Institute of Water 183

AUTUMN2014 ISSUE183

IN THIS ISSUE: WOMEN IN WATER FRACKING SEWER FLOODING WASTEWATER PIPELINE TECH INSTITUTE OF WATER JOURNAL

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CONTENTS

INTRODUCTION

20 a great success and I’m delighted to report we achieved record delegate numbers. I’m incredibly proud of the event and the success it achieved, and I hope all those who were in attendance enjoyed it as much as I did!

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This edition of the Journal focuses on ‘women in water’, and having recently become a Signatory of the Diversity in Engineering Concordat, the Institute of Water is keen to continue celebrating and promoting diversity in the water industry.

In this issue, you can read the views of women from all backgrounds including water companies, supply chain and regulators. I hope you enjoy reading their stories and you feel inspired in your career no matter what your own gender, background or line of work may be.

The Institute of Water recently held a joint event with the Society for the Environment about fracking and you can read a report from that event, plus further opinion, in the pages which follow. There is also the usual Engineering, Environment and Science News to enjoy and of course Area News which reflects on all of the exciting things happening in each Area of the Institute.

Welcome to the autumn edition of your Institute of Water Journal.

As we look forward to enjoying the autumn may its splendid bright colours reflect the shining success of all your work and as the winter beckons here’s hoping the seasonal weather doesn’t present too many extra challenges this year for all of us who work in the water sector.

I’m personally delighted and honoured to take on the role of President this year and I would like to thank our members for their continued membership and support. The Institute of Water is dedicated to supporting the careers of people working in all professions and at all levels across the UK water industry and I believe the Institute’s work means that our people will be fit for the challenges of the future.

Heidi Mottram President, Institute of Water

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Features 20-43 Women in Water 48-55 Fracking 58-61 Sewer Flooding 62-77 Wastewater 78-85 Pipeline Tech

Regulars 4 News in Brief 5-6 Members Update 8-9 Engineering News 10 Environment News

12-13 Science News 14-15 WaterAid

16 Drilling & tapping 88-94 Area News

I am privileged to be given the opportunity to help shape that future from within the Institute and I’m enthusiastically looking forward to meeting those challenges which lie ahead.

As you may have read in our Conference Review publication, the 2014 Annual Conference was

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

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

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Left to Right (standing): Michael Fowle (VP Engineering), Tim Boldero (VP Environment), Ian Limb (Area Director), Chris Loughlin (Immediate Past President), Bob Mills, Roger Harrington, Robin Price (VP Science) and Sam Phillips. Left to Right (seated): Lynn Cooper (Chief Executive), Kathy Auld, Heidi Mottram (President)and Dermot Devaney (Chair). Missing from the photo: Richard Barton (Immediate Past Chair), Maureen Taylor and Marie Whaley.

INTRODUCING YOUR BOARD OF DIRECTORS At the AGM on 4th June Heidi Mottram was elected as President, with Dermot Devaney becoming National Chair. Heidi and Dermot succeed Chris Loughlin and Richard Barton who both remain on the Board. You can hear from Heidi in the Journal Introduction. The only new appointment at the AGM was Ian Limb - elected as Area Director, in line to become the next National Chair.

Nick Ellins left the Board after four very active years of service, including two as National President. We are indebted to Nick for raising awareness of the Institute of Water across the water sector and for challenging the Board to meet the growing expectations of members.

Applications invited for fellow membership At the AGM on 4th June members voted to make Fellow Membership (FIWater) available by application. Previously FIWater could only be attained by being nominated by an Area Committee or by the Board of Directors.

Peter simpson to join the board

Fellow Membership may be awarded if you have been a Corporate Member of the Institute of Water for at least five years, with career progression to a senior level over this period, with demonstrable evidence of CPD appropriate to this level of membership.

We are pleased to report that Peter Simpson, Chief Executive Officer at Anglian Water Group, has agreed to become Vice President and will join

Applicants who are not already members of the Institute can apply to join at the level of Fellow, provided that they can demonstrate a

The new Board was pictured outside at the @ Bristol Science Centre on Day 2 of the Annual Conference & Exhibition.

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the Board when it next meets in October. Peter joined the Institute as a Fellow Member in 2005 after being promoted to Chief Operating Officer at Anglian Water Services and has been a strong supporter and advocate throughout, particularly in recent years.

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commensurate track record within the water industry, hold a senior position and also have evidence of CPD appropriate to this level of membership.

Applicants will be asked to demonstrate their suitability by showing they have the necessary attributes and achievements (at least one from a list of examples) and will be required to demonstrate a clear commitment to support the activities of the Institute.

If you are interested in applying to become a Fellow Member you can download the attributes and an application form from our website under ‘About Us’ then ‘Membership Levels’ It was also agreed to change the name of the highest grade of membership from Honorary Member to Honorary Fellow (HonFIWater). This status can still only be attained by nomination.

MEMBERSUPDATE

ROBIN PRICE TO BE OUR DIVERSITY CHAMPION In 2012 the Science Council set itself the strategic ambition of working towards a science workforce that reflects the diversity of society.

There are compelling arguments and evidence for supporting increased equality and diversity in the science workforce. In addition to the moral, ethical and legal reasons for addressing diversity, equality and inclusion, there are other reasons, including:

USIT HARVARD APPLICATIONS Utilities and Service Industries Training is again offering sponsorship to attend a week-long High Potentials Leadership Program at Harvard Business School next year.

The Program is designed for top performers in positions of authority who want to grow as leaders.

Attracting and retaining talent

Links between diversity and performance

The USIT Award covers economy travel, accommodation and course fees and is subject to acceptance by Harvard.

Applicants must have support from their employer and are required to write a paper explaining in up to 1000 words how they, their company and the utilities industry to benefit.

There is growing evidence that bringing together a range of perspectives and backgrounds can enhance performance through diversity of ideas and approaches.

A shortlist of applicants will be invited to give a presentation to USIT trustees at the offices of SBWWI, Leamington Spa, on Friday 14th November 2014.

Finding, developing and retaining individuals from all corners of society with the right skills can only help to sustain and strengthen the talent base.

Stakeholder expectations Many organisations have recognised the value to be gained from a diverse talent base that reflects their markets and stakeholder environment and view diversity, equality and inclusion as vital to remaining relevant and competitive.

Organisational reputation Professional bodies seek to reflect and further their sectors and disciplines. They are judged on the image and reputation of the organisation and wider sector, and need to be as relevant and appealing to the widest possible group of stakeholders.

At the Science Council’s AGM in June, member bodies agreed to sign a declaration to show their support and commitment to tackling inequality, championing diversity and promoting inclusion:

we expect to be one of the first to sign at their October General Meeting.

By promoting equality, diversity and inclusion the Science Council and its member bodies will create greater opportunities for any individual to fulfil their scientific potential, irrespective of their background or circumstances. In so doing it will also help science to better serve society by attracting the widest possible talent to the science workforce and fostering a greater diversity of scientific ideas, research and technology.

