at Queen’s University, Kingston, Ontario and has a long and distinguished career involved in water microbiology. He has published more than seventy peer reviewed papers, edited five books and presented over 200 papers at international conferences.

Sewage sludge contains many microbes of concern including human, animal and plant pathogens. In the UK, like many developed countries, there is a commitment to reuse sewage sludge as a fertiliser or soil conditioner, rather than merely send it to landfill. As such, care must be taken to ensure that the recycling of sewage sludge does not lead to an increase in the concentration of pathogens on farmland so treatment of sewage sludge to reduce the levels of pathogens present is widely undertaken.

sludge for the presence of indicator organisms, and in some cases specific pathogens such as Salmonella spp., is used as a vital measure of the efficacy of treatment. Such monitoring forms part of a Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Point (HACCP) plan which aims to ensure that the treatment is both effective and consistent. By far the most common type of microbiological analysis undertaken in the UK on sewage sludge to ensure that processes are performing well is the test for Escherichia coli.

Such treatment may include anaerobic digestion, composting, lime treatment, storage or drying.

Each of these treatments will have some effect on the survival of pathogens but the effect will vary according to the exact parameters of the process and the pathogen under consideration.

The Environment Agency publishes a series of good practice guidelines entitled “The Microbiology of Sewage Sludge (2003)”, part 3 of which is “Methods for the isolation and enumeration of Escherichia coli, including verocytotoxigenic Escherichia coli.” This document lists three separate procedures for the enumeration of E. coli, one a membrane filtration procedure, another a conventional most probable number (MPN) method and the third, a defined substrate/most probable number method,

Because of the vast numbers of different pathogens that may be present in sewage sludge, it is impossible, and indeed unnecessary, to monitor for the presence of all of them.

Microbiological screening of treated sewage

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Colilert-18®/Quanti-Tray®. While this valuable document explains the methods in detail, unfortunately it gives no guidance to the user as to which method is more applicable to the sewage sludge matrix.

Sewage sludge, by its very nature, is a difficult matrix to deal with and requires vigorous homogenisation to attempt to evenly disperse the bacteria present, but even after this has been done, the number and nature of the particulates present can cause problems with sample handling and in particular agar based membrane filtration (MF). Estimating the number of target bacteria present can also give rise to problems since, particularly with samples from new sites or processes where the numbers of target bacteria likely to be present may be completely unknown, several dilutions may need to be analysed in order to obtain a valid result. These factors are discussed to some extent in Part 2 of the series, “Practices and procedures for sampling and sample preparation,” but no detailed guidance is given.

The Membrane Filtration Method The MF procedure described in The Environment Agency series uses a medium (m-LGA), which detects E.coli by cleavage of β-D-glucuronide and the fermentation of lactose, and it indicates the presence as green colonies in the petri dish.

However, the method is unsuitable when there are relatively high concentrations of solids in the sample, as the solids themselves block the pores of the membrane. Additionally, and more importantly, the m-LGA medium was designed for the examination of drinking water samples, where only low numbers of organisms are generally encountered. Where higher numbers of organisms are present – such as in sludge - factors come into play that can affect the outcome of the analysis which lead to the numbers of E. coli reported being considerably underestimated.1,2

The MPN Procedure The conventional MPN procedure described in the series, being lactose based requires confirmation of results and is labour-intensive. Unlike m-LGA, however, identification is based upon the ability to ferment lactose at 44°C and to produce indole from tryptophan to determine the presence of E. coli. This methodology excludes some subsets of the bacteria from being identified and is also prone to false positive results from organisms such as Klebsiella oxytoca. The MPN procedure has a wide counting range and this is extremely beneficial for the examination of bio-solids where the likely content of E. coli is unknown, however, the need for confirmation of results increases laboratory hands-on time and delays the result to a minimum of 48 hours.

The MPN procedure combined with defined substrate technology (DST)

attributes of the other two systems, detecting E. coli by the most accurate method and a having a large counting range.

Results are available after 18 hours and are enumerated using a tray containing 97 wells giving a counting range of 1-2400 cells per ml of suspension.

Importantly, results require no confirmation and are not affected by the false negative results encountered with m-LGA. The procedure is extremely simple and a single tray gives a counting range over three orders of magnitude.

The three methods described in the “Microbiology of Sewage Sludge”3 are all very different and may be expected to give very different results. The International Standards Organisation now defines E. coli as a member of the Enterobacteriaceae that produces the enzyme β-D-glucuronidase. Thus, the first and third methods are in accordance with this. The m-LGA method was intended for use with drinking water where high background counts do not interfere with the activity of β-D-glucuronidase through production of excess acid. The Colilert-18/ Quanti-Tray2000 procedure is the simplest of all three methods, gives the highest dynamic counting range and the most accurate result.

References 1. Fricker CR et al: 2008 ”False-negative beta-D-glucuronidase reactions in membrane lactose glucuronide agar medium used for the simultaneous detection of coliforms and Escherichia coli from water.” Letters in Applied Microbiology. 47(6):53942.

2. Fricker CR et al: 2010 ”Understanding the cause of false negative β-D-glucuronidase reactions in culture media containing fermentable carbohydrate” Letters in Applied Microbiology 50, (6): 547-551.

3.

https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/ attachment_data/file/316831/mss2003__part_1_604529. pdf

Colilert-18 for Drinking Water Testing The Colilert-18 test became the ISO 9308-2 standard for the detection of E.coli and total coliforms in water in 2012, and later as EN ISO 9308-2 in 2014, following extensive validation, and provides quantified results in as little as 18 hours with no further confirmation of results required. It is also U.S. EPA-approved and included in Standard Methods for Examination of Water and Wastewater.

Colilert-18/Quanti-Tray has been specified as a reference method, under EN ISO 93082, in the European Drinking Water Directive 2015/1787. The amendment of the annexes II and III of the Council Directive 98/83/EC on the quality of water intended for human consumption has now been published in the European Official Journal, after being adopted by the European Commission on October 6th, 2015, and came into force on October 27th, 2015.

The advantages Colilert-18 has in providing confirmed results within 18 hours, with its superior sensitivity and specificity has seen it achieve global regulatory acceptance in over 40 countries. The confidence and assurance it offers water supply companies saw over two billion people globally being served by Colilert tests in 2013.

The Colilert-18/Quanti-Tray-2000 procedure detects E. coli using a combination of the best

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3 1

2

Crews from Panton McLeod spend a sizeable part of their working life traversing the UK’s potable water distribution networks carrying out inspection and maintenance.

Some crews even specialise in remote systems such as the Scottish Highlands and Islands, but over the past 6 months there have been a number of more exciting trips involving caves, big cats and last minute luggage adjustments as Panton McLeod UK teams support a number of international ventures.

As well as providing a service to the end client oversees these trips have allowed the crews to expand their knowledge of local challenges and bring this experience back to the UK. Jim Panton has been involved in a number of these projects and values the experience it provides for both the staff involved and the company as a whole, “We have had an interest in the US market for some time through Panton McLeod Americas but these last 6 months have taken our international footprint to another level.”

“It is fascinating to be working in such varied markets, everything from local water quality, financial regulation, public perception and physical geography affects the type of service we provide but there is still a lot of commonality.”

“The way our teams have stepped up to the challenge through problem solving and flexibility makes us all very proud and we look forward to continuing to develop in these locations either directly or through strategic partnerships.”

The map above shows in more detail some of the specific ongoing projects, with further interest from locations such as South East Asia, the Middle East and South America the team is looking forward to an interesting 2017.

Look out for further updates about international projects on the Panton McLeod website www.pantonmcleod.co.uk and to discuss any international opportunities contact info@pantonmcleod.co.uk

4

1. USA

3. Norway

Based in Groton, Massachusetts Panton McLeod Americas was the first international project, initially formed in 2007 the company provides specialist cleaning products for borehole remediation and tank cleaning.

Working in partnership with local Engineering company on a research and development project, Panton McLeod have formed a new venture named Ikon Pangonix.

The products which are branded as Pantonite are similar to the DWI approved PM55 and PM88. Holding NSF certification local distributors provide either a supply only, or the full service.

With thousands of small local water companies and supplies the market is very different to the UK. With a focus on well and borehole cleaning rather than storage tanks, the UK teams have been able to learn a lot about how these services could support UK clients.

With a number of successful UK borehole cleaning projects now completed further opportunities are being investigated.

2. Ireland Panton McLeod crews have been using their robotic inspection equipment to assess service reservoir condition for Irish Water for a number of years but now with a number of new inspections completed during 2016 follow on cleaning projects are beginning to be planned. Before the end of the year these are expected to include both a PM55 chemical clean at a critical asset supplying Dublin and another project where a 50Ml & 25Ml service reservoir will be cleaned.

With very similar water quality challenges as Scotland including Iron and Manganese the Panton McLeod PM55 & PM88 cleaning systems are perfect to clean assets without damaging the substrate.

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

Teams have been developing systems and processes to address challenges unique to the Norwegian market.

During August a crew from Panton McLeod travelled to Bergen and completed a first on Norwegian soil by inspecting and cleaning sections of potable water tunnel called Magazines.

The trial which was witnessed by senior officials from a number of Norwegian water companies was a huge success. To find more about the project visit the new Ikon Pangonix website www.ikonpangonix.no.

Panton McLeod International Asset Inspection

Reservoir Cleaning

Pipeline Commissioning

Mixing and THM Removal

5 Water Quality Support 4. South Africa

5. Australia / New Zealand

In June, Panton McLeod completed another first. The first robotic cleaning project on a potable water asset in South Africa.

Initially as a result of a conversation on LinkedIn, Panton Mcleod are working in partnership with a local service provider on a venture under the banner PM Resolutions.

The trip provided the Operations teams with some great learning including shipping bespoke robotic equipment 9000 miles.

Once on the ground the team spent two weeks cleaning out critical potable water tanks at a huge industrial facility providing it with 100% uptime during the works.

The crews even managed to fit in a trip to a nature reserve during the works and got up close and personal with some big cats.

Emergency Response

Using experiences gained locally in Australia and from similar works in the US, the partnership has a number of trials planned for 2016/2017. Trials are expected to involve a number of services to address the specific market challenges.

As a result of recent droughts Australia has led many developments in efficient working practices and both parties believe that by combining knowledge further advances can be made.

Panton McLeod also hope to bring this expertise back to the UK for use in areas of water shortages such as the South East.

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

www.pantonmcleod.co.uk •

@pantonmcleod

AQUAM

PIPELINE TECHNOLOGY

In-flow sewer inspection identifies severe corrosion • JD7 Pipescan+ identifies corroded sewer for Yorkshire Water • In-flow inspection saves pipe from likely failure • Technology works successfully in hostile sewer environment A severely corroded rising sewer main, which had lost two-thirds of its wall thickness in places, was detected for Yorkshire Water by JD7 using its Pipescan+ technology.

JD7, part of the Aquam group, was able to survey the 254mm-diameter pipe without disrupting the sewage flow, finding many places where the pipe wall had only 2mm remaining of its original 7mm thickness. This meant the water company could intervene in a timely way, saving the pipe from probable failure.

Rising sewer problem The project in Kenmore Road, Wakefield, exemplifies use of JD7 advanced inspection technology on a rising sewer main, a pipeline used to pump sewage under pressure to a higher location. A growing issue within sewer rising mains is corrosion and erosion on the invert - the lower part of the pipe into which the liquid sinks - eventually leading to bursts.

JD7’s general manager Dale Hartley says, “Corrosion and erosion is caused by grit and debris falling to the invert when the pumps are shut off. When the pumps restart, this is then pushed along the bottom causing wear to the pipe wall or lining.

“JD7’s role was to determine if the technology would work in the sewer environment and to what extent the pipe had been degraded. Problems encountered with this type of inspection include a high, fast moving solids content, which can and does obstruct survey distance, visibility and can impede performance creating blockages.”

Traditional methods of inspecting a sewer rising main usually involve an external ultrasonic scan, in isolated exposed areas, often reacting to a burst or leak. This provides only a very localised result around the small area of pipeline exposed or scanned.

This information can also be comparatively unrefined, providing only an approximate snapshot of wall thickness and estimated remaining service life for a very small area of the pipe. This is highly unlikely to be representative of the entire pipeline and does little to predict a possible recurrence.

Survey while in service PipeScan+ is an internal ultrasonic manipulator incorporating focused ultrasonic probes, a highresolution camera system and 512Hz sonde for tracing. PipeScan+ allows pipe infrastructure of

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all materials to be scanned whilst remaining in service, allowing a full dimensional survey to be achieved including multiple wall and lining thickness measurements and corrosion and flaw identification.

The system allows accurate calculation of remaining life expectancy of the pipework as thousands of measurements can be acquired in minutes. PipeScan+ is configured onto a 100m semi-flexible umbilical line, offering assessment over 100m lengths.

Data quality and detail PipeScan+ is unmatched with regards to the quality and detail of data captured from the technology and - unlike magnetic flux leakage tools - PipeScan+ not only gives average wall thickness readings, but also fully detailed structural assessments. Access into live pressurized pipework is possible and autocontrolled using a portable electronic drive system, which controls the feeding and pullback of the scanner in a controlled manner.

By inserting PipeScan+ technology into and along the live main, JD7 can obtain and provide more accurate, higher resolution pipe-wall data over a greater distance of the pipeline. This comprehensive information enables the utility to take informed investment decisions about whether the pipe requires maintenance or replacement.

Rising sewer mains form only a small proportion of the pipelines JD7 has tackled. More normally, the company would be asked to assess a potable water main using a tri-sensor survey such as the Investigator (pipelines <300mm) or the LDS1000, offering a survey distance of up to 1km in large diameter trunk mains.

This innovative, but proven technology provides a sophisticated way to inspect live mains though existing fittings & fixtures. Surveying live mains (water, sewer or other) without interruption to supply is a key driver for the UK water sector.

Informed decisions Hartley says, “The results provided the client with a greater level of confidence to make a decision on whether to replace the pipeline or not. Most sewer rising mains in the UK are now reaching 50 years old, and many of them are starting to leak.

“Under current environmental guidelines, a fine for a single sewer leak can reach more than £1 million. JD7’s technology provides the best way for utilities to get the most information about pipeline condition.

“Even if the utility takes the decision not to replace the main, being able to demonstrate that they took best available steps to assess the condition can demonstrate responsibility and help mitigate the size of the fines.”

Insert into live water and wastewater pipelines Up to 200m for PipeScan+ (up to 1km for the â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Amplusâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; inspection platform) Pipes scanned while the network remains in service Full dimensional survey achieved on any pipe material

Butt fusion quality assurance made simple l Easy operation on-site tool – joints are fully tested in under a minute l Non-destructively determines the integrity of the joint l Instant pass/fail indicator l Smartphone operated – ensures full project data capture (including GPS and photos) l Online reporting via secure server – can be integrated into client’s GIS l Demonstrates conformance with WIS 4-32-08

To find out how the BDI can save you money and increase productivity, please contact our sales team on 01246 262080 or email enquiries@controlpoint.co.uk

www.controlpoint.co.uk

“The BDI gives us an immediate result, with no waiting around.

Once we know the bead has passed, we can be confident that the pipe we’re putting into the ground won’t cause problems in the future.”