For full details and an application form visit http://www.usit.org.uk/usit-

harvard-award.aspx

CLOSING DATE FOR APPLICATIONS IS 26 SEPTEMBER

Robin Price, Vice President Science, has agreed to be our first Diversity Champion, working not only with the Science Council but also the Royal Academy of Engineering to advocate the importance of equality, diversity and inclusion, and be accountable for improving practice and communicating our diversity strategies to our membership and other stakeholders.

C&A PUMPS JOIN AS COMPANY MEMBERS TEESSIDE-based C & A Pumps and Engineering has enjoyed significant growth since setting up in 2012.

The business launched primarily as an engineering services contractor but has diversified into several new directions including electrical installation, training and even helps firms achieve quality standards and ISO accreditation.

By completing specialised, technical jobs drawing on the expertise of its staff, C & A Pumps has experienced particular success within the agricultural and chemical industries winning contracts with chemical giants Huntsman, Johnson Matthey and steel manufacturer SSI, as well as Bellway Homes, several racecourses, riding stables and golf courses.

The firm worked with Ineos and SSI to install specialist ultra-sonic and radar equipment to detect depth levels in chemical tanks, while global manufacturer Huntsman purchased a range of specialist equipment and machinery including pump controls and spares.

C & A Pumps, which employs 12 staff, has also caught the eye of global pump manufacturers and was appointed to supply and maintain products for the German firm Vogelsang, which specialises in pumps to handle and remove waste from water treatment plants as well as train carriages, aircraft and abattoirs

and expects to employ an additional 10 staff in the coming months. It also won the Tees Valley Best New Business Awards for 2013 and the Most Promising New Business at the 2014 Hartlepool Business Awards.

For more information, please visit www.capumps.co.uk

The business recently relocated to larger premises at Hartlepool’s Queen’s Meadow Business Park

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MEMBERSUPDATE

IWA UK YOUNG WATER PROFESSIONALS CONFERENCE The IWA UK Young Water Professionals Conference has grown from strength to strength in recent years attracting over 250 delegates from all over the world in the last two years alone at conferences held in both Manchester and Teesside.

The conference is designed for young professionals from throughout the water sector and academia to come together for 3 days to showcase the latest innovation, research and technology emanating from all areas of expertise.

The 3 day conference is fast paced with over 20 presentations, ranging from undergraduate researchers describing their final year projects, to water company CEOs describing their ascent to some of the most powerful positions in UK business. 2013 saw Northumbrian Water CEO, Heidi Mottram, describe the importance of innovation as water companies strive to provide exceptional customer service.

Unique from other conferences the IWA UK Young Water Professionals Conference also offers careers advice from water companies, the supply chain, regulators, academia and associated organisations during the careers forum which allows delegates to have informative discussions with experienced personnel from all corners of the water sector in an informal setting.

Sandwiched between the presentations is the very popular ‘Interactive Session’ which takes delegates outside their comfort zone and challenges them to think differently and challenge the norm through interactive participation and debate.

delegates have raised over £3000 for WaterAid - at events held at both Old Trafford in Manchester and The Riverside Stadium in Middlesbrough.

The final day of the conference is reserved for the site visits which often include local cultural and industrial sights related to the water industry. This year delegates learned how Manchester’s huge canal network has been transformed in recent decades to become a focal point for widespread inner city regeneration and the return of a healthy fish population to the waterways.

With a relaxed atmosphere, gala dinner and site visits, the conference offers fantastic networking opportunities where young water professionals from around the world can build strong relationships that will last a lifetime - often crossing many continents and cultures.

The conference, now in its 15th year, is built on the strong principle that it should be accessible to as many young professionals as possible through affordable delegate fees. This is achieved through close collaboration with regional universities and generous sponsors who realise the longer term benefits of being associated with developing the leaders of tomorrow.

Keep an eye out for more information on the 2015 conference in the Institute of Water Journal or if you would like more information regarding the IWA UK Young Water Professionals Conference, please contact Luke Dennis at Northumbrian Water

NEW IOW MEMBERS Driver group has been providing consultancy services to the engineering and construction industries since 1978.

We operate in offices around the globe, including Africa, Americas, Asia Pacific, Europe, and the Middle East. Our expertise supports the delivery of major projects worldwide and bridges the gap between the construction, legal, and financial sectors.

Our continued success can be measured by the positive feedback of our clients.

It is the result of rigorously maintained standards and the commitment of our people to provide a quality service, to budget, and within time. We are able to provide integration into0 the client’s team where appropriate.

Driver Group delivers the full spectrum of engineering and consultancy services with specialists operating within each of the Group’s five core brands: DIALES, Driver Project Services, Driver Trett, Driver Corporate Services, and Driver Project Management.

luke.dennis@nwl.co.uk

After the presentations, delegates have the opportunity to indulge in some fine food, drink and entertainment at attractive local venues whilst raising money for charity - over the last two years generous

2013 RISING STAR TO ATTEND IWA CONGRESS

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Ben Tam has been invited by the International Water Association (IWA) to sit on a Panel at their World Water Congress in Lisbon in September.

strengthen it; retain it; gain from it’ and will be opened by Uta Wehn, Senior Lecturer/Researcher in Capacity Development and Innovation at UNESCO-IHE, presenting ‘The Knowledge Value Chain in a nutshell’.

Earlier this year Ben was asked to contribute to an IWA careers publication ‘World of Opportunities’ with an article on our Rising Stars Programme.

‘World of Opportunities’ is due to be launched in Lisbon and IWA were keen to have Ben there to discuss a range of initiatives used by water service providers to ensure that knowledge and capacity are transferred. The session, organised jointly by IWA and UNESCO- IHE (the largest international postgraduate water education facility in the world), is entitled ‘Knowledge and Capacity:

Ben said:“I’ve benefitted immensely from being on the Rising Stars Programme and it was great to be able to contribute to the ‘World of Opportunities’ publication; it allowed me to share some of the experience with a wider audience.

I’m looking forward to participating on the panel in Lisbon and joining the discussion, whilst also taking the opportunity to attend the wider conference as part of my development.”

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The Congress runs from 21 to 26 September and includes a wide variety of sessions, workshops and forums, all offering learning and networking opportunities.

Ben Tam

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INTRODUCING OUR LATEST ENGINEERING TECHNICIANS Steven Jackson EngTech – Project Manager, Kelda Water Services “I have been working in the water industry for nearly 2 years and I am committed to continuing my professional development. EngTech was a perfect first step for me to begin gaining recognition for the skills and experience I have acquired during the period that I have been working for Kelda Water Services.

“The overall application process was simple and it gave me the opportunity to reflect on the experience I have gained to date. It also provided me with access to a mentor within the industry who has helped guide me through the process, whilst also providing me with advice to develop further in my role.

Alan Spey

EngTech – Analyst, Bristol Water Until very recently Alan held the post of Technical Assistant with Bristol Water.

Although he has a BSc in Environmental Science and has since done an HNC in Water Operations with Management, Alan has no accredited Engineering qualifications so he had to provide detailed evidence for each of the competence standards. Alan did this and more, in a report which included as appendices: • Event logging study; • Logger fault study; • Commercial logging review; and • Record of communication with consultants.

When asked why he applied for EngTech Registration, Alan replied: “I applied for EngTech accreditation because I wanted formal recognition of my technical achievements and engineering aptitude without having to return to academic study. For a full time employee it is an opportunity to supplement existing qualifications which reflect the reality of a developing career.

“Because my degree is not accredited by the Engineering Council as a valid engineering qualification I had to submit an application by review that

I think that becoming a registered Engineering Technician has not only boosted my confidence but it will also help to improve my job prospects for the future. Furthermore, the confidence gained from my EngTech success has inspired me to start working towards my Chartered Environmentalist Status with the Institute of Water. This will hopefully put me in a good position for a long and successful career within the water industry.”

exemplifies technical aspects of work I have done and is therefore much more than a rubber stamp process. The process of applying for accreditation by review is quite rigorous and the scrutiny I brought to bear on my career in the water industry to date has benefitted my selfconfidence in what I do.

“I would recommend the process for anyone wishing to develop their career as it allows an understanding of your work in a wider context, as well as providing evidence that you are capable of working to high professional standards. From here, with the encouragement of my sponsors, mentor, the assessor and review board, I intend to submit an application for Incorporated Engineer that will enable me to compete in the job market with candidates that possess formal engineering qualifications.

“A couple of weeks before receiving this confirmation I accepted a new role at Bristol Water as an analyst.”

CALL FOR ENGTECH REPRESENTATIVE ON ENGINEERING PANEL TO BE TECHNICIANS AND APPRENTICES CHAMPION For some time we have recognised there is potential for a large number of people working in the water sector to be registered as Engineering Technicians and over two years ago we changed our procedures to make EngTech Registration more accessible.

First we removed the need for interview, allowing paper submissions endorsed by a qualified Engineer. Applicants who hold a vocational qualification which has been approved by a licensed professional institution (as listed on the Technician Database) OR a Water Industry Advanced Apprenticeship are not required to submit any further evidence. We also introduced a new Technician grade of membership, enabling Technicians to pay the same membership fee as Associate Members.

Technicians and Apprenticeships are now being promoted and supported by Government and last year the Engineering Council set up an Engineering Apprenticeship and Technician Qualifications (EATQ) Forum to enable professional bodies to

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share best practice and keep up-to-date with developments and opportunities.

We still have a vacancy for an EngTech on our Engineering Panel and it would be logical if this person became our Technicians and Apprentices ‘Champion’ or ‘Expert’ to represent us on the EATQ and related and similar forums.

Engineering Panel, chaired by Michael Fowle, VP Engineering, normally operates remotely (by email, conference call or similar) on an ‘as and when basis’. A face-to-face meeting will only be called when other options have been fully considered.

The Engineering Professional Panel provides a forum for consultation/discussion on all engineering matters and is authorised to: Review applications for registration with the Engineering Council and recommend suitable applicants for registration in the appropriate section of the Register: Chartered Engineer (CEng), Incorporated Engineer (IEng) and Engineering

Technician (Eng Tech) Make recommendations to the Engineering Council on behalf of IWater EATQ Forum, chaired by Dr Jean Venables CBE, FREng, meets twice a year. Its mission is to: a): Support work that leads to a change in culture and attitudes towards Engineering Technicians and contributes to an increase in the number of EngTech and IEng registrants; and b): Ensure high, consistent and transparent approval practices and processes for engineering qualifications and apprenticeships that lead to EngTech and IEng registration and to meet the current and future needs of the engineering sector.

Next meeting 1st December (London) If you are interested, please contact Lynn Cooper e: lynn@instituteofwater.org.uk t: 0191 422 0088

ENGINEERINGNEWS

WATER EMPLOYERS BLAZING A TRAIL IN RESPONSE TO THE APPRENTICESHIP REFORMS The Department for Business, Innovation and Skills (BIS) has supported the water industry employers’ request to develop Trailblazer Apprenticeships in the water and waste management industries. Trailblazer Apprenticeships are the Government’s response to the Doug Richard Review of Apprenticeships in England and will be rolled out over the next three years to replace existing frameworks. At present, employers are developing two water industry Trailblazer Apprenticeships for: • Utilities Engineering Technician • Water Process Technician Utilities Engineering Technicians will perform reactive and routine maintenance on equipment to ensure safe and efficient site operation whilst supporting other disciplines as necessary. They will have advanced problem solving and analytical skills, the ability to undertake corrective action and adhere to maintenance schedules ensuring targets are achieved safely, efficiently whilst maintaining full compliance with environmental regulations. There are three main roles within this occupation: Electrical, Mechanical and Instrumentation Control and Automation (ICA). Depending on employers’ needs, Utilities Engineering Technicians can be trained to work in a single role or have wider responsibilities.

By achieving a Pass in this Apprenticeship, the successful apprentice will be eligible for Engineering Technician (Eng.Tech) (or equivalent) professional registration with the Institute of Engineering Technicians (IET) or the Energy Institute. This Apprenticeship is graded at Distinction, Pass and Fail and the grade will be dependent upon performance in on-programme and end of programme assessments.

The three main types of work within the Water Process Technician occupation are water supply and treatment, water networks and leakage and sewerage and wastewater. A successful apprentice will have met the requirements common to all three and also one set of specific requirements.

Depending on employers’ needs, apprentices may be trained to work in a single role, or they can expand their skills to cover activities beyond a single role.

In achieving a Pass in this Apprenticeship, the successful apprentice will be eligible for Engineering Technician (Eng.Tech) (or equivalent) professional registration with the Chartered Institute of Water and Environment Management (CIWEM) or the Institute of Water.

This Apprenticeship is also graded at Distinction, Pass and Fail and the grade will be dependent on performance in on-programme and end of programme assessment.

The project has been made possible through a great deal of hard work, commitment and

leadership by employers in the Trailblazer Action Group, which is at the vanguard of this exciting Government policy reform seeing employers take control of their Apprenticeship standards.

The Trailblazer Action Group for the development of both standards consists of: South West Water, Severn Trent, United Utilities, Southern Water, Dwr Cymru Welsh Water, Northumbrian Water, Thames Water, Viridor, FCC Environment, Grundon, and London Waste.

The Water Industry Strategic Steering Group (WISSG) has acted as the Trailblazer oversight group, increasing the level of employer engagement.

Water.

At the time of going to press, The Trailblazer Group is eagerly awaiting the approval of the High Level Apprenticeship standards by BIS. Once approval is granted, they will progress the next stage of development for a September 2015 launch date. The Group will be working through the detail on how the Trailblazers will be delivered and this will mean increased contact with training providers and other stakeholders involved in delivering Trailblazers - a new standard for Apprenticeships by Employers for Employers.