Anthony Browne, Site Manager, O’Connor Utilities Ltd

CONTROLPOINT

PIPELINE TECHNOLOGY

THE FUTURE OF BUTT FUSION QUALITY TESTING Polyethylene (PE) butt fusion joints in pressurised pipeline networks rarely fail in service.

But when failures do occur they are usually catastrophic in nature, resulting in major network incidents and costing the water industry millions every year.

Over the last 25 years, improvements to working practices have reduced the likelihood of butt fusion joint failures. However, the fact that they still occur is a major industry challenge. How can defective butt fusion joints be consistently remedied prior to pipeline commissioning?

The key to solving the problem lies in the bead.

The excess material from a butt fusion joint is known as the bead, and removing it from PE butt fusion joints for testing is a well-established quality procedure, used by both the UK gas and water industries.

So, what can the bead tell us about the integrity of the joint?

The ductility of a butt fusion joint bead that has been removed from the pipe correlates directly with the associated butt fusion joint.

Testing the integrity of the bead was initially pioneered by ERS (British Gas Engineering Research Station) in the late 1980s and was subsequently adopted by the water industry as the ‘bend back’ test.

In June 2016, the need for a robust quality test was reinforced by the UK water industry through the publication of the WIS 4-32-08 standard.

The bend back test involves removing the external butt fusion joint bead after the jointing process but before installation and commissioning. The bead is then subjected to ‘bending back’ by hand at regular intervals along the length – the aim being to apply stress, which reveals defects as splits.

It takes significant force to pull apart and in fact stretch (rather than break) a good bead from a good joint, but relatively little force is required to reveal splits in a bad bead from a brittle joint.

However, in most cases it still takes more force than a typical operator can provide through manual bending back alone.

The bend back test’s inherent difficulty means that it’s often only partially completed or even ignored altogether. The result? Latent defects are not discovered, and defective joints are introduced into the pipeline network.

The new standard – at a glance The new WIS 4-32-08 standard states that the full length of the bead must be tested at intervals no greater than 100mm. This is difficult, if not impossible to achieve by hand, so if the bend back test remains a manual procedure, compliance rates look set to fall even further.

There is also a widely recognised need to capture data relating to quality testing. However, recording data manually can be time-consuming and inconsistent.

The answer then, is surely to provide engineers with a tool that can perform the bend back test for them and store all associated data – quickly, easily and accurately.

Bead Diagnostic Instrument (BDI) The Bead Diagnostic Instrument (BDI) was developed by ControlPoint to give the installer the ability to remove butt fusion joint beads and test them in a repeatable and consistent manner – providing a reliable and simple non-destructive test (NDT) for PE butt fusion joints.

The BDI is a single tool that automatically adjusts to each bead size, applying a combination of shear, bending and tensile loading up to 500Kg along the majority of the bead length (circa 90%) as it is drawn through the internal mechanism.

A sensitive optical sensor monitors for any split defects and provides the installer with information about the integrity of the bead.

Why do butt fusion joints fail?

There are several defect types that result in butt fusion joint failures: n External contamination to the pipe ends - before, during or after the pipe heating process n Material issues n Process parameter variation n Alignment problems

If a bead ‘fails’, an alert is sent to supervisor, giving the installer the opportunity to remove the defective joint from the network prior to installation and commissioning..

The BDI is also fully integrated with the ControlPoint JointManager website via the use of Bluetooth and a smartphone. All results are captured and documented in real time on a secure server. Each test creates an electronic record, allowing the data to be stored and linked to the original butt fusion machine record, providing full traceability .

If the bead is good, the joint is good.

In developing the BDI, over 450 butt fusion joints were assessed, and over 4000 individual tensile tests performed.

There was a 100% correlation between the BDI assessment of the bead and the tensile test result conducted on the associated butt fusion joint. The conclusion? If the bead is good, the joint is good.

A lot of time and effort has been expended by the PE industry in trying to identify a viable non-destructive testing process for PE butt fusion joints – many are complicated and expensive, some rely on removing perfectly good butt fusion joints as samples or are simply destined for the test laboratory and not the challenges of a real world, working utility site.

The utility asset owner or installer no longer has to use poor bead removal tools or quite literally wrestle with beads that can approach 40mm in width. The BDI provides a reliable, practical and accurate non-destructive test for PE butt fusion joints, and crucially, it fulfills all requirements set out in WIS 4-32-08.

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NIVUS GMBH

NIVUFLOW 750 AWARDED MCERTS CERTIFICATION The company NIVUS, have been awarded MCERTS Class 2 Certification for their NivuFlow NF750 transmitter in conjunction with their POA Wedge, OCL and i-series sensors. Field trials which form a part of the testing process were conducted at WWTP of Eppingen, Germany.

About NIVUS

The NivuFlow 750 including the Correlation Sensor is intended to be used for continuous flow measurement in slight to heavy polluted media with various compositions. The flowmeter can be operated in partly filled and full channels and pipes with various shapes and dimensions.

It is a stationary measurement system for flow measurement and storage of the measurement data.

Through its brand new algorithms, the NivuFlow NF750 transmitter in conjunction with their POA Wedge, OCL and i-series sensors achieves a combined performance of around 3% which corresponds to the most accurate Area Velocity flowmeter on the market.

The flowmeter simultaneously determines the velocity and level at a common measurement point. A piezo crystal with a certain installation angle towards the flow direction operates as a flow velocity sensor. All the particles in the measurement path (air, dirt, suspended solids)

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The NIVUS group is a German-based leading developer, manufacturer and supplier of measurement instruments for water industry.

Since 1967 the company has been pointing the way ahead by setting new standards and by continuously developing high quality products and solutions.

reflect a part of the emitted ultrasonic signal pulse. This echo is received by the piezo crystal again and converted to electric signals. After a certain period the echoes of a second pulse are measured too. By correlation these echo the velocity simultaneously at different gates can be determined. With these set of velocities an extensive flow profile can be determined.

Associated to the cross section, the discharge is evaluated.

The company head office is located in Eppingen/ Germany. With 7 international subsidiaries and more than 40 distributing partners worldwide the company acts on a global base.

Contact:

NIVUS GmbH Martin MĂźller Im Taele 2 75031 Eppingen/Germany +49 (0) 7262 9191-832 martin.mueller@nivus.com

GPS PE PIPE SYSTEMS

PIPELINE TECHNOLOGY

Protecta-Line…now even bigger Already the UK’s leading barrier pipe solution, Protecta-Line now provides further benefits for end users with its large diameter sizes.

The development is in response to customer feedback, which revealed an increasing requirement for a need to transport large volumes of water in brownfield sites as demand for building increases, particularly in urban areas. While smaller sizes continue to be the most popular, the introduction of the range up to 630mm provides designers, contractors and end clients with more flexibility when selecting pipeline products and ensures GPS continues to provide solutions to meet the needs of every installation.

Commenting on the product expansion, Sophia Zhang, GPS PE Pipe Systems’ product manager said: “We continually undertake customer research to gain insights, which help drive our

product innovation strategy and enhance our product portfolios to ensure we continue to deliver value to our customers.

“Our Protecta-Line system is the preferred choice for many UK water companies so it is important we continue to develop the product range to meet the changing needs of the industry. By increasing the size range of the system we can now provide a complete pipe and fittings solution for large volume projects.”

The number one choice for barrier pipe, Protecta-Line is an award winning, fully integrated barrier pipe and fittings system. Its tough multi-layer construction incorporates an impermeable aluminum barrier layer wrapped onto a central core of PE80 or Excel (PE100) pipe. Its innovative design ensures that any contaminants remaining in brownfield sites and former industrial land cannot permeate into the water supply.

TECHNICAL GP-PT003/2

Previously available in sizes up to 355mm, the Protecta-Line range has been expanded to provide sizes up to 630mm, making GPS PE Pipe Systems the first UK manufacturer to offer such a large diameter barrier pipe system.

PRO TECTA-LINE BARRIE R PIPE AND FITTINGS SYSTEM

S

For complete peace of mind

Installation and Technical Guidelines

For further information on the extended ProtectaLine range or any other products within the GPS portfolio, log onto gpsuk.com or call 01480 442600.

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.

Find out more at: www.gpsuk.com/protecta-line GPS Protecta-Line Innovation 180x115mm.indd 1

Protecta-Line system is Kitemarked to WIS 4-32-19 Proven barrier against all recognised brownfield contaminants Suitable for corrosive conditions – 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

Continually innovating 20/7/15 14:23:42

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PIPELINE INNOVATIONS LTD

Pathfinder Foam Caliper Pig Pipeline Innovations Ltd (PIL) is a company based in the North East of England specialising in the supply of caliper and smart pig products for the oil and gas industry.

Caliper pigs are commonly used in the oil and gas industry to measure the bore of a pipeline and to identify the characteristics and location of features such as bends, offtakes and valves. An example of the type of work carried out by PIL is a high profile project recently completed for Petronas in Brazil which involved supply of caliper pigs for inspection of a 24â&#x20AC;? diameter x 270km long subsea pipeline in water depths of 2300m.

Traditional caliper pigs are mechanically complex and are expensive to build and operate and whilst this type of pig has previously been used for checking pipelines in the water industry, their use is not common. In recognition of the need for a lower cost simpler type of caliper tool, PIL have developed the PathfinderÂŽ Foam Caliper pig; a new type of pig which uses a unique patented technology to obtain a multi-channel pipe bore and geometry measurement capability in a foam pig body.

Applications The Pathfinder is typically used to prove the bore of a pipeline prior to running hard bodied cleaning or gauging pigs. The Pathfinder will identify and measure any significant dents, buckles or other restrictions in the line such as partially closed valves.

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The Pathfinder has also proven to be an ideal tool to use in support of cleaning operations in a pipeline. By running the tool before starting the cleaning program, an accurate assessment of the quantity and distribution of deposits in the line can be obtained. Using this information the pipeline operator can design the most efficient and cost effective cleaning program for the project. Further use of the Pathfinder as the work proceeds allows the operator to modify the program as necessary to optimise the cleaning efficiency. A high bypass version of the Pathfinder has been developed which produces a high velocity jet from the nose of the pig to generate turbulence preventing a build up of deposits in front of the pig.

Key Product Features The Pathfinder comprises a medium density polyurethane foam pig with a removable electronics cartridge containing sensors, electronics and batteries located in the centre of the pig. The polyurethane foam material is both tough and yet highly compressible allowing the tool to negotiate severe restrictions in a pipeline with minimal risk of damage or tearing.

Caliper sensors located in the electronics cartridge measure the compression of the foam at multiple points around the circumference of the tool, allowing the tool to identify and measure bore changes. Accelerometer sensors measure the roll (clock position) and the tilt angle of the pig and gyro sensors identify bend direction and angle.

An onboard logging system (with real-time clock) collects and stores data from the sensors, allowing pipeline features and anomalies recorded in the data to be referenced to pressure and flow records.

One of the major advantages of using the Pathfinder is that the tool is relatively simple to operate and as it does not normally require the services of a caliper technician, it provides significant cost benefits and operational advantages over conventional caliper tools.

Following download of the data onto a PC or Laptop, the operator transfers the data to the PIL operations base in the UK using an internet file sharing website for assessment by a skilled PIL analyst. A preliminary report detailing the main features in the pipeline including any anomalies will be issued within 24 hrs and a final report will be issued within 7 days.

Track Record Since the first production tools became operational by 2012, the Pathfinder has been used in over 40 pipelines by some of the major oil companies such as BP, Shell and ExxonMobil on pipelines in Europe, North America and SE Asia. The Pathfinder has successfully detected and measured deposits of wax, sand and hard scale deposits in oil and gas lines and has been used as a key element in the planning and execution of cleaning programs. The tool has also been used to identify and locate restrictions in lines where hard bodied pigs have been either damaged or stuck.

TOTAL ACCESS

PIPELINE TECHNOLOGY

SAFETY SERVICES ABOVE AND BELOW GROUND Total Access now part of the Arco family, offer an all-encompassing height safety and confined space specialist access service, our team of experts are dedicated to providing safe, quality solutions to challenging access problems remaining at the forefront of our industry for 25 years.

Our safety services include inspections and surveys of bridges, culverts, CCTV inspections, scour and topographical surveys, we can also carry out building maintenance and cleaning solutions to those difficult access areas.

Our inspection service aims to keep disruption to the customer and third parties to a minimum.

We pride ourselves on our specialist access techniques including Rope Access and Confined Space. Inspection of bridges and culverts can vary from simple surveys to full in-depth tactile examination, detailing corrosion effects, dimensional analysis and condition, through to full Non-Destructive Testing of metallic and reinforced concrete structures.

We can now also provide scour and topographical Surveys. Total Access can provide assessment of scour and other hydraulic actions at highway and railway structures crossing or adjacent to waterways. Our highly trained and competent engineers are capable of accessing the most difficult to access structures both above and below ground utilising multi-faceted techniques including rope access, confined spaces and safety boats access. Our topographical survey team can carry out in-depth surveys to client specifications and can assist surveyors in obtaining survey data from difficult access situations such as spans over water or high level structures.

Our safety boat service means we can provide a fully comprehensive inspection and maintenance service solution. Our team of safety boat operatives are highly trained and qualified and are able to provide a wide range of services from the complete support of rope access teams to works that are carried out over or in close vicinity of water where rescue capability is required. We can provide rapid safety boat cover whilst bridge maintenance and construction works are being undertaken.

We can provide safety boat services for a wide range of applications: n Rescue Cover n Inland waterway access n Environmental Surveys n Bridge Inspections

We also offer our clients a Fall Protection service right through from consultation to design and installation. Our highly experienced department is approved to provide a wide range of high level access systems and fall protection systems from the leading manufacturers in the field.

n Scour Surveys

To find out more about any of the services we offer please contact Total Access on : 01785 850333

n Difficult Access

Or email us at Sales@totalaccess.co.uk

n Media and Filming n Marine Services n Work Vessels n Pontoons

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A field of wheat sloping towards a stream

THAMES WATER AND CATCHMENT MANAGEMENT FOR PESTICIDES – THE STORY SO FAR It’s that time of year again. Harvest has started, autumn crops are being planted and farmers and water companies are taking a keen interest in the weather forecast. When autumn rains arrive the catchment will wet up, bringing water for the crops and bolstering drinking water supplies.

However, young crops are vulnerable to pests and require protection. Pesticides applied to crops in autumn and winter can be washed into streams and rivers that are used as drinking water sources.

One pesticide in particular is challenging for water companies across the UK: metaldehyde, the active ingredient in slug pellets.

By Jo Clint Catchment Advisor, Thames Water The drinking water standard for pesticides is 0.1 µg/l (0.1 parts per billion). This is not a healthbased standard, but rather reflects a desire in society for drinking water to be pesticide-free.

Over the years water companies have invested billions of pounds installing advanced water treatment processes, such as ozone and granular activated carbon, to remove pesticides from water. Unfortunately, metaldehyde isn’t well removed by these processes, and even though other pesticides are treatable, the treatment is expensive and energy intensive. It would be far better and more sustainable to keep the pesticides out of water and in the field where they are doing their job. This is where catchment

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The Thames Water catchment area covers 11,000km2, from the headwaters of the Thames in the west, to London and the Lee valley in the east.

Much of the land is intensively farmed including significant areas of oil seed rape and wheat.