The High Level Standards for both Technician roles have been developed to ensure that apprentices have sufficient knowledge, skills and practical experience to be able to look toward professional registration with the Institute of Water or the Institute of Engineering and Technology. This benchmarking of Trailblazer standards against the Engineering Technician standards allowed the Group to ensure that apprentices would be able to present themselves for professional registration on successful completion of their Apprenticeship. Professional Registration, particularly benchmarking Level 3 Apprenticeships against Eng.Tech requirements is a key quality marker for BIS as for the Trailblazers. The ability to encourage and facilitate professional registration for apprentices is a big bonus for employers, and aims to reward successful Apprentices with the recognition they have earned and deserve with the Institute of

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ENVIRONMENTNEWS

By Tim Boldero, Vice President, Environment

As many of you already know, Alex Galloway CEO of SocEnv, has moved on and Adam Donnan has been appointed as an interim CEO while a replacement is recruited. After completing two years as Chair of the Society, Carolyn Roberts also stepped down at the summer AGM and her successor is Ian Bowbrick. Details of these appointments together with details of a number of SocEnv Fellowships and the Chartered Environmentalist of the year, can be found on the SocEnv web site at www.socenv.org.uk On 23rd June Paul Gibbs and Lucinda Gilfoyle attended the SocEnv summer reception along with nearly three hundred other guests, including Jim Marshall (policy Advisor at Water UK) and Robin Price,(Anglian Water) both of whom are featured elsewhere in this journal.

On 1st July SocEnv and the Institute of Water held an evening seminar in London to discuss the implications of Shale Gas Exploration (Fracking), which was attended by nearly 100 people from a very wide spectrum of professional

and corporate organisations. This event is covered in some detail elsewhere in this journal and our thanks go to Jim Marshall for chairing the session and to Kerry Geldart (Deputy CEO SocEnv) for facilitating the evening.

The Council of The Society has also now approved the creation of a register for Environmental Technicians and will be rolling out this initiative during late Autumn. Members or in fact none members who are interested in this should contact Institute of Water HQ. Once details are with the NHS, PHE and Local Authorities. David is a coach and mentor within Anglian Water and works with teams at all levels and across a range of functions.

David was an ideal candidate for Chartered Environmentalist but he doesn’t have a Masters level degree. In order to meet the qualifying standards of Masters level degree or equivalent and responsible practical experience (ordinarily four or more years), David had to submit a Masters Equivalence Report.

His report focussed on a project he undertook recently to assess the risk to water quality and the environment of failing to backwash filters at any water treatment works in the company. We asked David to explain how he went about writing his report.

David Mann CEnv, Tactical Support Manager, Anglian Water Services David joined Anglian Water in 1999 as a Works Technician and has held several managerial roles since 2005.

The key aspects of his current position include: Supporting the Regional Supply Manager in ensuring that all water supply assets across the region are managed in a manner which minimises operational risk to water quality and the environment; and Coordinating regional water supply-related projects and wider business improvement initiatives David is involved in many groups, forums and panels and, as a regional manager, has portfolios for biodiversity, EMS and fluoride, engaging

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“It was while reviewing my previous and current work and mapping it against the CEnv competencies as part of my professional review report that I realised I had gained so much experiential learning by completing work at a level that could meet the requirements of the Masters Equivalence Report.

“One thing I would say to anyone worrying about applying for CEnv status without a masters degree would be that I wasted a lot of time trying to find something suitably academic to write about when all the time I had a wealth of experience to discuss at my fingertips.

“My report was based around a project that I undertook in an attempt to reduce the risk to water quality and the environment of failing to backwash filters at any water treatment works in the company. This sort of work is part of my day job and I had already started to write a business report on it. The Masters Equivalence Report was simply an extension of this.

finalised, full access will be available through our web site.

Continuing our theme of featuring successful Chartered Environmentalists, we asked David Mann to explain in his own words, how he approached the matter of demonstrating his masters equivalence. David’s account is not definitive, but does give an insight into his personal journey and I hope you find it of value.

“The main thing when writing the report is to consider whether you are showing that your knowledge is up to date and that you have started or led some work yourself to solve an environmental problem.

“I’m a pretty confident report writer but as I had two great sponsors (Ben Tam and Pete Barratt – thanks guys) and I discussed whether they felt the report was appropriate and also sent my draft to them for critique. This advice and review gave me the confidence that what I’d written was at the right level to satisfy the requirements of the Masters Equivalence Report.

“My advice to anyone who needs to produce a Masters Equivalence Report would be: n Don’t search too hard for a subject; if you are ready to gain the accreditation, you will find something in the work that you normally undertake. Also that way it’s something you really understand. n Use your sponsors to give you confidence – that’s what they volunteer for. n Speak in the first person and describe what YOU did. n Write in your own voice, this is your report.

I was commended for a clear, concise style of writing – you don’t have to sound like a professor. n Try to remember why you wanted to become a chartered environmentalist while you write – it’ll shine through when someone reads your report. n Don’t procrastinate – just get on and write it. It doesn’t take that long and it’s really rewarding.”

Institute of Water

ANNUAL CONFERENCE & EXHIBITION 9-10 July 2015

Cambridge

Business in the >InnovatiSn >CollaboratiSn

New W rld

>TransformatiSn

If you are innovative, ready to collaborate and help us to transform our industry, come and join us.

Chaired by Peter Simpson, Institute of Water President and Chief Executive Officer, Anglian Water Group. instituteofwater.org.uk

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The Big Three are Here!

By Robin Price, Vice President – Science We’re delighted to be fully up and running and accepting applications for our three Scientific Registrations! We can now offer a clear professional development route for every scientist working across the water industry with the Institute of Water. There are thousands of scientists in our industry, working in water companies, regulators and across the supply chain, playing a crucial but often unrecognised role in safeguarding drinking water and protecting the environment.

Which Registration would suit me best?

Scientific qualifications are of course important, but it is recognised that often the learning and professional development and experiences that someone has gained during their career can outweigh the formal academic achievements.

The Science Council have published a toolkit which enables you to input your education and your experience, and guides you towards the most appropriate level. The toolkit can be found at http://www.professionalregisters. org./isthisforme, or via the Institute of Water website.

In order to start your application, you will need to find a supporter or sponsor, typically your line manager or supervisor; ideally they will hold registered or chartered status. As we do with Chartered Scientist applicants, we would of course recommend that you also find a mentor to support and guide you the process. We can help you find a

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suitable mentor – just contact Francesca Madden via francesca@instituteofwater.org.uk and she’ll be able to guide you towards someone appropriate.

What competencies do I need to demonstrate?

Each of the registrations has a series of competencies which you will need to demonstrate evidence of. For all three, the competencies centre on the ability to use scientific understanding and skills to complete tasks, to have an ability to plan and implement scientific tasks, to communicate effectively, including to non-scientific audiences, and to demonstrate a personal commitment to professional standards. As you progress from Registered Science Technician to Registered Scientist and on to Chartered Scientist, the expectations and levels of experience required increase.

All three registrations require the submission of a Competence Report – guidance on what is required for reports at each of the three levels can be found on the Institute of Water website. For Registered Science Technician, the report will be assessed by a central panel of assessors, including representatives from the Institute of Water, who will award the registration. For Registered Scientist and Chartered Scientist, candidates will be invited to attend a short Professional Review interview with two assessors, giving an opportunity to discuss your career and your experience in some more detail.