These two crops present particularly high risk to water quality because they are often sown in the autumn and subsequent pesticide applications occur during the wettest months of the year. We estimate that there could be more than 10,000 farmers in our area - that’s a lot of potential pesticide users.

source). Farmyard sources can include accidental spills or drips when machinery is filled or washed after use. Although the amounts of pesticide involved are generally small, the concentrations can be very high. Some farmers use biofilters to manage the washings from the farmyard. The washwater is collected and passed through a series of containers filled with straw, soil, and lots of helpful microbes. The microbes break down the pesticides, so that the water that comes out of the biofilter has much lower concentrations of pesticides than the water that goes in. Thames Water has funded the installation of a biofilter on a farm and is monitoring influent and effluent pesticide concentrations to find out how much difference a biofilter can make to water quality.

Agricultural pesticides can reach water from the farmyard (point source) or the field (diffuse

Farmyard sources of pesticides should be easier to address, but field sources tend to account for

management comes in, helping to prevent pesticides reaching watercourses in the first place.

FEATURE: CATCHMENT MANAGEMENT

Metaldehyde concentration pre- and post-trials starting in two catchments

Thames Water catchment area and catchment management trials.

Trials mentioned in this article are highlighted in orange and blue

a much larger proportion of pesticides reaching rivers and are much harder to tackle. Best practice can help prevent direct pollution of rivers when pesticides are applied, for example having buffer strips in fields adjacent to water or ditches, making sure sprayers are tested and that low drift nozzles are used. However, once pesticides have been applied, preventing them from being washed into rivers by the next rainfall event is much harder to control.

One suggestion is to slow the flow of water as it leaves the field. Thames Water is trialling using swales (shallow ditches that capture field runoff) to investigate whether giving runoff time to interact with the soil and the microbes in it could reduce pesticide concentrations entering watercourses. It will be interesting to see the results from this autumn and winter.

Another way to tackle diffuse pollution is to reduce the amount of pesticide being applied to the fields so that there is less available to runoff when it rains. Thames Water has been using a “product substitution” approach in a number of catchments, asking farmers to switch to using slug pellets with a different active ingredient, ferric phosphate, which does not cause water quality issues. These trials have been subsidised by us to encourage farmers to get involved. In one area, the Ampney Brook, a tributary of the Upper Thames, metaldehyde concentrations had previously been recorded as high as 7.88µg/l, compared with 0.19µg/l in the first year of the trial. In Pincey Brook, a tributary of the Lee, a

to reduce slug pressure. Thames Water monitors metaldehyde concentrations at the downstream end of the catchment, and farmers are paid if the water remains below the drinking water standard for metaldehyde. In 2015, a PES trial involving three farmers helped keep the river Tillingbourne metaldehyde-free. The challenge now is to scale up this approach to larger catchments with more farmers.

Wheat

“hotspot” product substitution approach has been used, only swapping to ferric phosphate on ‘high risk’ fields. Risk is increased by proximity to watercourses, steep slopes, and soil types prone to rapid runoff (like underdrained, heavy clay). In 2014 and 2015, this resulted in lower metaldehyde concentrations than previous years, although they still exceeded 0.1µg/l.

To date, the results of our catchment activities have been mixed. It’s extremely difficult to determine whether apparent improvements in water quality are due to changes in farmer practices or weather patterns and crop rotations.

We’ve detected improvements in water quality at a local scale that appear to be attributable to our project work. However, to make a difference to metaldehyde concentrations at downstream abstraction points will need changes in farmer behaviour over a much greater area. Scaling up catchment management is a challenge and requires lots of cooperation between people with different views and objectives.

The final approach that Thames Water is trialling is “Payment for Ecosystem Services” (PES).

This is based on the idea that the land provides services, like food and clean water, and that land managers should be paid as guardians of the land, making sure it can provide those services. In these trials, farmers decide how to prevent metaldehyde reaching watercourses.

Options include product substitution, changing to spring cropping, or using cultivation methods

Over the years water companies have invested billions of pounds installing advanced water treatment processes, such as ozone and granular activated carbon, to remove pesticides from water.

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PROMAR

CATCHMENT MANAGEMENT: INFLUENCING BEHAVIOUR ON FARM TO ADDRESS DIFFUSE POLLUTION The goal of Catchment Management (CM) should be to engage with farmers to promote best practice from a non-regulatory perspective.

Commonly the focus is improving water quality; however this approach gives the opportunity for the farmer to gain direct benefit to their business, as well as targeting a range of other environmental benefits such as flood risk, soil health, and promoting sustainable agriculture.

The primary risk is to attempt a ‘one-size fits all’ approach to catchment engagement. The attitudes of farmers, and the best way to engage with them, can vary widely dependent on their level of experience, education, the type of farming enterprise, and the current advice they receive. Ignoring these differences creates an unsound base for development of CM initiatives, and a high level of engagement is unlikely to be achieved.

Gaining commitment from farmers In building a successful foundation for any initiative, it is vital to have a good awareness of the farmers that will be involved. A limited amount of initial information may be available; however key information can be missing. Where the source is government data for example, details may be for an agent, not the farmer. In addition, the sale of land can lead to the creation of multiple, and conflicting, entries for a farm holding. It is also often unclear whether the contact information relates to the farmer, land owner or a contract farmer.

At Promar, we recommend a brief face-to-face visit as initial engagement. A physical visit allows the initiative to be briefly introduced to the farmer and for some key information on the farm to be obtained. This can include basic management practices, key advisor details, and information on crops and/or livestock on the farm. The influence of advisors, consultants, and suppliers should not be underestimated, and gaining their trust is vital to influencing farmer behaviour.

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This also gives the best way to decide how to engage with the farmer going forward – ask them! This may seem obvious but often the plan for an initiative is fixed before the farmers are contacted. This has a danger of coming close to an ‘enforcement-style’ approach and alienating farmers. Getting their input, and varying your plans accordingly, shows that this is not a oneway relationship weighted solely to your goals, and also that the water industry is willing and able to listen to their views.

Achieving ‘win-win’ outcomes The nature of the catchment initiative will be targeted to achieving your end goal – whether this is a particular pesticide, nitrate, sediment loss or reducing flood risk - however, this may not be a primary concern for the farmer. Therefore, building a ‘two-way’ relationship is essential in order to help farmers understand how achieving your goal helps them to improve their farm businesses.

This may mean events focusing on improving soil management and cultivation techniques, for example, which have direct benefits to the farmer but also can help to reduce loss of sediments, pesticides, and nutrients to water. It is important to consider that multiple groups are in regular contact with farmers, all seeking to engage their support. There is a high risk of causing confusion and ‘engagement fatigue’ for the farmer, and ultimate losing their support, so ensuring farmers see a benefit is vital in achieving long-term success in CM.

Long-term engagement CM is not a short term solution. It is unlikely that any initiative will provide a quick fix to a problem.

It is important to view this as a long-term strategy to build a relationship with farmers and

key stakeholders in order to make a significant change to behaviour and attitudes, particularly where the goal is to change a practice that has been used on a family farm for decades: this is not an easy task.

At Promar, we have undertaken behavioural studies to understand the attitude of farmers to engagement with various groups across the country, and whether they feel this is a successful method of improving water quality. A regular response is that they are unaware of whether their actions have made a difference. Providing feedback on the outcomes, positive or negative, is an excellent way of keeping in touch, and maintaining a longer-term relationship, with farmers. This builds a foundation for future engagement and further catchment management activities. Failure to provide this feedback tells the farmer that the industry is unwilling to take the time to update them and sends a poor message about your CM initiative.

Feedback and a point of contact provide opportunities for farmers to stay engaged. If the initiative is to go further, ask the farmer their view: What did they like? What didn’t work? What more could be done? Farmers can then start to feel they are influencing the CM initiative.

At Promar, we provide a full range of support measures to help develop CM initiatives and provide best practice advice across the UK to private and public sector clients. This has included detailed behavioural studies to ensure initiatives can be tailored to a specific catchment and highlight options for successful ongoing engagement. For more information, contact Matt Brennan or Tom Gill on 01270 616800.

FEATURE: CATCHMENT MANAGEMENT SPRING2015 ISSUE185

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IN THIS ISSUE: UNDERGROUND ASSET S PUBLIC HEALTH WASTEWATER SOLU TIONS RIVERS

IN THIS ISSUE: N RETAIL COMPETITIO EL THAMES TIDEWAY TUNN ASSET OPTIMISATION STRY TO THE WATER INDU ATTRACTING PEOPLE

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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

Catchment Management Support Services and Activities Support Farmers

po Sup

• •

Attitude and behaviour studies Characterisation reports Catchment walkovers Farmer surveys and assessments Discussion groups and stakeholder meetings Benchmarking And more...

Ac

• • • • •

rt

A

ise dv

Engage with farmers to understand their motivations, behaviour and knowledge:

e ev i h

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Understand Farmers

na Ma

Help farmers to improve their knowledge and land management practices to develop mutually beneficial relationships: • • • • • • •

Nutrient management planning Pesticide handling, storage and application advice Soil husbandry advice Machinery calibration Water and energy audits Waste management planning And more...

ACHIEVE YOUR OBJECTIVES Create long-term relationships and meaningful engagement with farmers to support their business and help them to understand and reduce their environmental impact.

01270 616800

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BRUSH THE RUSH – PROACTIVE CATCHMENT MANAGEMENT TACKLING PESTICIDE RISKS Increasing pesticide detections are an issue for Dwr Cymru Welsh Water. By undertaking in-depth root-cause analysis, using innovative analytical technologies and tailoring catchment solutions we are tackling this trend whilst creating a legacy of best practice. Sarah Jones, Catchment Partnership Co-ordinator, Dwr Cymru Welsh Water explains.

Emerging risk

most appropriate and effective catchment solution.

In recent years, our routine monitoring has detected increased levels of pesticide at a number of raw water abstractions throughout Wales; principally grassland herbicides, such as MCPA, detected during early summer. Whilst these levels are too low to pose a health risk to those drinking the water or to damage the wider environment it is sufficient to breach the rigorous Drinking Water Standards, which equate to 1 blade of straw in 100,000 bales!

In 2013 and 2014 we started our investigations within our priority catchment of the River Teifi, West Wales, chosen due to the significant increase of MCPA detections in preceding years. A broad range of desk-based and field activities were undertaken with stakeholders from agriculture to amenity sectors, with the aim to understand what changes there had been in the use of MCPA. Simultaneous catchment sampling was undertaken to understand the scale and extent of the issue. Working with Natural Resources Wales (NRW) and Portsmouth University we used new passive sampling “Chemcatcher®” technology to provide a time-weighted average for pesticides in water, at eight samples points every two weeks, over a 15 month period. For the first time, the method was used in an extensive

Welsh Water have explored catchment management as part of a proactive solution to tackle this increasing trend.

Finding the root cause Our detailed root-cause analysis enabled us to identify the most likely sources and design the

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catchment monitoring programme providing a more consistent picture of pesticides levels in the catchment.

Our investigations concluded that the MCPA losses were most likely from diffuse sources, with agricultural use being the most significant contribution. MCPA doesn't bind to soil particles so it's prone to leaching and once in water it can take three-four weeks to break down. MCPA is frequently used to control infestations of Common Rush. In recent years infestations have flourished due to wet summers and winters. Traditionally grazing regimes or mechanical control measures are used control the weeds, but this becomes difficult in poor ground conditions. Many farmers and land managers are turning to chemical measures for a ‘quick-fix’, with MCPA applied through a boom-sprayer as technique of choice.

FEATURE: CATCHMENT MANAGEMENT Partnership working Even at this early stage we knew we could not deliver a solution alone, so we set-up our MCPA Working Group which is made up of key industry stakeholders – Natural Resources Wales, Farmers Union of Wales, National Farmers Union Cymru, Country Landowners Association Wales, Meat Promotions Wales, Farming and Wildlife Advisory Group Cymru, Farming Connect, Dalton’s ATVs and National Sheep Association. Early engagement meant it was a true partnership approach with every organisation able to contribute and shape the solution from the start.

Working as a partnership has offered more than industry expertise, it also allowed the communication of consistent key messages through existing trusted networks, such as newsletters, attendance at shows and social media. The vast amount of advice and information that we were able to access from our key partners quickly helped to establish trust in our project and ensure its successful uptake.

Innovative solution We needed something that would offer a targeted solution in our priority areas, enabling us to measure the benefits and deliver long term change. We felt that the most appropriate approach would be through offering alternative application methods. The free weed wiper hire has given Welsh Water a ‘conversation starter’ for engagement. It provides a platform for raising awareness of the impact pesticides have on water quality, and offers advice on alternative management options. Direct application of pesticide onto the target weed is more efficient, uses less chemical and spray drift is dramatically reduced so there is a clear benefit to the farmers for using a weed wiper over traditional boom spraying and as glyphosate is the only chemical licenced for use, as it breaks down more quickly in the environment, it also has the advantage of causing less impact on water quality.

For Welsh Water, the heart of this project has been the Partnership awareness campaign. It encouraged farmers and land managers to leave the ‘chemical treadmill’ and gain long term

control by addressing the root cause of weed growth. This approach is summarised in our ‘Rush Hierarchy’ which works through a suggested four control stages:

Review feasibility and

cost benefit of control,

Understand why and deliver preventative measures,

Solve issues to create less favourable conditions for growth, Handle growth using

short term treatment.

WaterSource

RUSH

Management Hie rarchy

R eview

Assess the need to manage rush.

Is it feasible and cost-effective?

U nderstand Understand why rushes flourish and help prevent infestation.

S olve

Create less favoura ble conditions for rushes to grow.

H andle

Use seasonal treatme for short term control. nts

This project is supported

by:

We were very encouraged that in 2015 over 60 farmers took up the offer of weed wiping over an area roughly the size of 850 rugby pitches. This positive uptake was reflected in the water quality results as the 2015 MCPA detections were lower than the previous two years.

It was also a real honour that the project has been recognised as Partnership of the Year 2016 at the Water Industry Achievement Awards. We were also proud to represent the Welsh Area at the UK finals of the Institute of Water Innovation Awards, and delighted to come second overall.

Project legacy The project targets two areas of the River Teifi and upper River Wye (totalling approx. 2,000km2).

From attending shows to social media posts, TV appearances to online hubs, we’ve worked hard to get our key messages out into the local communities. This has been well received, and to date, we have issued nearly 300 information packs in the target areas and across Wales. The campaign has started to foster a change in behaviours and a culture shift towards pesticide use. Feedback suggests many land managers are now seeking longer term controls which not only benefit land productivity but lower risk to water quality and the environment.

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APEM

TACKLING DIFFUSE POLLUTION AT EVERY LEVEL

Tackling diffuse pollution across whole river catchments is a tough nut to crack, but new techniques are bringing results on the ground, says Dr David Bradley, head of hydro-ecology at APEM. Urban and rural diffuse pollution is a key challenge in the management of our river catchments for achieving both environmental standards and high quality drinking water.

Now a unique integration of catchment surveys, innovative remote sensing, stakeholder engagement and practical work has emerged and is showing that practical improvements to river environments can often be achieved simply and cheaply.

Dealing with diffuse pollution is not easy. It is pollution of many different kinds that originates in many different places and finds its way into watercourses via many different routes. Its impact is cumulative, with comparatively small amounts of pollution from different sources potentially adding up to a major issue. To improve water quality means finding and tackling as many of these often nebulous sources of diffuse pollution as possible.

In recent years the UK has started looking at river catchments holistically, using the catchment based approach. It aims to reduce diffuse pollution and meet regulatory demands, such as those of the Water Framework Directive and the Drinking Water Inspectorate.

However, implementing this catchment based approach has proved challenging. Efforts have focused on different scales, ranging from modelling catchment pollution risk at a coarse resolution to detailed walkover surveys along the length of watercourses. So far though, investigations have tended to focus on relatively small catchments.

Over the past seven years, APEM has developed a suite of techniques encompassing detailed walkover surveys, remote sensing and farm advice to tackle diffuse pollution in large and small catchments. By working in partnership with statutory agencies, charities, water companies and landowners, it has resulted in real change on the ground throughout the UK. APEM’s approach was further developed through research funded by UKWIR (UK Water Industry Research) in 2015. The keys to success are combining an evidence based approach with good community engagement.

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In terms of gathering the evidence needed, there are three important considerations. Firstly, understanding catchments at different scales.

Secondly, that diffuse pollution generally enters watercourses at specific locations. Thirdly, that changes over time in sources of diffuse pollution are often underestimated.

Scale Applying the right tools at the right scale is crucial to achieving successful outcomes. APEM uses data ranging from low resolution satellite data through to ultra-high resolution aerial survey data from the company’s survey aircraft. Scientists are able to use these data to model and map river catchments and identify the risks from diffuse pollution.

But while understanding diffuse pollution at a large scale is an important first step, improving water quality ultimately requires working at the field scale in close collaboration with individual land owners and land managers.

To gather the detailed evidence base at the farm and field scale, APEM uses ultra-high resolution aerial imagery, standardised walkover surveys and wet weather water sampling.

Location Although there can be many sources of pollution across a catchment, the pollution often enters watercourses at fewer, specific places. This is because the pollution is frequently carried by rainwater runoff and the pathways of this runoff meet up before joining the watercourse.

So, whilst the sources of pollutants are important, the pathways by which they enter the watercourse are equally important. Walkover surveys are particularly effective in identifying these pathways. They involve field scientists surveying the entire length of watercourses on foot using a standard methodology. Scientists from APEM have carried out over 15,000 km of walkover surveys and developed the standard method used by the Environment Agency.

The company has also recently developed a complementary approach that uses analysis of

satellite imagery and ultra-high resolution aerial imagery to identify diffuse pollution pathways.

Change over time Pollution from the land rarely enters a waterbody constantly but varies in response to weather – especially the quantity and severity of rainfall – as well as to changes in land use.

It is now possible to use remote sensing technologies such as satellite imagery to monitor changes in land use that may impact diffuse pollution. Previously, satellite and aerial imagery was only available for a random selection of dates, typically in summer, over a period of years.

But APEM is now using the latest technology in satellite imagery to monitor land use changes and farming practices over periods of days, not years.

The imagery also allows experts to monitor the effectiveness of measures after they have been implemented.

The way forward The need to meet challenging regulations is inspiring innovative approaches that open the door to continued improvements in the water quality and ecology of rivers.

Even so, the integrated techniques that can tackle the complexity of diffuse pollution across whole river catchments have only recently been developed. They rely on a solid evidence base, sound science and strong relationships with land owners, water companies, rivers trusts and other stakeholders.

With its long-standing commitment to high quality science, APEM is at the forefront of these new techniques. It is uniquely placed to bring together expertise in field surveys, consultancy, laboratory testing, remote sensing, farm advice and practical work.

Dr David Bradley d.bradley@apemltd.co.uk

NATURE METRICS

CATCHMENT MANAGEMENT

DNA-BASED MONITORING OF BIODIVERSITY FOR CATCHMENT MANAGEMENT Many catchment management activities aim to have a positive impact on biodiversity, but how do we know if they are working?

Our ideas about what benefits biodiversity are still based largely on intuition, and the effectiveness of many common interventions remains virtually untested. Simple-to-measure variables like habitat complexity are often used as a proxy for biodiversity, but there is actually little evidence that these can predict changes in biological communities. The risk here is that positive outcomes reported based on simple habitat-level responses can obscure a lack of true ecological change, and projects that carry out minimal direct monitoring of communities have indeed been shown to report more false positive conclusions about the effects of restoration.

But comprehensive, direct monitoring of biodiversity is very demanding, necessitating surveys for hundreds of species across a very wide range of taxonomic groups. Many of these species are extremely hard to identify (e.g. many invertebrates) and others are difficult or expensive to sample (aquatic and semi-aquatic vertebrates).

Furthermore, to robustly judge the effectiveness of a management intervention, sampling must be

robust monitoring programme and evidence-based evaluation of success.

carried out pre- and post-intervention both at the focal site and at equivalent ‘control’ sites where there is no intervention. Only by doing this is it possible to distinguish between changes caused by the intervention and those that would have occurred anyway due to the passage of time and unrelated environmental factors. It is thus easy to see how the effort involved in sampling and taxonomic identification of specimens quickly becomes prohibitive to the implementation of a

This is where environmental genetics comes into play. Instead of painstaking visual identifications of thousands of small organisms – and hours spent trying to catch large ones, we can now use DNA to identify which organisms are present at a site. DNA can be obtained from collections of organisms (e.g. kick net or sweep net samples) or directly from the environment (e.g. water samples) before being sequenced in bulk in a process known as DNA ‘metabarcoding’. DNA recovered from a single water sample can be used to survey animal groups ranging from fish to flatworms, to screen for invasive species or pathogens, and to compare overall biodiversity against that sampled at other times or places.

This opens the door for far more comprehensive monitoring and evidence-based evaluation of management activities, representing a huge step forward in our capacity to effect real positive change for biological communities.

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Slug it Out – the largest ever metaldehyde free farming trial

Anglian Water’s Catchment Management Team may have only been in post since 2014 but the benefits the approach has already brought in terms of raw water quality are clear to see.

Slug it Out is the first focus for the team who are working with farmers and landowners across the Companies’ region to address issues with metaldehyde (the chemical found in slug pellets) in raw waters.

Metaldehyde is not harmful to humans at current concentrations but its presence at the levels found means that UK drinking water breaches quality standards. Levels regularly exceed the strict European standard of 0.1 micrograms per litre (or parts per billion) in treated water. This is the same as one drop of water in an Olympic sized swimming pool. Removing metaldehyde through treatment is currently not financially feasible at the scale required. Anglian Water predicts that to install treatment across their area would increase customer bills by as much as 21%.

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The first year of the trial has seen a 60% reduction in levels of the chemical detected in reservoir tributaries. The campaign area covered more than 7000 hectares and as part of the trial, all farmers within natural catchments of six reservoirs in Northamptonshire, Suffolk, Essex and Cambridgeshire agreed to use alternatives to metaldehyde to control slugs.

Year two of the Slug It Out campaign will see it extended to include Rutland - the largest natural catchment in the UK for a reservoir at 7,500 hectares - effectively doubling the trial’s size.

Lucinda Gilfoyle, Catchment Strategy Manager for Anglian Water, said: “We’ve made great strides in the first year of the trial, which at this scale was an industry first – not only for Anglian Water but for both the water and farming industries as

a whole. Thanks to the proactive reception and cooperation from the farmers in our region, we’ve built a valuable picture of pesticide movement on individual farms and proved metaldehyde alternatives really do work in tackling slug damage”.

“The trial has also revealed that by working together we can reduce metaldehyde levels in raw water sources. Levels of metaldehyde detected in the Hollowell and Ravensthorpe Reservoirs in Northamptonshire were compliant with the regulations and remained below the statutory limit during the trials first year. In Alton Water in Suffolk, Ardleigh Reservoir near Colchester, Pitsford Water in Northamptonshire and Grafham Water in Cambridgeshire there were still exceedances but overall levels were reduced significantly”

FEATURE: CATCHMENT MANAGEMENT “I’d like to thank all the farmers who took part last year; their forward-thinking has yielded valuable data that will help us raise these challenges with policymakers to find sustainable solutions for both our sectors for the future”.

“If the UK is to comply with pesticide regulations, we know that a more detailed and longer term strategy is needed, which also takes account of non-agricultural and domestic use of metaldehyde.

“Extending Slug It Out for a second year and expanding it to include Rutland will now allow us to verify our findings over an even larger farmed area and timeframe, building on that evidence base and helping to identify the package of measures needed. I’d encourage farmers to work with us again, and hope farmers in Rutland will also see the value in coming on board with the trial.”

Table 1: Metaldehyde levels in reservoirs and tributaries, 2014-2015 2014 metaldehyde level (µg/l)

2015 metaldehyde level (µg/l)

% drop

Alton (peak)

0.088

0.087

1

Ardleigh (peak)

0.102

0.097

5

Grafham (peak)

0.236

0.171

28

Pitsford (peak)

0.199

0.162

19

Hollowell (peak)

0.187

0.163

13

Ravensthorpe (peak)

0.275

0.123

55

Combined reservoir average (peak)

0.181

0.134

26

Combined catchment tributary average (all samples throughout the year)

0.984

0.390

60

Sam Paske, Farm Manager of Hail Weston Farms Ltd which manages land within the Grafham Water Catchment took part in the trial last year.

He said “We were approached by Anglian Water to take part in this trial and it was something we definitely wanted to be involved in. If we are going to preserve metaldehyde for use then we all need to work together to ensure that it doesn’t reach water sources”.

“After speaking to the Catchment Advisor we made simple changes to our normal integrated approach to slug management. I have not noticed any difference between metaldehyde and the alternative ferric phosphate product – I know some people are unsure about it because you don’t see the dead slugs on the ground with ferric, but as long as I can see the crop growing I’m happy”.

“The trials were clearly beneficial to the farm business and was well supported by Anglian Water.”

Slugs are one of the most devastating pests faced by UK farmers - wheat and oilseed rape are particularly affected. Metaldehyde is currently the most popular pesticide for dealing with slugs – but the alternatives are growing in use, in particular those using the active ingredient ferric phosphate. Ferric phosphate is less soluble in water so is less likely to end up in watercourses when it rains.

Table 2: Farmer engagement in Slug It Out Catchment

No Farmers

Land in Trial (ha)

New Metaldehyde Offset (kg)*

Pitsford

24

2,841

597

Alton

23

1,755

369

Grafham

12

1,112

233

Ardleigh

14

816

171

Hollowell

4

590

124

Ravensthorpe

12

566

119

Total

89

7,679

1,613

*Assuming an average metaldehyde application rate of 210g/ha

"Thanks to the proactive reception and cooperation from the farmers in our region, we’ve built a valuable picture of pesticide movement on individual farms and proved metaldehyde alternatives really do work in tackling slug damage."

Lucinda Gilfoyle, Catchment Strategy Manager for Anglian Water

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Upstream approaches to improving drinking water quality Claire Lorenc, Environmental Scientist, and Liz Corbett, Catchment Team Manager, of Northumbrian Water Group explain how the company takes a multi-strand upstream approach to protecting drinking water quality.

Northumbrian Water Group supplies drinking water to 4.5million people, operating as Northumbrian Water in the north east of England and Essex & Suffolk Water in East Anglia.

Pesticides, including metaldehyde, coming from catchments can pose a risk to drinking water.

Companies address these risks by undertaking extra monitoring, engaging with farmers, managing their abstraction and having pesticide removal processes at treatment works. This article describes how Northumbrian Water Group is improving drinking water quality by working with farmers, grant funding on-farm improvements and actively managing when water is taken from rivers.

Catchment engagement Northumbrian Water Group has a long term commitment to engaging with catchment stakeholders. We employed our first Catchment Advisor in 2004, and now have a team of five.

Our Catchment Advisors work collaboratively with farmers and growers, who manage the land within our drinking water catchment areas, on a voluntary basis. They work closely at the local farm level, providing tailored on-farm advice to encourage changes in behaviour that reduce pesticide losses to water. They also involve farmers in farm scale research trials. The emphasis is on engaging with farmers and their advisors at the ‘field’ level to establish working practices supporting both sustainable food production and the protection of water resources.

Our Catchment Advisors also work in partnership with stakeholder organisations to achieve joint goals. We support ongoing initiatives with local Catchment Based Approach partnerships, the National Farmers Union (NFU), Rivers Trusts, Wildlife Trusts, Catchment Sensitive Farming and the Campaign for the Farmed Environment.

Our Catchment Advisors’ remit covers all factors affecting drinking water quality. However, a current focus is our Pesti-wise initiative. This aims to reduce the levels of pesticides found in water in five small high-risk catchments.

Pesti-wise Pesti-wise is a voluntary scheme based on oneto-one engagement with arable farmers and providing grants towards on-farm improvements.

It has significantly reduced the levels of

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metaldehyde and other pesticides in river waters in its first year. Through Pesti-wise we aim to make contact with all farmers and their advisors in the target catchment. Our Advisors visit farms to encourage best practice in the use and application of pesticides. We incentivise improvements in practice with grants towards the cost of precision equipment and improved sprayer filling area infrastructure. Then we assess the impact of the scheme by monitoring water quality in the five target, and also in control, catchments.

Examples of changing practices include encouraging the use of different types of slug pellets, and adapting the timing of pellet applications, depending on weather and field conditions. In addition, the Pesti-wise Grant Scheme has part-funded the construction of bunded sprayer filling areas, the installation of sprayer auto-section shut-off, the use of straw rakes to increase slug desiccation and reduce activity, and the use of precision applicators for spreading slug pellets.

These changes are already contributing to improved water quality. In the Roxwell Brook catchment, near Chelmsford in Essex, 92% of land in the catchment was covered by a Pesti-wise farm visit during the first year. All catchment water samples during the autumn and winter of 2015/16 were below the 0.1µg/l drinking water standard

for metaldehyde. This compared to an average of 56% of samples above 0.1µg/l in the previous three autumns. The maximum concentration of metaldehyde observed was also significantly reduced, an encouraging 96% lower than in the previous three years. Similarly encouraging results have been seen across all of the Pesti-wise catchments and for other pesticides. Pesti-wise will continue until March 2020.

Abstraction Management Alongside the ongoing activities of our Catchment Advisors, where possible, Northumbrian Water Group also actively manages when water is abstracted from rivers, into our reservoirs and treatment works, during the autumn. This is to try to avoid taking water at times when metaldehyde concentrations are high. This programme has run each autumn since 2013 in our Essex & Suffolk Water operating area, and at one site as a trial in 2015 in our Northumbrian Water operating area.

Such management requires the ability to blend or select between sources of water, and to supply treatment works from stored reserves when abstraction from a river source is not available.

In 2015, our Essex & Suffolk Water abstraction management programme covered four rivers, protecting five water treatment works and two pumped storage reservoirs. The programme is supported by an additional 60 metaldehyde

FEATURE: CATCHMENT MANAGEMENT

Catchment Advisor Steve Derbyshire with farmer Daniel Wormell and his new precision pelleter, grant funded

by Pesti-wise

samples each week. These are collected from rivers early every morning, and analysed using gas chromatography with mass spectrometric detection (GC-MS), with results available the same day.

Having good levels of stored water is a necessary pre-condition to provide sufficient scope for abstraction management. In September 2015, at the start of the peak metaldehyde usage period, the volume of stored water in both our pumped storage reservoirs was near the long term average.