Sounds great – how do I apply?

All of the application forms, guides and supporting documents can be found on www.instituteofwater.org.uk If you need any help, would like to find out some more about the process and what’s involved, or would like to find a mentor please contact the team at Head Office on 0191 422 0088.

Science Month is coming!

December will be our first ever Science Month, and I’m sure that our Area committees are hard at work planning lots of science-based activities and events that month. If you’re a scientist and you have something to showcase, please get in touch with your local Area committee – it would be a great CPD opportunity!

SCIENCENEWS

HOW MANY DIFFERENT TYPES OF SCIENTIST DO WE HAVE IN THE INSTITUTE OF WATER? Earlier this year, the Science Council published its list of the 100 leading practising scientists in the UK. As part of this, and the continuing drive to encourage more young people to take up scientific careers, Diana Garnham, Chief Executive of the Science Council identified ten different types of scientist, namely ‘Explorer’, ‘Investigator’, ‘Developer/Translational’, ‘Service Provider/Operational’, ‘Monitor/Regulator’, ‘Entrepreneur’, ‘Communicator’, ‘Teacher’, ‘Business/Marketing’ and ‘Policy Maker’.

Explorer - on a journey of discovery, perhaps described as ‘blue-skies’ researchers.

Investigator - the mapping scientist, digging into the unknown observing, understanding and piecing together in-depth knowledge and data, setting out the landscape for others to translate and develop.

Developer/Translational – the applied scientist, helping to make use of the knowledge generated by others, transforming it into something that society can use.

Service Provider/Operational – provides scientific services in a variety of ways, with strong laboratory skills.

Monitor/Regulator – builds and maintains public confidence in the application of science, communicating and establishing credibility with the public and leading edge researchers alike.

Entrepreneur – use deep scientific knowledge and strong connections to see opportunities for innovation.

Communicator – combine science and technological know-how with an ability to communicate, being credible and trusted by both the scientific community and the public.

Teacher – trained in science and who share the knowledge and train the next generation.

JENI COLBOURNE – ONE OF THE UK’S LEADING PRACTISING SCIENTISTS We were delighted when our nomination for one of the UK’s leading practising scientists, Professor Jeni Colbourne, Chief Inspector of the Drinking Water Inspectorate, was awarded a place in the ‘Monitor/Regulator’ category. Jeni received her certificate earlier in the summer, and took the opportunity to demonstrate her strong support for the development of scientists at a series of events with senior water industry figures as she launched her annual report ‘Drinking Water 2013’. Jeni challenged her audience to make sure that they were developing scientists in their organisations, commending the commitment of the Institute of Water to this process.

Business – have high levels of science and technology skills, combined with strong management and business skills.

Policy Maker – combines science and technical knowledge with the ability to ensure that legislation and policy have a sound evidence base.

As part of our build-up to December’s Science Month, we’re starting the hunt for scientists in each of these categories within our Institute. If you would like to nominate yourself or someone you know, please e-mail Francesca Madden at francesca@instituteofwater.org.uk I look forward to profiling people in forthcoming issues of the journal.

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TO BE A GIRL At WaterAid, our work is about changing lives, particularly for those most affected by the injustice of a lack of access to clean water and proper sanitation: women and girls.

This summer our campaign To be a girl helped to raise awareness of the effects a lack of safe water and proper toilets can have on girls around the world; and every pound raised was matched by the UK government, doubling the difference we can make. Supporters from across the water industry got behind the campaign.

Thank you!

With a regular supply of clean, safe water, girls no longer have to walk miles to collect water and have more time to go to school. With proper toilets and sanitation facilities in schools, teenage girls can carry on with their education during menstruation; and a safe, private place to go to the toilet means women don’t have to go in the open at night when there is an increased risk of assault or attacks.

For information about the To be a girl campaign, visit: www.tobeagirl.org

Water women Our experience shows that involving women in planning and implementing water and sanitation projects in the countries where we work makes them more successful. In some of our projects, female plumbers and engineers are also helping to keep the taps and toilets running.

Sisay Mideska water engineer Bishoftu Ethiopia.

Credit WaterAid Behailu Shiferaw

Ram Rati handpump mechanic in Mahoba District India. Credit WaterAid Esther Havens.

Ram Rati lives in Mahoba district in India where girls rarely go to school and women don’t often speak in public. Many wells have failed here because there aren’t enough people trained to maintain them. Ram Rati is one of six local women we have trained to deal with the problem. So far her team has fixed over 300 wells in the region.

Sisay Mideska, 38, has worked at her local water and sanitation centre in Bishoftu, Ethiopia for 12 years. She started as a meter reader,

going house to house in her community, before training as a water engineer at night school. Now, she’s one of the first female water engineers in her area.

To read more stories about the amazing women we work with, visit www.wateraid.org/

what-we-do/our-impact/stories-fromour-work

MEETING OUR WATER INDUSTRY VOLUNTEERS David McGlinchey is Finance Business Partner at Yorkshire Water. This year he joined WaterAid’s volunteer team at Glastonbury Festival as part of the Loos Brothers trio, helping to collect signatures for Change the Record – a campaign calling for safe water and toilets for girls around the world.

depth of public feeling about safe water and proper sanitation.

Where can we find the Loos Brothers when they’re not at Glastonbury?

As always, there were lots of volunteers from across the water industry, did you see any familiar faces from your day job?

You’re just back from volunteering at Glastonbury Festival. Now the mud has dried, what’s you’re overriding memory?

I knew the volunteers from Yorkshire Water and our local Environment Agency offices but it was great to meet up with colleagues from around the country.

And Mike from Southern Water is one of the original Loos Brothers.

Glastonbury is a special place for us and outside the festival we keep a low profile. That said (and this might be a scoop) there are rumours about releasing a single. Watch this space.

This was my sixth Glastonbury and it’s always the scale and diversity of the event that stays with me. It’s a place where nearly 200,000 people experience, even in a small way, what it is like not to have the home comforts of clean water and your own toilet.

The Loos Brothers were manning the African toilets for the third year, is it the glamour that keeps reeling you back in?

Sadly there really isn’t any glamour to it. We are on a mission to ensure the WaterAid toilets are clean and tidy and the queuing public are as happy as possible. That said we did make a pop video this year which is a bit glamorous!

The Change the Record campaign received an incredible 37,815 signatures. Why do you think it was so successful?

The campaign beautifully linked the music to a really serious message. We collected signatures from nearly 20% of festival goers which is phenomenal and will really help WaterAid show politicians the

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Would you recommend Glastonbury volunteering to others?

Yes! It’s very hard work: you’ll get wet, cold, hot and tired but you’ll also have a chance to meet the most amazing people and be part of a truly unique festival.

Last year Yorkshire Water included global safe water as one of its business priorities. Why is it so important to the company?

As a company we know the true value of water and we want to help tackle the devastating consequences of the millions of people living without it. We have a long history of supporting WaterAid and it’s amazing to see the energy and enthusiasm my colleagues have for fundraising and awareness-raising. We organise loads of events throughout the year including the inter-company Water Cycle Challenge and our World Toilet Day ‘Toilets, Teasers and Turntables’ pop quiz.