There were two main metaldehyde peaks on the rivers in our Essex & Suffolk Water operating area in 2015; the first in late September and the second in mid-November. The highest peak recorded during 2015 was 1.53µg/l on the River Stour. Abstraction was actively restricted on all four of the rivers during the autumn period. This required significant operational adjustments, including back-pumping from our reservoirs to maintain supply to two direct river abstraction treatment works, and the use of emergency boreholes to maintain supply to other treatment works. Altogether, river sources were switched off for 58 days to the three direct river treatment works and 33 days pumping were lost to the two reservoirs. Although still significant, these figures for 2015 are actually roughly half of

those for 2014, when the metaldehyde peaks in the rivers were significantly higher and of longer duration.

Outcomes In terms of drinking water quality, 100% of compliance samples taken in the Essex & Suffolk Water operational area during the autumn and winter of 2015 met the 0.1µg/l standard for metaldehyde.

Modelling indicates that abstraction management kept the metaldehyde concentration in each reservoir approximately 0.1µg/l lower than it would otherwise have been. The concentration of metaldehyde in both reservoirs remained below the Drinking Water Standard throughout the autumn.

Whilst abstraction management was a great success for water quality, modelling indicates that around 6200Ml of available water was not abstracted into reservoir storage between September and December 2015. As the following months were wet, this ‘lost’ water was recovered well, with both reservoirs substantially full by mid-April 2016. The higher rate ‘catch-up’ pumping is estimated to have cost around £38,000. The other major cost is the laboratory analysis of the additional water samples.

Conclusions Taking a multi-strand upstream approach is a key part of the way Northumbrian Water Group manages the risks from pesticides to drinking water. Our approach combines a long term commitment to working with farmers, offering innovative voluntary schemes and incentives to encourage behavioural change, and actively managing when water is abstracted during key risk periods. This has helped us to achieve good drinking water quality outcomes in the last three autumns, notably in our Essex & Suffolk Water area, where metaldehyde pressure is significant. While outcomes from both Pesti-wise and abstraction management in 2015/16 were positive, they are in the context of a favourable starting position. We started September 2015 with low metaldehyde concentrations in our two main pumped storage reservoirs and a healthy water resource position. We then experienced significantly lower metaldehyde concentrations in the local rivers, compared to previous years. We view both catchment engagement and abstraction management as valuable tools to help us maintain compliance with drinking water standards for pesticides, now and in the future.

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QUEEN MARY UNIVERSITY OF LONDON TRAINING THE NEXT GENERATION OF CATCHMENT MANAGERS The water environment faces diverse and increasing pressures arising from a combination of factors including climate-driven changes in hydrological extremes, population growth and floodplain development, changes to carbon and nutrient cycles, and the legacy of long-term physical modification of water bodies.

Bringing the field into the laboratory: the River Lab QMUL is unique among London institutions These pressures generate threats to people, property, infrastructure, wildlife and key ecosystem services in river catchments. An integrated approach to catchment management, traversing traditional disciplinary boundaries and recognising the importance of interactions between hydrological, geomorphological, biogeochemical and ecological systems is crucial for the development of sustainable solutions to water resource issues. Despite this, there remains a lack of experts with broad interdisciplinary training. Our degree programme is designed to produce the next generation of specialists in integrated catchment management.

The Integrated Management of Freshwater Environments MSc programme is run by the School of Geography at Queen Mary University of London (QMUL). Our students study river science, policy and management and prepare for a career in the water and environment sector. Students benefit from research-led teaching in one of the UK’s top geography departments (ranked 5th for the quality of research outputs in REF2014) with state-of-the-art laboratory and computing facilities. The River Laboratory, for example, offers unparalleled facilities in London for research into river behaviour. Digital camera equipment and supporting software enables river morphology to be captured in 3D using photogrammetry. Two flumes – a sediment transport demonstration channel and a river simulator – enable scaled experimental modelling of river processes to support the development of sustainable river management and restoration solutions.

A core understanding of freshwater environmental systems and the key policy and legal frameworks that underpin their management is essential for successful catchment management. Our students gain this through classroom teaching by academic staff and external experts from the water industry

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QMUL students undertaking fish and macroinvertebrate surveys on the River Mimram with thr local Environment Agency team.

combined with fieldwork, laboratory analysis, numerical modelling and independent research.

In addition to developing fundamental scientific understanding across geomorphology, hydrology, biogeochemistry and ecology, our students receive hands-on training in key methods relevant to catchment management including river assessment methods, river restoration design, flood estimation and inundation modelling using industry standard software, monitoring of carbon, nutrients and pollutants in aquatic environments, and working with remotely sensed data and Geographic Information Systems (GIS). Fieldwork is a key component of the programme, from our field trip to the highly dynamic, near-natural Fiume Tagliamento in Italy – one of Europe’s last remaining ‘wild’ rivers, to the heavily modified rivers in London and South East England.

Our aim is to produce outstanding scientists capable of developing interdisciplinary solutions to priority water resource and catchment issues. To help achieve this, we work closely with an Advisory Board comprising representatives from government, private and third sector organisations in the water industry to ensure that our programme is up-to-date in meeting key industry needs. Networking and industry experience is built into our programme from the beginning, and students are encouraged to take advantage of the vast opportunities for engaging with seminars, debates and other events across London during their studies. We also work with local Environment Agency teams to provide opportunities for students to gain experience in key operational procedures in catchment monitoring and management. Students have the opportunity to conduct their dissertation research in collaboration with an external partner organisation, producing research that directly addresses key questions in catchment management. This has created, for example, four years research and development

work on the use of wood in river restoration in collaboration with the Environment Agency, which fed into the Thames River Basin Management Plans and led to the development of a UK-Brazil Learning Partnership on River Restoration in 2015 initiated by one of our alumni.

Our graduates have secured jobs across the water and environmental sector in organisations including: Affinity Water, CH2M, Environment Agency, Jacobs, JBA Consulting, Rivers Trusts, Thames Water and environmental consultancies in the USA and Brazil. Increasingly we are seeing demand for our part-time variant from colleagues already in the water sector (water companies, environmental consultancies and the Environment Agency) who require further professional training.

Postgraduate Diploma and Postgraduate Certificate options are also available.

Vinicius Delboni completed the MSc programme in 2015. His thesis was completed in collaboration with the Environment Agency, and used a 1D hydraulic model to explore the hydraulic effects of large wood features installed for habitat improvement on the River Blackwater, Hampshire.

Vinicius then went on to secure a job with the makers of the software he used for his modelling project, CH2M. He says “I was looking for a masters programme where I could develop flood risk management skills and, at the same time, prepare myself for a career in consultancy. QMUL Geography could offer exactly that. The variety of coursework throughout the programme helped me to prepare myself for delivering consultancy style reports to very strict deadlines, as well as providing me with hands on experience using cutting edge industry software, such as ArcGIS and Flood Modeller. I received help and important feedback from my academic supervisor when job hunting and after three months I was able to secure the job I wanted.”

Integrated Management of Freshwater Environments MSc

Looking for a career in the water and environment sector or to develop new skills? Our diverse masters programme brings together our expertise in geomorphology, hydrology, biogeochemistry, environmental modelling and remote sensing to train students in catchment management, river assessment and restoration, water policy, and flood risk management and modelling.

Contact us for more information: School of Geography Queen Mary University of London Mile End Road, London E1 4NS 020 7882 8165 geog-pgadmin@qmul.ac.uk www.qmul.ac.uk/msc-imfe Picture: The Fiume Tagliamento in Italy is one of Europe’s last remaining “wild” rivers and the location for this programme’s field trip.

• Flexible study options: Postgraduate Certificate, Diploma and part-time MSc options for those who want to combine work and study.

• Employability: networking with environmental agencies, water companies and environmental engineering consultancies through guest lectures, events and student research projects maximizes your employability. Alumni employers include: Jacobs, Halcrow Group, JBA Consulting, River Trusts, Thames Water and Environment Agency.

• Funding: postgraduate loans of up to £10,000 and bursaries of up £4,000 available. @QMULGeography youtube.com/QMULGeography

THE SEARCH FOR ‘SPIKES’ – PORTSMOUTH WATER’S CATCHMENT MANAGEMENT PROGRAMME

A Downs and Harbours Clean Water Partnership soil management workshop

Portsmouth Water has been supplying water to Portsmouth and the surrounding area since 1857.

The area supplied by the Company extends through South East Hampshire and West Sussex from the River Meon in the West to the River Arun in the East, encompassing 868 km². (Figure 1) All of the Company’s public water sources are reliant on the chalk aquifer of the South Downs – from the chalk-fed River Itchen, the Havant and Bedhampton Springs, to the numerous abstractions directly from groundwater.

n assessing the current and predicted nitrate concentrations at sources and the likely timescale of reductions that might be achieved through catchment management; and,

However, nitrate concentrations are rising in the raw water at a number of the Company’s groundwater sources. Five sources have already breached the Drinking Water Standard of 50 mg/l. In the short term, risks are being managed by blending the water from high nitrate sources with water from lower nitrate sources. However, through the 2015-2020 Asset Management Plan (AMP 6), Portsmouth Water is delivering a Catchment Management Programme to address potential future failures of the nitrate standard and to protect sources that are used for blending.

n the feasibility of implementing a comprehensive programme of catchment management in AMP 7 and beyond.

The Catchment Management Programme has two strategic components. The first focusses on ‘evidence’, for example: n improving the conceptual understanding of the groundwater catchments, sources and pathways of nitrate;

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The second focuses on ‘on the ground action’ through the Downs and Harbours Clean Water Partnership (www.cleanwaterpartnership.co.uk).

In 2008 Portsmouth Water together with the Environment Agency and Natural England formed the partnership to proactively tackle diffuse pollution affecting the quality of groundwater, surface and coastal waters in West Sussex and East Hampshire. The partnership works directly with farmers and landowners to reduce the impact of their activities on the water environment. The emphasis is on careful land management and fine tuning agricultural practices to reduce the amount of soil, fertiliser (including nitrates) and pesticides lost from the land into the water environment.

Farmers and landowners are offered free and confidential advice, including management plans for fertilisers and soil as well as workshops, one to one consultations and farm demonstrations of best management practices. This partnership will continue throughout AMP 6.

Evidence The evidence component of the programme follows a ‘top-down approach’ starting at the catchment scale and honing in on high risk areas at the field scale. The first two key pieces of research focus on 1) nitrate source apportionment and trend modelling, and 2) remote sensing across Portsmouth Water’s groundwater source catchments.

The nitrate source apportionment and trend modelling was undertaken by Amec Foster Wheeler. This was based on national and catchment-specific data (for example through the work of the Downs and Harbours Clean Water Partnership) where it was available. Figure 3 provides an example output of the nitrate source apportionment modelling for the Eastergate

FEATURE: CATCHMENT MANAGEMENT

Figure 1. Portsmouth Water’s area of supply

Figure 3. Nitrate input to groundwater at Eastergate

Figure 4. Prediction of nitrate concentrations for Eastergate.

Figure 5. Example Rezatec output for a section of the Lovedean catchment

source catchment. This shows the dominant sources of nitrate entering groundwater to be arable crops, of which wheat forms the largest proportion, and improved grassland.

Figure 4 provides an example output of the nitrate trend modelling for the Eastergate source catchment. The trend model generally provides a good fit to observed nitrate concentration.

Assuming current nitrate leaching rates continue (the ‘baseline scenario’), the model predicts that the underlying trend in nitrate will slowly rise before levelling off by about 2030.

However, the modelling identifies breaches of the Drinking Water Standard of 50 mg/l associated with seasonal ‘spikes’. These spikes are caused by rapid recharge into the aquifer, for example from intense rainfall events, and elevations in the water table ‘picking up’ and mobilising stored nitrate.

These results have helped to define the objectives of Portsmouth Water’s Catchment Management Programme. The focus is on managing these spikes by targeting interventions around the ‘hot spots’ of pollution risk in the groundwater source catchments and the numerous karstic features/ swallow holes in the chalk that provide this rapid recharge into the aquifer.

To identify these hot spots across the area of supply, Rezatec was commissioned to undertake

a ‘proof of concept’ investigation using remote sensing for two groundwater source catchments – Lovedean and Northbrook.

The remote sensing analysis suite included lidar to identify overland flow paths and associated karstic features that provide the rapid recharge into the aquifer. This, together with the mapping of agricultural land use, provided an indication on the amount of nutrients and pesticides applied to the land and the potential impact on pollution.

Figure 5 provides an example output for a section of the Lovedean source catchment. This identifies previously unknown karstic features (labelled as dolines) and their corresponding catchment areas and drainage channels, potentially providing a ‘fast route’ for pollution to the groundwater source.

This information has proved to be an extremely effective visual aid for the Downs and Harbours Clean Water Partnership in communicating the risks, issues and requirement for catchment management across Portsmouth Water’s area of supply with farmers and landowners.

Conclusion The nitrate source apportionment and trend modelling, and the remote sensing investigations, are two key pieces of evidence driving the evolution of Portsmouth Water’s Catchment Management Programme in AMP 6. For instance, the outputs are informing the development of field level investigations further increasing the understanding of the sources and pathways of nitrate/diffuse pollution to the groundwater abstractions.

The outputs are also influencing the ‘on the ground action’ provided through the Downs and Harbours Clean Water Partnership by identifying new target areas specific to the safeguarding of groundwater quality for public water supplies.

They are also informing the development of new/ additional catchment interventions, thereby bolstering the package on offer from the partnership to reduce the nitrate spikes.

Dr Chris Manning Catchment Management Manager

Following the success of the ‘proof of concept’ investigation, Rezatec has since been commissioned to undertake the analysis for each of Portsmouth Water’s groundwater source catchment areas.

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MOTT MACDONALD

WHAT’S UPSTREAM? CATCHMENT MANAGEMENT IN ACTION Dr Frances Elwell, Catchment Management Specialist at Mott MacDonald, explains why catchment management is so important.

What is catchment management?

Catchment management takes a holistic view of water quantity, both availability and flood risk, water quality, and water demands across a whole catchment and seeks to manage these together, sustainably. The approach brings together multi-sector water users and interest groups (stakeholders), considers environmental needs, and seeks to integrate solutions across a catchment.

Catchment management is in action across the UK. It is integral to the delivery of River Basin Management Plans. It is being employed by Catchment Partnerships in their Catchment Based Approach projects, and by water companies seeking to protect their sources.

While water companies have a focus on source protection, they frequently engage with Catchment Partnerships to deliver a more integrated, multi-sector approach to water resources management at a catchment scale.

Stakeholders in this multi-sector approach include landowners, farmers, agronomists, wildlife trusts, environmental interest groups and regulators.

Why manage a catchment?

Managing water resources by taking an integrated view of a catchment allows the evaluation and balance of competing demands and conflicting influences on the water resource. By considering all these demands and influences holistically we can work towards greater resilience of our water resources and environment to the future challenges of population growth and climate change.

Managing water quality in-catchment can reduce the cost of complying with legislation, reducing the requirement for water treatment, and is supported by the UK’s current regulatory framework: the Water Framework Directive’s Article 7 requires protection of drinking water sources, so that additional treatment is not required, and the Drinking Water Directive specifies water quality standards at the tap rather than the treatment required.

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Catchment management is proving particularly important in the management of metaldehyde, the most commonly used active ingredient in slug pellets, for which there is no cost effective treatment method. Water companies are working with farmers to reduce metaldehyde applications, thereby protecting the abstraction.

Where’s the evidence?

Research projects are providing data to allow a better understanding of the efficacy of catchment management measures. For example, Defra’s Demonstration Test Catchments project is designed to provide evidence relating to control measures for diffuse pollution from agriculture. Water companies are also monitoring the quality of raw water, and in some cases in-catchment monitoring, providing quantitative evidence of the impacts of catchment management. However, it can be difficult to separate the impacts of catchment management from other influences (such as rainfall) on the raw water quality. Perhaps the most notable example of this is the work that went into encouraging better practice of metaldehyde use following the elevated concentrations of metaldehyde across the UK in the autumn of 2008.

In the following years, metaldehyde concentrations were much reduced, and water companies breathed a collective sigh of relief. Then came 2012 - a very wet year with heavy slug pressure – and recorded metaldehyde concentrations in raw water were elevated once again.

More recently some water companies are subsidising farmers to use alternative products to metaldehyde in particularly sensitive catchments, e.g. Anglian Water’s “slug it out” campaign. Monitoring results in these areas is providing evidence of the costs and benefits of these initiatives.

But before commencing a catchment management initiative, how do you assemble evidence of the cost-benefit for a business plan? This is particularly relevant where the response time of the source water quality to the catchment intervention is highly uncertain. Mott MacDonald has assisted water companies with predicting nitrate trends

at groundwater sources under the influence of catchment management interventions. Response times have varied considerably between sources, from five years to more than 50 years. This detailed modelling to determine where investment should be most effectively focused has provided robust information to support decision making and investment planning.

A risk mapping approach can also be used to target investment in catchment management.

For example, the UKWIR pesticide risk mapping project resulted in detailed risk maps based on the risk of a pesticide applied to any location entering a watercourse. However, a more specific assessment of the risk from pesticide application to an in-stream abstraction would incorporate the impacts of dilution, accumulation and degradation of the pesticide.

Planning for resilience At Mott MacDonald we are supporting water companies with catchment characterisations, predictive modelling and stakeholder engagement, feeding directly into their catchment advisors’ immediate work in the catchment and into 2020 business plans. Using our experience of hydrology, hydrogeology and catchment science, we are working with water companies to identify the best way forward for resilient water supplies while providing environmental benefits and supporting sustainable agriculture.

We are also working on catchment management options for wider aspects of security of supply.

Increasing infiltration, for example, through the use of RSuDS or land use change, can lead to increased aquifer recharge and therefore greater availability of resource, with added potential benefits of reducing flood risk. www.mottmac.com/water Dr Frances Elwell D +44 (0)1223 463695 frances.elwell@mottmac.com

STEVE VICK

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The Rapid Cracker will be unveiled on Steve Vick’s stand in the outdoor arena (Number 55) at No Dig International in September along with the company’s expanding range of pipe handling equipment.

The major difference between the Rapid Cracker and other mechanised crackers on the market

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Border Archaeology, founded in 1997, has worked in partnership with the Water Industry to build our reputation as a trusted supplier of heritage services with a strong tradition of community involvement & environmental stewardship, all this starting way back at the beginning of AMP 3 and continuing to the present day.

We believe our proven commitment to constructive dialogue, cost control and consumer engagement remains key to meeting the needs of the sector in its drive to develop innovative solutions to 21st -century challenges. To date, over 4400 members of the general public have attended our Open Events which champion our clients’ commitment to archaeology within their area.

As the industry moves towards an outcomes driven culture within a framework of Total Expenditure (Totex) and beyond, we believe our unrivalled combination of experience & expertise underpins the Company’s continued

“Our contracting and consulting service encapsulates the ‘Border ethos’: sensible professional advice ... timely resolution”

provision of appropriate archaeological & heritage mitigation that meets the industry’s statutory obligations.

Our contracting and consulting service encapsulates the ‘Border ethos’: sensible professional advice provided at project inception to ensure timely resolution of archaeological issues and the amelioration of cost.

Heritage in whatever form is important to all of us engaged with the Water industry - Border provides a realistic context in which to place it.

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We have extensive experience in water, building long-term relationships throughout AMP 3, 4, 5 and currently 6 bristol | leeds | leominster | london | milton keynes | newport | winchester

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GA Valves are manufacturers and distributors of valves to the water & sewage industries. Including gates, checks, air valves & miscellaneous valves.

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Products such as aluminium sulphate have been joined by new products derived from the synthesis of highly cationic inorganic polymers to satisfy today’s demand for higher quality water and to meet tighter discharge consent limits. Feralco can provide specialist advice and technical support to ensure the most cost effective methods of treatment are employed.

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Kingsbridge Insurance Brokers 9 Miller Court, Tewkesbury Gloucestershire, GL20 8DN Email: john.collins@kibl.co.uk Telephone: 01242 808 745 Web: www.kibl.co.uk

EK Business Centre, 14 Stroud Road, East Kilbride, Glasgow G75 0YA T: 01355 246235 E: info@mccraetraining.co.uk www.mccraetraining.co.uk

T: +44 (0) 151 802 2910 F: +44 (0) 151 802 2999 M: +44 (0) 7760 174973

Feralco is a leading manufacturer of high performance water treatment and process chemicals. Our product range includes both traditional inorganic coagulants and innovative products to ensure optimum treatment efficiency. Applications include the treatment of drinking water, process water, sewage and industrial effluents and paper processing.

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We have extensive experience and expertise within the design of water network distribution & water network trunk mains. From initial overview through to detail civil design, while also equipped to provide planning, project management and construction support services.

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We would welcome the opportunity to visit you for an initial consultation to discuss your aims and needs. We would endeavour to incorporate our design and engineering solutions to match your business requirements.

Odour Control in Wastewater

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To advertise your company or to find out how the Institute of Water Journal can help you Contact David Lancaster on 0845 887 3829 or david.lancaster@distinctivegroup.co.uk

IN THIS ISSUE DRILLING AND TAPPING THE WATER FRAMEWORK DIRECTIVE RETAIL SEPARATION SUPPLY CHAIN VIEWS ON AMP CYCLE

INSTITUTE OF WATER JOURNAL

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EASTERNAREANEWS

EASTERN AREA VENTURE INTO UNCHARTERED TERRITORY WITH A TECHNICAL VISIT TO R2M

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Open collaboration requires a truly integrated approach - one that’s inclusive, relevant, stimulating and enables real knowledge sharing whilst being free from competition, bias or favorability. As an institute, we’re starting to see the magnitude of benefits that working together with our neighbouring areas can deliver to both Institute of Water members and other industry professionals.

1. Nova Siria End Restraint Fittings

On the 12th July, we pushed the boundaries of an Eastern area event further than ever, visiting R2M’s Accrington facility to get a hands-on look at their new innovations in pipeline technology. R2M had already presented their encapsulation collars at our innovation dragon’s den event back in January, where they were placed in the top three. This was just a glimpse of what could be expected on our visit. The 360 mile round trip meant a long day for all those travelling from the South; none more than Viji (a civil engineering student in South London) who was up at 3:30am to join us! (Now that’s commitment)

n Can be manufactured as virtually any fitting

n 30mm tolerance for ease of fit on any pipe type n 16 bar standard water pressure on pipes up to 1000mm n (25 bar available) n No special equipment to fit, just a torque wrench n Simplifies jointing pipes of different materials resulting in huge savings.

2. Molecor Molecular PVC (MoPVC) Pipe n 75% Lighter than Ductile Iron n 50% lighter than Polyethylene n Greater hydraulic capacity

I hope that she enjoyed the event as much as the rest of us. Amongst those who attended on the day were representatives from Anglian Water, Northumbrian Water, United Utilities and Network Rail, covering three Institute of Water areas (south east, east and north).

n Simple push fit

The water companies’ AMP 6 programmes are all about innovation, looking at new products and methods to drive down costs, improve SIM scores, improve customer satisfaction, work more efficiently and reduce H& S risks – with a few service ODIs for good measure. Carl (Managing Director) and Will (UK Sales Manager) provided us with an overview of how R2M have responded to these challenges, offering three key products that tick all the boxes.

n 30mm tolerance

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n Proven savings on installed costs.

3. Nova Siria Duofits n Repair & Encapsulation Fittings n Easy fit n Universal n Fix leaking collars, couplings, flanges without the need for drain down and shut off n Doesn’t require specialist contractors for installation – Huge savings through own staff involvement.

To show us just how simple these units are to fit, I was entrusted with a spanner and wrench and set to work on two encapsulation collars and leaking demonstration rigs (a rare opportunity for an office bod!). Amazingly we managed to stop the leak in just 40 minutes with minimal fuss and without getting wet. A fantastic example of a technically engaging event with benefits and knowledge relevant to the whole industry.

R2M are now working with almost all of the water companies in some capacity, providing significant savings and reducing H&S issues. If you like pipes then they’re certainly a company for you.

SOUTHWESTAREANEWS

The Annual Dr Allen Bolton Golf Tournament The Annual Dr Allen Bolton Golf Tournament took place on a calm and sunny day in the glorious setting of the Marlborough Downs. Hosted this year by the South West Area it attracted some of the finest golfers the Institute of Water has to offer, who graced the fairways, greens and bunkers of the Marlborough Golf Club.

By Mark Hitchmough, Cognica An early start saw a highly competitive Texas Scramble with the winning margin for Martyn Brown’s team a mere 0.05 of a point. After a quick lunch we were back on the course for the main event. With two ex champions in the field it was always likely to be a close affair and with the top four separated by only 2 Stableford points that’s exactly how it turned out. The winner had to be decided by count back after a 36 point tie.

So congratulations to Ed Attree, on his first appearance at the event, and huge commiserations to Kevin Brook from Primayer who pushed him all the way. Bryan Garrett was an excellent third and on any other day Paul Vincent’s 34 points would have been at least good enough for a medal.

The event ended with a fantastic dinner and prize giving in the Marlborough Clubhouse.

A huge thank you to all who played and made such a great day of it. Even the disappointment of finishing out of the prizes in 5th place was eased by being one point ahead of defending champion and ex National Chair Ian Limb.

Ian Limb (31 points) with Ed Attree and Kevin Brook

"A huge thank you to our sponsors; Primayer, COGNICA and Portsmouth Water for making the prizes worth winning.”

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IoW Family Day

IS THERE SOME PERSONAL DEVELOPMENT YOU REALLY WANT?

Paul Walker and son Joshua

The IoW family days are something I look forward to booking on to with my family. They are always well organised, exceptional value for money and most of all fun! This year’s trip to Yorkshire Wildlife Park was no exception with lions and meerkats to see.

Paul Walker, Northern Area member It was an early start on the morning of 2nd July, the alarm clock was set and we as a family were looking forward to spending time together. On arriving at the Wildlife Park we received our access passes from the IoW representatives and welcome refreshments. Once we had a brief catch-up with the wider IoW family it was time to see the wildlife; well that’s what I thought but if you pass a soft play area with a five year old there is no bypassing it. So it was shoes off and time for us all to have a go! Once we were finally exhausted we blackmailed Joshua out of the play area with an ice cream. It was then on to the Lions which were magnificent to look at and hear with their booming roars. It was also great to read the information at the enclosure that the pride had been rescued from a Romanian Zoo where they had faced an uncertain future due to lack of funding. Thanks to public donations to enable the rescue they now enjoy the parks nine acre reserve. Lunch was provided and again we had an opportunity to catch-up with other IoW members from Yorkshire Water and external contractors. We had little time for rest as Joshua had spotted the 20ft vertical slide in the Zoom Barn so we all had a go and enjoyed it immensely; ok I confess we had several turns. After several animal encounters from those of the African plains to polar bears it was time to travel home having made some great memories, and with one of us sleeping on the way home through pure enjoyment. Thank you to the Institute from everyone that attended and making being part of the water industry a family affair.

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At the Northern Area Committee, we work hard to support members in the area and have been looking at ways in which we can provide members with a further benefit of their Institute of Water membership.

We are really keen to support members with an opportunity to gain some personal development in an area not specifically related to their current role. This could be as simple as buying some text books, online course fees, having a coaching session etc. We are pleased to announce that we are making up to £500 available to contribute towards your personal development. Please note that this is available to Northern Area members only. To apply to be considered for a chance to receive this grant, tell us in no more than 500 words; n What your current job role is and how you are focusing on personal development n What personal development activity or tool you would be interested in n What you hope to achieve by receiving the grant Please send your application to: Maureen.burn@nwl.co.uk by 21 October 2016.

We plan to announce the lucky member(s) on 11 November 2016. The successful applicant will work with the Northern Area Committee during their personal development journey and will be involved in sharing their experience and the benefits of this scheme.

At the Northern Area Committee, we work hard to support members in the area and have been looking at ways in which we can provide members with further benefit of their Institute of Water membership.

We are really keen to support members with an opportunity to gain some personal development in an area not specifically related to their current role. This could be as simple as buying some text books, online course fees, having a coaching session etc.

We are pleased to announce that we have secured a grant of up to £500 to contribute towards your personal development. Please note that this is available to Northern Area members only.

To apply to be considered for a chance to receive this grant, tell us in no more than 500 words; n What your current job role is and how you are focusing on personal development n What personal development activity or tool you would be interested in n What you hope to achieve by receiving the grant Please send your application to Maureen. burn@nwl.co.uk by 21 October 2016. We plan to announce the lucky member on 11 November 2016.

The successful applicant will work with the Northern Area Committee during their personal development journey and will be involved in sharing their experience and the benefits of this scheme.

NORTHERNAREANEWS

LIVERPOOL WASTEWATER TREATMENT WORKS Merseyside Technical visit, 28 July 2016 Dee Johnson, General Management Graduate, United Utilities The event was a great opportunity to visit Liverpool Wastewater Treatment Works, which has recently undergone expansion to further improve the quality of the River Mersey.

The expansion was part of a £200 million project; one of United Utilities’ biggest capital programmes in recent years. The new Sequencing Batch Reactor (SBR), which consists of 16 basins capable of treating 4,400 litres of water each second, was a big part of the investment scheme.

Due to the very limited footprint on site, the SBR was constructed in an adjacent dock, which posed significant contruction challenges. From the top of the SBR, the walls and entrance of the dock which the SBR now occupies can still be seen, behind which is a working dock and views of the River Mersey beyond.

The day provided delegates with the opportunity to learn more about the history of the works and how developments on site have contributed to an improved water front for the city of Liverpool; which brings both environmental and economic benefits. A guided tour of the SBR was hosted by

View fromm the top of the SBR Ian Fullalove, United Utilities’ Project Engineer, to showcase the new process in action and bring to life some of the construction challenges which had been overcome.

A member who attended the event said “The whole visit was fascinating from start to finish.

The protection of the dock’s heritage, while installing a complex process, was quite a challenge and seeing the SBR system sitting

within the still-present dock walls gave the whole project perspective. The time and knowledge shared by the United Utilities’ people who were part of the project made it relevant and educational.

As a member of the Scottish Area, I can grudgingly admit that this was an excellent visit, and the bar has been set high for future visits in the other areas. A great day all round.”

NATIONAL CONFERENCE SEES SOME NEW FACES New Institute of Water Northern Area members, Alan Thom, Kell Scott and Stuart Chatto attended the national conference for the first time earlier this year and wanted to share some of their experiences.

They really valued the conference as an opportunity to share ideas, meet like-minded people from other areas of the country and industry and discuss a wide range of subjects.