Find out how you can volunteer with WaterAid:

www.wateraid.org/uk/getinvolved See the Loos Brothers in action:

http://bit.ly/LoosBrother

WATERAID

THREE NORTHUMBRIAN WATER COLLEAGUES RAISE £10,000 FOR WATERAID WITH NEPAL TREK In March, three colleagues completed an epic trek in Nepal to support our industry charity, WaterAid. Take a bow Marie Whaley and Dan Wilson from Asset Planning, based at Pity Me and Hanningfield, and Craig Holliday from Production Services at Hanningfield, who were part of a 20-plus trekking team. In total, they raised over £10,000 for Water Aid with the whole trip raising around £100,000! We caught up with Marie, Dan and Craig to find out more...

How did you feel after the trek?

DW: It was a learning and emotional experience, visiting the WaterAid projects and understanding how the work had made a difference to the lives of those within the communities. The physical challenge came from walking on average 15km a day at altitude, and living in tents.

MW: Elated and very tired!! Everybody said that it would be worth the hard work in training and fund raising and it most definitely was. Memories of fantastic people and wonderful places make you want to smile and tell everybody to go.

CH: Tired! The whole trip, including the fundraising, has been nearly a year in the planning.

I also can’t keep a smile off my face at the moment thinking about all the wonderful things we’ve seen and the people we’ve met.

What were the high points for you?

DW: The views across the Annapurna Range (in Southern Nepal) on the morning of the fourth day of the trek. Breathtaking, unforgettable and magical! (see picture) MW: I got really emotional when we arrived to the village of Nala seeing the welcome the people

had prepared for us. None of us expected that and quite a few had tears in their eyes. The other high point was to see Himalayan peaks for the first time. At risk of sounding very naive, they are much higher than I thought! Their presence is incredible.

Both moments were very humbling CH: The reception we got from the people of Nala when we went to visit a WaterAid project. The whole village turned out and gave us flowers and were so proud that people no longer need to go to the toilet in the open. It was inspiring to see how much the community were driving the improvements and that WaterAid are using our money to change lives.

Given the chance, would you do it all again?

DW: Without question. I would recommend it to anyone with an interest in witnessing both amazing scenery, the work that WaterAid undertake and an enjoyment of being physically tested.

MW: Absolutely! Will have to keep fitness up though…

CH: Absolutely. There was a range of ages from the twenties to those in their sixties on the trek and everyone made it to the end!

Did you see any unusual sights?

DW: Craig is now a Nepalese dance legend, bringing his own unique style to the local villages in the Annapurna region! Helped by several rum cocktails served from a steel teapot, Craig outdanced a number of the village elders on the trip to that well-known 1990s tune, Boom, Boom, Boom by the Vengaboys.

MW: Craig’s dance wasn’t something I have seen before but hey-ho! A post-box at 3,000m was an other unusual sight. It turned out that it worked really well as postcards turned up in England in good time… The idea of a simple postcard travelling the world from the top of the mountains to Pity Me in our age of electronic mails is very romantic and remarkable for old-fashioned me CH: Never back down from a dance-off! Dan managed to rip a big hole in the back of his trousers and had to bribe one of the other trekkers to sew them up for him!

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DRILLING AND TAPPING

AWWA 2014 WORLD WATER CUP & USA PIPE TAPPING COMPETITION World Water Cup 2014 The World Water Cup is an international drilling and tapping competition among champion men’s teams from North America, the United Kingdom and the Netherlands. Organisations host national competitions at their conventions: AWWA in North America, the Institute of Water in the UK, and Waternetwerk in the Netherlands.

National champions are then invited to compete for the World Water Cup champion title.

Each year the World Water Cup is held in one of three exciting locations; AWWA’s Annual

AWWA 2014 Pipe Tapping Competition Pipe Tapping is a high-energy contest involving a race against time to drill into a cement-lined, ductile iron pipe and install a tap. Winning teams from Section-Level Pipe Tapping and teams from the Netherlands and United Kingdom contests compete every year at AWWA’s Annual Conference and Exposition.

Conference & Exposition in North America, IWEX in the UK, or Aquatech in the Netherlands.

The 2014 contest was held at ACE14 in Boston, Mass., USA.

Result

The competition was held on the Sunday afternoon with judges from each country adjudicating, Jeff Standridge USA, Jan Van Breugel Netherlands and Michael Taylor UK.

3rd Place: Balfour Beatty Utility Solutions, UK

This year also included a team from the Netherlands and a combined team from the UK and Netherlands.

Euro Ladies This year a combined effort of UK ladies a mother and daughter team “Lesley Barrett and Kayleigh Barrett who both work for Balfour Beatty Utility Solutions, trained together as the driller and setter in the UK, and Suzanne Poot did the copper work from Waternet Amsterdam, who trained in Amsterdam with their ladies team and only came together at the competition to compete, hence the name of the team “Euro Ladies”

1st Place - Lansing Lethal Ladies; Lansing, Michigan; 2:28:06 2nd Place - SAWS Alamo City Tappers; San Antonio, Texas; 2:45:78 3rd Place - Greater Cincinnati Water Works Ductile Iron Divas; Cincinnati, Ohio; 3:09:65 It is a significant achievement for ladies’ teams to break the three-minute mark.

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UK Team Balfour Beatty Utility Solutions The winners Mexico had two exceptional runs in the final as near a perfect run as you can get.

Second place Birmingham Alabama tried but just failed to beat the winning time, they too had an exceptional run but were second only by a few seconds, but a great effort all the same. Third was also a Mexican team who came third last year so well done to all.

Boston 2014 Results 1st Place - SADM San Miguel; Agua Y Drenoje; 1:09:53

Ladies

1st Placed Wearing royal purple, the lovely Lansing Lethal Ladies

2nd Place: Waternet, Amsterdam

Once again a very hard fought contest between the three teams, the victors for a second year running was the Birmingham Water Works Board from the state of Alabama.

With 29 men’s teams and 10 ladies teams, it was sure to be a busy competition over the three days, the first two days being the knock out stages, with finals day on the third day.

With a third-place victory in 2012, and a secondplace in 2013, the first-place seat in the 2014 winner’s circle was just the natural progression for` Lansing Lethal Ladies’ the team consists of, Coach, Remecho Sanders’ team. Catharine Coffey was the setter, Kelly Gleason was cranker, and Marissa Klimkiewicz handled the copper.

1st Place: Birmingham Water Works Board, USA

These are the first UK ladies to take part in the USA contest, a true grit performance is what they gave something to be proud of and this was not about winning but stepping up to the mark and taking part, Well done to all.