Kell Scott, Technical Support Advisor at Northumbrian Water said “Until attending the conference, I didn’t realise how water companies try to work together and share new ideas for similar problems. I thoroughly enjoyed the social aspect of the event and even though I am a new member I always felt welcome and encouraged to get involved. I’ve made friends from other water companies which can only help support in building networks which will help me in my role and in the long term help Northumbrian Water.”

“It was also a good experience viewing the exhibits towards the end of the conference and seeing if there were any new advances in technology which could benefit my company. The Sewerbatt caught my eye and I couldn’t wait to get back to work to highlight this new piece of technology to the relevant people to see if we could carry out some trials. I’d probably never have known about this if I hadn’t attended the conference.”

Stuart Chatto, Technical Support Advisor at Northumbrian Water found the conference really

welcoming and gave him the opportunity to have some really interesting conversations. He said “It’s easy to sit in our own company bubble and forget other water companies are tackling the same problems we are, some might be doing a better job and its important we learn what they are doing differently.”

“For me the most interesting speaker was Louise Beardmore, Customer Service Director at United Utilities. She was responsible managing the response and ongoing situation for 300,000 properties in Lancashire following cryptosporidium outbreak. The unexpected challenges she faced were vast and some could never have been predicted. She was brutally honest, passionate and had the conference audience gripped and fascinated. It made me wonder whether Northumbrian Water be able to handle a crisis like this.”

Alan Thom, Maintenance Technician at Northumbrian Water said that “the conference was a great opportunity to get up close to senior leaders from all parts of the water sector and gave an insight to the challenges the industry faces in the coming years. Innovation and collaboration were two themes running throughout the

Stuart Chatto and Kell Scott conference and it was great to see so many creative ideas from suppliers in our sector. It was great to see so many people with such enthusiasm and passion for the industry and it has given me a renewed drive to look forward to the challenges ahead and embracing the changes we may face.”

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Camlough dam refurbishment In the NI Water Heritage Centre, Belfast, Mark Richardson from Northern Ireland Water and Gareth Briggs from Aecom delivered an engaging presentation on the refurbishment of Camlough Dam, South Armagh.

Mark and Gareth provided some detail on NI Water’s assets including the numbers and structures of operational dams and where Camlough Dam fits within the overall scheme of these.

Some history was provided on Camlough Dam which had been constructed in the 1870’s to supply a local mill. Designed by Richard Hassard as an embankment structure it has a retained volume of 3,705,000,000 litres and supplies water to the Newry area. Ownership of the dam itself was in question which had helped lead to its decline.

In February 2010 the local rivers authority – Rivers Agency – raised concerns about the condition of the dam and requested it be cleared of vegetation to facilitate inspections to be undertaken. These inspections were subsequently undertaken by Atkins, as appointed by NI Water.

The options were to reconstruct, abandon or rehabilitate the dam. It was decided that rehabilitation was the preferred approach and costs were now estimated at £2.5m. This rehabilitation entailed:

Inspections and reports took approximately two years, raising a number of safety concerns and recommending further, more detailed surveys with refurbishment costs circa £3.4m.

n Provision of a crest wall to provide freeboard;

We were given detailed descriptions of the refurbishment design including hydraulic modelling data and updates on the current status of the works – the dam is scheduled for completion two weeks before the local Camlough International Triathlon.

n Reinstatement of the embankment core;

Finally some of the important lessons learned are:

n Reinstatement of the upstream and downstream embankments;

n The significant dangers of privately owned, poorly maintained dams;

n Provision of a valve tower to create upstream control on valves and pipework.

n The importance of the positive role and approach from local authorities including DRD, Northern Ireland Water and Newry Mourne and Down District Council;

Detailed surveys were commissioned by NI Water and the local council. These required extensive vegetative clearance works which began in July 2013.

November 2013 saw the Section 10 Survey Inspection & Report published, detailing serious hydraulic, geotechnical and control deficiencies with nine safety issues identified.

Those issues included settlement, movement and seepage within the main dam embankment and also no control arrangements for the outlet pipes – the draw-off tower had collapsed some 30 years previous.

n Widening and deepening of spillway;

Works commenced, however, November 2014 saw 200% of the average monthly rainfall fall in just 14 days. High capacity pumps had to be installed to cope with such an event. A sandbag crest wall and an auxiliary spill weir were formed to reduce the overtopping risk. Pumping successfully dropped the water level to 2m below the spillway level with a revised target of 2.5m.

This event also meant that development of offsite and on-site Emergency plans with Newry and

Mourne District Council were necessitated and completed.

n The requirement for the legislative controls on dams in Northern Ireland; n The difficulties that ‘orphaned’ reservoirs may create.

A lively question and answer session finished this well attended event.

NETWORKING OPPORTUNITIES AT WELSH VISIT “Northern Ireland Area are looking forward to Welsh Water Area’s visit in October where their trip will include attendance at our Autumn Seminar - "Are You Being Served? - Best Practices For The Best Customer Service". See IoW website for details and be sure to register soon to take full advantage of networking opportunities and continue with your professional development.”

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NORTHERNIRELANDNEWS

Chief Executive thanks NI Water staff with attendance at Institute of Water National Conference in Birmingham. Left to Right â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Bill Gowdy (IoW NI Area President), Mark Mitchell, Lilian Parkes, Sara Venning (NI Water Chief Executive), Stephanie McCullagh, Matthew Lundy (IoW NI Area Rising Star)

Visit to Diageo... Institute of Water members enjoyed a tour of the Diageo site at Mallusk where the famous Baileys Irish Cream is made and bottled.

A presentation on the site along with the end-to-end process proved very interesting along with the overview tour. The afternoon was finished by some members enjoying an early dinner in Glengormely.

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GLAS CYMRU – HOW IT ALL BEGAN An Institute of Water Welsh Area Event presented by Chris Jones, Welsh Water’s Chief Executive and introduced by Steve Wilson, Welsh Water’s Managing Director of Wastewater Services.

By Cigolene Nguyen, Welsh Water Chris Jones, Welsh Water’s Chief Executive, took the 50 plus assembly of Institute of Water members and Welsh Water colleagues down memory lane to the years where he and Nigel Annett, co-founder and former Chief Executive of Glas Cymru, had a vision for a not for profit model of a water company.

The Journey began in the late 1990s, when Wales’ water industry was owned by a very diverse multi-utility business. Chris Jones and Nigel Annett worked out that the likely reduction in the regulated rate of return would not maintain the returns to shareholders. At the 1999 Price Review, it became clear that the company could not sustain the returns and the shares’ value plummeted.

Chris and Nigel focused their vision, boiling it down to a few points: n The company which would become Welsh Water is the provider of an essential public service, and the not-for-profit model would give it strong legitimacy in the eyes of its customers. n It is a long term industry and requires steady investment and rates of return – which would be attractive to low-risk investors

n It is made up of people who are motivated to provide important services of water and sanitation.

Chris went on to explain his thinking that shareholders’ money is expensive and short term to fund such a business. This is where the idea of taking them out of the equation came about.

Chris Jones and Nigel Annett went on to fund a company limited by guarantee with no external right of profits and no owner. This company was good for customers as it focused on them. It enabled better trust as the money made would not go to shareholders and it is motivational for employees and partners as it enables the business to think long-term service instead of short-terms return.

The company became available for sale by auction (electricity and water branch) and Western Power won the bid against Nomura bank. Western Power then put Welsh Water up for sale.

Once the idea was fully formed and a plan designed, Chris and Nigel had to convince people that it was the right model. At the time, the Westminster Government did not support the model as they were dubious about a business without shareholders. The new Welsh Assembly was more bought into the idea. Chris and Nigel

then embarked on a roadshow to 85 potential investors with a strong business model. Out of the 85, 83 went on to support the model and Glas Cymru was able to raise the £1.9 billion needed as guarantee. The press did not always cover the facts of the sale and OFWAT did not think it was their place to decide on who should gain Welsh Water. The sale was then made and in 2001, Glas Cymru won the bid, with a company debt geared at 93%.

Glas Cymru/Welsh Water is this year celebrating its 15th anniversary, which is the longest ownership model of Welsh Water. The company has been a real success, with growing ambition and opportunities to provide a better service to its customers and the environment. It is now at 57% debt funded; which is a great result.

Chris concluded with a Question & Answer session, where he gave us the secret of this success: a small, flexible, motivated team which could take strategic decisions fast, supported by a strong business plan presenting sensible financial options with a focus on customers and long term sustainability.

The Institute of Water Welsh Area would like to thank Chris for such an interesting and informative event.

BLACK MOUNTAINS ECOSYSTEMS RESTORATION Sian Kear, Programme Co-ordinator UKWIR. Earlier this year, Dusi Thomas, Environmental Advisor Dwr Cymru Welsh Water and Jonathan Saville, Conservation Officer, Natural Resources Wales jointly gave a comprehensive overview of the work undertaken as part of the Black Mountains Ecosystems Restoration Programme.

The Programme received significant funding from the Welsh Government's Nature Fund and saw Dwr Cymru, Natural Resources Wales (NRW), the Brecon Beacons National Park Authority (BBNPA) and local landowners / managers working collaboratively to restore the habitats and biodiversity of the Black Mountains, southeast Wales.

Work already undertaken has included the habitat restoration project at Grwyne Fawr reservoir, construction of a permanent footpath to prevent soil erosion and the blocking of several erosion gullies. It is hoped that this will aid the recovery of the native blanket bogs and in turn improve water quality in the local rivers and reservoir, increase water & carbon storage

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Nicole Jenkins, Dusi Thomas (Speaker), Thomaz Andrade, Julia Haslett, Kelly Rowe, Justin Doran and improve habitats for the many breeding bird species.

Anyone interested in furthering the positive work being undertaken is invited to join in with some on-site volunteering work during September, managed by the BBNPA. Work

will include basic path maintenance and peat re-profiling work. If you are interested, please get in touch with Dusi Thomas; Dusitaporn. thomas@dwrcymru.com. The Welsh Area would like to thank Dusi for organising this interesting event.

WELSHAREANEWS

Service excellence lunch time learn Service Excellence was introduced into Retail Services in 2015 on a rolling programme, starting in the billing contact centre, with a plan to implement across all of the Retail business.

Presented by: Lee Highgate, Complaints team manager and Julia Cherrett, MD – Welsh Water Retail Services

n Problems were rarely fully solved with workarounds continually being put in place to save time

Service Excellence looks at what managers and their teams do, how they do it, and the tools they use. It encourages behavioural change so that performance improves, creating capability ‘in the line’ to continuously improve the organisation.

n Staff were not clear on their daily priorities and where they should be focusing their efforts leading to a lack of engagement

It's not a ‘one size fits all’ program, but looks at understanding problems teams face and helps them find solutions for themselves. Customer feedback is also useds to help form decisions that focus on getting things right first time.

The Lunch Time Learn held in May proved to be very useful for people who manage people.

Short films were used, made by the contact centre teams, clearly demonstrating how Service Excellence is positivle driving performance. They were happy to share how it’s helping them, for example: n Team leaders were focused on ‘doing the doing’ and fighting fires and not enough on coaching, mentoring & developing their people

n Peaks and troughs in demand lead to some individuals and teams being busier than others and teams being resourced ‘just in case’ n Executives were frustrated by a lack of delivery against performance targets and the impact of key initiatives n Everyone had their own way of doing things and limited standardisation lead to variable levels of customer service

n Being encouraged to raise problems and work together to resolve them. n Having a clear and effective communication channel across all areas of the business. n Having a voice! n Endeavouring to get things right first time, but if we fail, capturing those failures, take corrective action and learn. n Celebrating success The event was well attended and became intractive as a ‘live’ Service Excellence was run.

There was a lot of interest in the key elements and many questions of how this model wuld be useful in other teams and/or organisations. Some attendees have since followed up with a visit to Retail Services to find out more.

Service Excellence helps meet customer promises, and colleagues pledge to work together to make things better for everyone by: n Being empowered to collaborate and coach one another to drive performance and share best practice.

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A PROVOCATIVE TOPIC FOR THE DEVIL’S ADVOCATE DEBATE: LET’S LEGALISE THE TRADE OF WILDLIFE – IT’S LOW CARBON AND ECONOMIC? “400,000 newts and more eels than we’ve seen in 20 years-and yet the construction and utility industries are still fined and delayed in the name of “protected species” said Clare Halleybone.

“Ivory, a valuable, commodity. Use it! Its natural and its low carbon. Why burn it?” said Ian Barker and Piers Clark stated; “If you care about wildlife, legalise, not penalise!”

By Mandhy Senewiratne These were the conclusions of Piers, Clare and Ian who energetically personified “environmental philistines” arguing convincingly in support of the motion that we should “Legalise the Trade of Wildlife – It’s Low Carbon & Economic at the Institute of Water’s South East Area’s Annual Devil’s Advocate Debating event, to mark United Nations World Environment Day 2016.

The debate commenced with Piers’ idealistic world of wild stag do’s with groups being flown about in helicopters hunting stags or other wild animals followed by a barbeque of freshly hunted spoils.

He argued that this is a return to being hunter gatherers and living a more natural life rather than consuming food laden with antibiotics and hormones.

From ideals to economics, Clare then provided the harsh realities of eel conservation. “By Defra’s calculations, implementing and retrofitting eel screens will have cost the water and electricity industry almost £100m by 2030. Not to mention endless tree and newt surveys and bee hotels.

We need to stop protecting species and protect our industries and jobs from being decimated by protected species.”

Ian and his sidekick Pongo – an endearing monkey hand puppet won the audience over saying that we presume what is best for wildlife and biodiversity. Pongo, speaking on behalf of monkeys, said many would be happy if we cut down the jungles and relocated wildlife to safe captivity in the city, where they could go to a jungle gym and secretly study humans.

The audience were delighted with the presentation of these viewpoints and seemed in complete agreement. The exception was a late arriving delegate, Jolyon Latrobe Bateman, who was audibly shocked at the callous attitudes of the speakers.

He had missed the opening of the debate where organiser and curator Mandhy Senewiratne (Lead Sustainability Advisor eight2O, MWH) explained; “This is a Devil’s Advocate role play event. Our debaters will entertain you today in the persona of either a philistine or hippie hence their opinions are unlikely to be their true beliefs. Their objective is to

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DEBATE MOTION “Legalise the trade of wildlife - It's low carbon & economic”

JUDGE JACQUIE Supporting the Motion

Opposing the Motion

i.e we should Legalise Trafficking!

i.e we should Say No To Trafficking!

Jolyn Latrobe Bateman

4th Speaker

Lisa White

Ian Barker

3rd Speaker

Andrea Fitzmaurice

Clare Hallybone

2nd Speaker

Luke Stanbridge

Piers Clark

1st Speaker

Rachel Dewhurst

win your support and sway your opinion using any means necessary. Enjoy the show.”

The debate loosely followed the rules set by Debatemate GDP (as featured on TVs Kings and Queens and 2016 SE Area Weekend School*) at the discretion of Judge Jacquie Christodoulides (Client Service Manager, MWH) who further awarded points for humour, flattery and pure dogged determination. Some of the highlights included: Piers gleefully recounting past failures of attempts to ban our natural instincts such as prohibition. “We want to preserve species for future generations, which is why we want to construct a market for species to be protected during hunting, observing and farming. Why hide our true hunter/gatherer nature?” he quipped.