2nd Place - Birmingham Water Works; Birmingham, Alabama; 1:20:78 3rd Place - SADM San Nicholas; Agua Drenaje Monterrey, Mexico; 1:27:29 4th Place - Ottawa “Main”-iac Tappers; City of Ottawa, Ontario, Canada; 1:27:78

Men’s The UK men’s team from Balfour Beatty Utility Solutions were Jay Barrett (driller) Lee Maddock (setter) Antony Clark (copper) and Coach Alan Wells. They did very well having a quality tap on their second run, but unfortunately didn’t make the finals day, but there’s always next year! The team won at IWEX in 2014 so will compete again for the UK in Anaheim in 2015

5th Place - United Water Idaho; Boise, Idaho; 1:48:85 We would like to thank Pam Saint Gobain for their sponsorship that makes it possible for the UK teams to take part in this competition and represent UK in the USA. Mick Taylor

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DERITEND

DERITEND TECHNOFLOW BRINGS GROUND BREAKING SAVINGS TO A MAJOR UK WATER UTILITY Background In a bid to identify improvements to its operational efficiency, a Major UK water utility turned to Deritend to explore the benefits of a new fixed pump efficiency monitoring and asset management platform.

Purpose and Priorities Like most service providers today, The UK Water Industry is under pressure from the government to keep prices as low as possible for its customers, making it vital to maximise operational efficiencies throughout all pumping assets and associated drives.

The Water utility operates more than 90 water treatment works and wanted to investigate the potential for any operational improvements which across their entire network, could lead to substantial energy and costs savings. To this end, the company called upon Deritend to undertake a one month trial project at one of their major Water Treatment Works.

The Deritend team worked very closely with the customer and completed a full site survey and audit. The project engineers determined that nine of the pumps should be used for the trial, five small and four large, and this provided a true comparative value for the required measurement of pumping one million litres of water.

Key parameters measured in the process included pump efficiency (%), electrical power (kW), flow rate (l/s) and head (m).

Once all the data had been gathered and evaluated, Deritend analysed the results and presented an extremely detailed report to the water utility, which clearly demonstrated a large variation in hydraulic and financial operating behaviour.

Key to the project was the deployment of Deritend Technoflow and the installation of a ‘Freeflow’ fixed pump efficiency monitoring and asset management platform, which was installed to thermodynamically monitor in real-time the performance of each pump and their associated drives. It was envisaged that the data captured via the fixed monitoring system would allow the Water Utility to optimise their pumping operations and deliver water to its customers at the lowest possible cost Once the system was installed, detailed operational data was fed through the Freeflow system’s sophisticated HMI interface into the customers SCADA interface and provided operator guidance via a dashboard installed in the pumping station and control room, providing real-time performance monitoring along with current pump scheduling v recommended pump scheduling The treatment works had been running with an annual energy costs of £3.7 million with the current arrangement consisting of 11 pumps in total. The facility was chosen for the trial as it is strategically important for water utility in the area, as the system distributes directly to consumers and an end-of-line service reservoir.

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Results and Recommendations The findings showed a massive 224% fluctuation in the operating costs for the large pumps and this varied from a cost of £20/Ml to £69/Ml in terms of their operation.

Energy and Cost Savings Through deploying the Deritend Technoflow methology, Deritend was able to evidence a huge potential saving from the use of real time scheduling of the existing pumps at the Water Treatment Works. By achieving an operational efficiency of more than 80%, the improvement would result in a 13.7% saving in energy bills – equating to an impressive £505,607 per annum.

Project Summary The outcome of the trial was deemed a huge success by all parties involved. By identifying the real time operational inefficiencies and recommending appropriate remedial actions, Deritend have been able to provide a more efficient on-going operational model for the pumps, thereby enabling the customer to realise an annual savings figure of more than £505,000.

Pump efficiency showed an overall variance ranging from 32% to 89%, which was predominately explained by the existing operating schedule.

In addition, the wider analysis process of the project has also identified further possible improvements that can be undertaken by the water utility, including head management, M&E upgrade and further network optimisation, which could lead to further substantial additional savings.

With the smaller pumps, there was a reduced variation of 16% in the operational cost to deliver one million litres of water. Depending on the mode of operation, the cost was between £27/Ml to £31/Ml, with pump efficiency ranging around 80% - 85%.

Through applying Deritend Technoflow principles and technology, Deritend have identified ways through innovation in which its customers can make significant savings in terms of specific energy and cost reduction through effective real-time monitoring and asset management

Darren Harris Pump Services Manager Direct. 0121 524 1649 Office. 0121 525 6599 Fax. 0121 525 2333 Mobile. 07989 850357 dharris@deritend.co.uk www.deritend.co.uk

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Women in Water When the Institute of Water became a signatory to the RAEng Diversity Concordat I was struck by how far the water industry had advanced in terms of equal opportunities for women. To celebrate this I suggested we might run a ‘Women in Water’ feature in our Journal. I am delighted by the reaction of the people we invited to contribute, heartened to see that gender really isn’t a barrier and also inspired by much of what I have read: I hope you will be too.

To put this into context, when I started as a Trainee Accountant at Sunderland & South Shields Water Company in 1983 I was the first female to work in Accounts. I think the company employed over 700 people and I reckon maybe 100 of them were women. The majority worked in clerical or secretarial roles, Salaries, Wages & Pensions, Revenue (Customer Accounts), Materials Control (Procurement) or as cleaners or tea ladies. The exceptions were three women in the Drawing Office (I doubt they were Registered Engineers) and a few Scientists.

I probably ticked a couple of boxes on Diversity, being female and an immigrant from Scotland.

You may laugh but I am confident that 99% of the employees were Sunderland born and bred.

Diversity is good: people from different backgrounds with different skills bring fresh ideas which challenge why and how we do things. If women or any social group were to be excluded we could hinder progress – and work wouldn’t be nearly as much fun!

Lynn Cooper Chief Executive, Institute of Water

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FEATURE:WOMEN IN WATER Heidi Mottram CEO, Northumbrian Water.

Job role overview My role is to strategically guide and lead the business. Our clear vision is to be the national leader and that is supported by strong values and goals shared throughout the company.

We’ve 3,000 employees, 2.7 million customers in North East England and 1.8 million customers in Essex and Suffolk. That geographic spread, with parts of the business separated by 300 miles, is one of the many challenges.

Those two areas also have very different characteristics, for example, we have abundant available water resources in the north east where helping to prevent flooding is a top priority. In the south, resources are at the forefront where the availability of water, believe it or not, is akin to Jerusalem and Namibia.

How I got into the water industry…

My 24-year career in the rail industry, working for British Rail and various train operators, culminated as Chief Executive of Northern Rail, the UK’s biggest train operating company.

In 2009 I was approached by Northumbrian Water and, although I wasn’t looking to leave rail, I was open to new challenges and new things.

When I investigated further I became really interested in Northumbrian Water, especially in the environmental aspects, and I really liked the people from the company I met. I believed I had transferrable skills and wanted to see if I could use them to be successful in a different sector.

There were also many similarities, things like delivering a vital public service, complex regulation, a high safety consciousness, a large dispersed workforce and a very strong community engagement. And this was somewhere where I could retain my passion for customer service.

My perceptions of women in the water industry…

Sometimes I think people are still interested about stories of women working in a seemingly male domintated industry where it is still more unusual to see women, particularly in a senior position.

And water and rail are perceived to be more male dominated than others and this makes people more interested in how you have become successful.