“What you will hear from the other side is misguided emotional turmoil.”

Rachel, as barefooted ‘hippie’ matriarch, retaliated incredulously “Misguided?! We need green lands to grow emotionally and farmed animals aren’t natural foods! My grubby daughters wouldn’t be the same if they couldn’t cuddle a tree. It’s the difference between Sea World Orlando - an artificial pond vs Maldives and free swimming turtles.”

Claire rebutted that for millions of people who live in built up areas in the USA, Sea World and zoos were more economic than fancy Maldivian escapes. “Economics not emotions should rule us.” she warned. “The illegal wildlife trade is worth $160 billion. If it were legal, imagine the boost to the economy through tax. And why should the construction industry pay so much?

Everyone should pay through the fees they pay to trade and hunt wildlife.”

Luke promoted the ‘hippie’ standpoint that everyone should protect and spend time with nature.

“We support eco-tourism, which is not the same as hunting or trading stags.” He warned that whilst eco-tourism creates wealth, legalising the trade of for example rhino horns, would flood the market, reduce exclusivity, reduce demand, and ultimately there will be a lot of rogue rhinos running about.

Ian disgruntled by “the wooly minded, funny hat wearing barefoot folks” retorted that Eco Tourism is a myth - like the hippie concept of environmentalism and enjoying nature as nature intended; “If nine billion people decided to become eco-tourists, the influx of visitors would decimate wildlife environments and the local economy would not cope. The Maldives? Now sinking due to all those long haul flights to the tropics!”

SOUTHEASTAREANEWS

Andrea speculated at the impact of every stag party hunting in a helicopter. “It might be great for the local economy in the short term, but it’s not sustainable and will quickly become an elitist sport. Countries with most majestic wildlife tend to be the most corrupt. I think legalisation would lead to destabilisation so Eco-tourism is a better route. It brings in £600b, costs £10b implement vs the £160b lost though illegal wildlife trading – with permits and licenses to control the influx and impact of over use and crime.”

Jolyon who’d agreed to become the 4th member of the “Philistines” debate team lamented Andrea’s naivety. “Crime happens! How exactly are you going to prevent crime? It’s like building a flood defense, there is no point. Coasts realign and we have to move back. What we do to the planet is very small in terms of what the planet does itself.” He suggested that we were simply between ice-ages and the planet will temporally correct itself. “We cannot control nature or crime.

So let’s control the forces we do understand.

Economics and trade, to shape our environment and reap the benefits”.

In the closing argument by the Hippies, Lisa bemoaned Jolyon’s callous remarks “What gives you the right to kill and trade wildlife? Your heartbeat? Your feeling? Animals possess both these. Everything has a value and purpose. You contradicted yourself as you seem to want pen and breed the animals, whilst trying preserve your “natural” lifestyle of antibiotic free food. Your capitalist views are weak and are outweighed by the views of the naturalists.”

Out of the mouths …

During the final critical Q&A, the only soul in the audience willing to challenge the environmental philistines was 12-year-old Emma, the ‘grubby’ daughter of Rachel Dewhurst. She queried her future and what might be left on this planet for her to enjoy, that would be untouched and of her own choosing. The audience were moved but were swayed by a display of impassioned showmanship

by Piers who asked; “What’s wrong with capitalism? What’s wrong with elitism and a little bit of stag hunting? The rich will spend money and economies will benefit. I appeal – do any of you dare to support the difficult side?” With that final bombshell, for the first time in four years, the audience and judge almost unanimously voted the Philistines winners of the debate.

Rachel commented that “it’s a shame the audience was swayed by personality instead of the ethical issue of who owns the world and its wildlife.” Her comments were echoed by Philistines and Hippies alike, with Ian concerned that fellow IWater colleagues were so easily swayed by random arguments, and Jolyon who was ashamed that they had won.

It was a thoroughly entertaining and educational debate with an unexpected and disturbing outcome. The power of personalities and their rhetoric trumped the sustainability and environmental messages demonstrating that advocacy is approximately 20% factual and 80% communication. Highlighting the importance of communication and the delivery of the messenger, not just the message.

Both teams presented facts, but akin to recent

political campaigns, the audience were won over by charm, conviction and fiction and short term gains, rather than consequences, conscience and fact, and long term challenges.

Interestingly, no senior members of the audience came forth to support young Emma, or reinforce any of the advocacy messages of the Hippies or oppose Piers in his final remarks. There were murmurs of appreciation and admiration for Emma, but none seemed brave enough to broach the subject themselves. Analogous perhaps to what occurs in the real world of construction?

Sustainability and environment peers tend be left to fend for themselves with often a lack of clear board level or even sufficient senior support.

As sustainability professionals, if we are going to change mindsets and embed sustainability globally we need to enhance our communication skills and be a little braver. We need to acquire a greater level of showmanship and attract support from our peers. This is particularly important for our younger professionals to enable them to challenge the status quo and ‘environmental philistines’ of the world.

Should you wish to learn to debate like a professional, join us at the 2016 SE Area Weekend School, 12-14 October (contact Mandhy.

Senewiratne@ mwhglobal.com)

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SOUTHEASTAREANEWS

Big Data, Real World Big Data! Everyone talks about it but how are Thames Water using it from a front line perspective?

By Anna Boyles Bracknell Sewage Treatment Works, Wednesday 29th June At the end of June, the summer event for the South East Area Committee was held at Bracknell STW. The theme of the day was how Big Data is being applied within the day to day operations of Thames Water.

An overview of the current data related initiatives, as well as looking to the future was given by Thames Water specialists, as well as members of their Technology and Transformation Alliance.

First, the group were introduced to Ravindra Bhat, Sahaj Wadhwa and Joe Coles, part of the team developing Thames Water’s Intelligence Hub Big Data Platform. This tool has been designed to pull together unintegrated systems, disparate data and tools, and offline decision models to help the business overcome issues with siloed information sources, and issues caused by a limited view of customer risk and ‘after the fact’ visibility of customer impact. From this, iHub, a cloud based platform collating and analysing information from multiple systems and visualising the data was born.

The iHub Platform is being developed to help the company’s Control and Operational functions to focus on a step change in speed of response, and a shift of focus towards Smart, real-time

The iHub tool, showing the waste catchment real time view

Modelling forcast

monitoring of their assets. The project is providing accurate production planning for the clean water side of the business, and for the waste side of the business, proactive catchment monitoring, energy tracking and management and improvement of asset availability. Ultimately, the tool will deliver improved environmental performance and customer service.

generate automated alerts ahead of rainfall events.

Pascal Lang from Thames Water’s Wastewater Modelling team then looked further into the future, explaining how the team are using predictive analytics and rainfall forecasting to understand the impact of rainfall on some of their major assets. Real time modelling is being used to update existing hydraulic models and run predictive rainfall simulations, which in turn is being used to

Real life examples were given, focussing on summer storms in June and how predictive analytics were trialled to predict not only what impact would be felt, but also when that impact would peak and recede.

The event was rounded off with a tour of Bracknell Sewage Treatment Works, given by Emily Goren the site manager and a buffet lunch.

Companies represented on the day included Welsh Water, Portsmouth Water, Anglian Water, Southern Water, the DWI, and various industry Consultancies. Feedback from the day was really positive, with even talk of a follow-up event towards the end of the year.

THAMES TIDEWAY TUNNEL PRESENTATION PART 1

By Jason Ryall Recently, 30 lucky people had the opportunity to attend a presentation on the Thames Tideway Tunnel given by Phil Stride, their External Affairs Director. This was a unique opportunity to hear at first hand, this unique challenge facing Greater London…..and there was no pressure on Phil as the delegates included leading figures within our sector and the Institute of Water!! Namely, Jo Parker MBE, Tim Boldero, Ian Barker, Nick Shanks, Ian Limb, Mike Webb, Steve Youell and Tim Wagstaff.

So after tea, biscuits and introductions, Phil gave an insightful, thought provoking and informative presentation on the Thames Tideway Tunnel. In 2014 alone, 62 million tonnes of untreated sewage was discharged into the tidal River Thames. In a typical year the figure is 39 million tonnes. To tackle this unacceptable problem is the Thames Tideway Tunnel, a 25km long interception, storage and

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transfer tunnel under the Thames, running from Acton in West London through to Abbey Mills in East London where it will be connected to the Lee Tunnel. The tunnel will collect sewage from the 34 most polluting discharge points along the river. Phil highlighted the technicalities of construction and the unique business model designed to deliver this £4.2 billion project, the

largest of its kind in the wastewater industry.

In all we had a fantastic day and an opportunity to experience the biggest construction project in London…….and part 2 I hear you say?? This will consist of a technical tour within the next 12 months. Priority will be given to those who attend Part 1 before opening it up to a wider audience.

SCOTTISHAREANEWS

Charity Golf Day 2016 The Scottish Area Charity golf day was held at Ratho Golf Course, Edinburgh on the 22nd June.

Only six teams competed in a Texas Scramble for their name on the trophy, but all had a really enjoyable round of golf with the added bonus of no rain!

After a bacon roll and cup of tea for sustenance the golfers teed off surrounded by wonderful countryside and well-kept fairways and greens. After four hours of swinging, chipping and putting, with the occasional pit-stop in the sand they returned for a 2 course meal, presentation and raffle.

In all my years of organising this and other events I have never experienced what happened next…WGM won EVERYTHING!!

1st place and the trophy went to WGM team, Stephen Fraser, Steve McGeouch, Justin Keeper and Jeff Scott with a score of 49.7; Nearest the Pin went to Justin Keeper and the Longest Drive went to Jeff Scott! All the raffle prizes also went to WGM (but granted they did have 2 teams).

However the day was for Wateraid which benefitted from £915. Thanks to the companies who took teams, provided a raffle prize and to those who bought raffle tickets. Macgreagor Technical Services, Ross-shire Engineering, Panton McLeod, WGM Engineering and Hach Lang Ltd. Hopefully we will have a full house of teams next year. If any golfers have any suggestions on how to improve our day please contact the Scottish Area. Some of those who attended have never been to Ratho but were impressed with the course so why not give it a try. Thanks goes to Ratho for their hospitality and provision of a prize of a round for four.

THERE’S SOMETHING MASSIVE GOING ON UNDER THE GROUND IN GLASGOW! Scottish Water are spending £100million building a 3.1mile tunnel, 15ft in diameter and big enough for a double decker bus to drive through, under the streets and parks of Glasgow. Part of a £250million investment in the wastewater infrastructure of Greater Glasgow, it runs from Craigton Industrial Estate, through Bellahouston Park, Pollock Park, along Titwood Road to Queens park where it will tie-in to the existing sewer system. This project will improve water quality in the River Clyde and its tributaries and reduce flooding issues at key locations. The route was carefully selected to minimise disruption.

In June a selection of institute members were fortunate enough to be granted access to the site whilst the specially designed 1,000 tonne tunnel boring machine (TBM) was on the surface.

Sections of the TBM weighing 360 tonnes had been transported to the site in Craigton from Germany via Rosyth in the week previous to the visit where on completion it will weigh 1000 tonnes and be 180m in length. Probably annoyed a great many road users on the way! The TBM was named Daisy the Driller by one lucky local school pupil, Lewis Bennett, who won a competition which also included the chance to visit the project site and meet Scottish Water Chief Executive Douglas Millican.

The Costain-VINCI Construction Grands Projects Joint Venture (CVJV) is delivering this major project

with close communication with local residents.

Being in such close proximity to residential housing it is amazing that there have been few complaints.

After removing 25,000 tonnes of material and building a massive chamber in peoples “back yards”, there has been activity 6 days a week.

The tunnelling operation will be undertaken using a brand new mixshield slurry Tunnel Boring Machine (TBM) erecting a precast concrete segmental lining, supplied by Herrenknecht of Germany. The principle of the slurry TBM is that as the TBM advances the ground is cut using the various tools on the cutting head, which is filled with a pressurised bentonite slurry, supplied from the on-site Slurry Treatment Plant (STP). The pressure and rheology of the slurry is designed to balance the ground pressure and provide support so that ground loss does not occur. If the slurry

pressure exceeds the ground pressure than the TBM will create a ‘bow wave’ which may heave the ground. Conversely if the pressure is lower then the TBM can ‘suck in’ excess ground which will cause settlement. For any given ground condition and overburden the confinement pressure will be calculated. The pressure of the slurry within the Cuting chamber is controlled by the pressure in the air bubble on the other side of what is called the submerged wall. The presence of the air bubble makes the pressure easier to control and fluctuations caused by the slurry pumps are easily evened out. The slurry circuit also conveys the cuttings to the surface for treatment at the STP. The STP will process all of the excavated material from the tunnel, it consists of a de-sanding building where a trommel and cyclones separate gravel and sands from the slurry for onward reuse, a filter press for removal of fine particulates and a water treatment plant for the batching of fresh slurry and storage of recycled slurry.

The visit was really interesting and opportunities like this don’t come very often. The guys that showed us round patiently answered all our questions and were obviously very proud of the project.

Thanks to Dominic Flanagan, Project Manager and Neil Grosset – CVJV Project Director.

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MIDLANDAREANEWS

A donation of £500 to the Golf Club Captain by organising team member John Williams

MIDLANDS AREA CHARITY GOLF DAY 2016 The Midlands Area charity golf day was held at Buxton in North Derbyshire on Thursday 23rd June 2016. Sixty contestants from around the country converged on Buxton & High Peaks Golf Club to participate in the annual golfing event.

The golfers began the mornings Texas Scramble event. The weather was exceptionally good and competitors feeling the sun on their backs achieved great results.

organisations who do not have the ability to raise funds themselves.

Thanks to the generosity of those contestants that remained with us through the presentations during the evening, we were able to raise a further £340.00 from the raffle.

The winner of the morning Texas Scramble was PSS Hire with a score of 24.4 points and the runners up was Severn Trent Water Control Room with a score of 25.7 points.

2016 is the Institute of Water’s 22nd golf event to be held at Buxton & High Peak Golf Club. The golf organising committee thought it would be an appropriate time to thank the club for their generosity with a donation of £500 to the Golf Club Captains chosen charity, Macmillan Cancer Support.

The afternoon Stableford event kicked off and the main competition got under way.

Competition for the individual title was very competitive and scoring was scrutinised to ensure fairplay.

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Winner’s 18 – 28 handicaps: 1st place – Dave Marjoram

Dave Wood 1st place – Instarmac Cup Winner

Winner’s 0 – 18 handicaps: 1st place Dave Wood – Instarmac Cup Winner

nine holes were awarded second place. The Geoff Baggaley Trophy was presented to Instarmac.

Winners of Geoff Baggaley Trophy (The Stableford Team Event) The winners were Instarmac with 87 points and the runners up were Utilitek with a score also of 87 points, but on calculating count back on the back

It will give me great pleasure later this summer to hand over cheques for £2,500.00 to the charity nominated by Instarmac which is “The Gentleman’s Night Out’. This charity funds predominantly within the West Midlands Region regardless of race, colour, creed or age to individuals and

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My thanks go as always to my fellow organisers, John Williams, Dave Wood and Chris Palmer, and to the management and staff at Buxton & High Peaks Golf Club for their excellent course management, hospitality and food.

My thanks to the players, sponsors and friends who continue to make this day one of the Midland Areas greatest long running success stories.

Gill Wood, Midlands Area Treasurer and Golf Day Organising Team Member.

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