But the traits of successful leadership are no different for a man or a woman and it has not been my experience that working in a male dominated industry is any different. There may be initial curiosity, it might be new to work with a woman or there may be a small minority who consider it to be an issue.

We are all very busy and have a job to do. What matters is that you are capable of being able to do that job and do it well. Gender is academic then.

Any barriers…

I’ve never come across a barrier to my development or not been able to take an opportunity because I am a woman.

For females aspiring to have a career in the water industry, my advice would be…

I would give the same advice that I would give to anyone - not just women. A career in the water industry is a brilliant opportunity to make a fantastic contribution to society giving great customer service and benefitting the environment and the economy. It’s a really good place to be.

It’s a business that runs 24 / 7 every day of the year and our production line is permanently on. To work in water you really have to live it and have a level of commitment and flexibility in order to respond in that environment together with a passion for customer service.

For women there is a great range of diverse career opportunities from operations, to scientific and laboratory work, through customer services and in all the support functions of the business.

All roles at all levels are suitable and there isn’t a single role in the industry that isn’t suitable for a woman.

My final thoughts are…

There is a very positive activity level to encourage diversity in the water industry and that is to be applauded. Having people from different backgrounds and experience to offer in your team is a part of that and gender is a part of that too.

The work that professional institutions like IOW are involved with running programmes to encourage diversity really adds value.

Academic research show that where there is greater diversity at company and board level those are the companies that outperform the others.

At Northumbrian Water we are very pleased to have women in many positions and, indeed, three of our executive team are women.

Throughout the business there are an increasing number of women and we also have appointed diversity champions in the business.

Our customer face is diverse and how we deal with them needs to be diverse too.

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FEATURE:WOMEN IN WATER Liv Garfield Chief Executive , Severn Trent Water Job role overview…

Setting the future direction for the company and inspiring people to deliver fantastic service for our customers.

How I got into the water industry…

After 12 really great years at BT it was time for a new challenge. This job came up at Severn Trent Water and it seemed like a fantastic opportunity. The company is in a really good place but I felt I could add value with my experience and ideas from a different sector. The role seemed like a really good match for my skills and background. And as I’m new to the water industry, I feel I can bring a fresh perspective to the business.

My perceptions of women in the water industry…

Tricky for me to comment on history as I have only been in the industry for 2 seconds, but fantastic to see great role models, from chief exec down (such as Heidi Mottram at Northumbrian). It’s so exciting that we’re slowly seeing more and more women across the business, including technical and engineering roles. This year most of Severn Trent’s graduate placements have gone to women and there have been a good number of female apprentices too. It’s important this trend continues, and we build on the number of women who want to go into careers in the science, maths, technology and engineering sectors, because they can bring different ideas and perspectives to the business. I am personally lucky with a good number of fantastic women in my own senior management team.

Any barriers…

Personally, I’m pleased to say it’s not a problem that I’ve ever come up against. As I joined STW in April, I’m obviously pretty new to the water industry. However, being a woman hasn’t hindered my career at all.

In fact, whilst I was at BT in my previous role, I was promoted shortly after I fell pregnant for the first time! I had a number of fantastic bosses, who absolutely took the long view. They knew from the reputation I’d built up that I was capable of working flexibly and still getting the job done and were superbly supportive along the way.

For females aspiring to have a career in the water industry, my advice would be…

To be honest, my advice would be the same for women as it is men.

In the few months I’ve been at Severn Trent Water, I’ve found the fantastic thing about the water industry is the huge number of diverse roles that there are out there. The sector is so interesting that I’ve been learning every day and I truly believe there’s something for everyone. Find out as much as you can about the different sectors, to find the best fit for you, and go for it! Work experience is a great idea as you get to see how a role really works from the inside.

Also, it’s really important to think about what you want out of life.

If you need to work part-time because you have a family, then think about which roles it’s feasible to work part-time. Or if you need flexibility because you have other commitments outside work, then make sure the role you want allows for this.

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Once you know what you really want to do then prove yourself by going that extra mile. When your manager knows you can be trusted to get the job done well, you’re more likely to be given other opportunities and the flexibility to do the role the way that suits you.

My final thoughts are…

My top tips for success would be: Respect and seek to impress your boss; don’t be afraid to push for your own success; be comfortable with your work parameters; embrace change; set yourself stretching goals; review your own progress and make sure you have balanced work relationships and above all, make sure you like the work “you”.

"I’ve found the fantastic thing about the water industry is the huge number of diverse roles that there are out there. The sector is so interesting that I’ve been learning every day and I truly believe there’s something for everyone."

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FEATURE:WOMEN IN WATER Sara Venning CEO, Northern Ireland Water How I got into the water industry…

I started my career as an electrical engineer with the local electricity utility, Northern Ireland Electricity. Over a fourteen year period with the company, I held a number of positions, latterly as Customer Operations Manager with responsibility for delivery of customer connections to the electricity distribution network. I am a qualified black belt six sigma practitioner and worked on a number of efficiency and customer service improvement initiatives within NIE. After fourteen years with NIE, the decision to move from the company was a hard one, but I was also ready for a new challenge. While I had no specific ambition to work in the water industry, my time at NIE had given me an insight into the importance of working for a utility. If you are a utility person you are always thinking about it because your services are always required. It is truly a 24/7 job, it is a way of thinking and a way of life. In particular, I was involved in a number of business improvement and change initiatives with a strong focus on efficiencies and improving customer service, so when I saw the advertisement for Director of Customer Service Delivery the job description was ‘right up my street’!

I had all the experience required and a real drive to make a difference.

Being a Director of one of the premier companies in Northern Ireland was undoubtedly an attraction so I went for it.

I joined NI Water in April 2010 as Director of Customer Service Delivery with responsibility for water production and distribution, wastewater collection and wastewater treatment together with all aspects of service to customers, including billing and customer contact handling.

In September 2013 I was appointed Interim CEO following the retirement of CEO Trevor Haslett and was appointed as CEO from 01 April 2014.

My perceptions of women in the water industry…

I genuinely don’t tend to look at people in terms of their gender, I am more interested in the person themselves and the job they are doing. I believe people should be recognised and rewarded for the work they do, male or female. My degree is in electrical and electronic engineering from Queen’s University, at the time I was one of about 6 or 7 females in a class of over one hundred; so perhaps I have just got used to always being in roles traditionally classed as male dominated!

Any barriers…

I don’t believe I have lost opportunities or come across any barriers to my development; certainly none that have held me back. I have faced obstacles in my career that needed to be overcome, but everyone has hurdles to jump in life and in their career, I wouldn’t necessarily associate those with being female.

However, I can appreciate the difficulties many women may face when trying to juggle the demands of a career with the demands of home life. I am very fortunate to have a supportive family by my side. I have three daughters and I hope they will grow up to believe they can achieve anything if they work hard. My family have grown up with the realism of ‘mummy being at work’. The girls have even decided that perhaps snow at Christmas time isn’t such a good prospect!

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For females aspiring to have a career in the water industry, my advice would be…

I think any career would be difficult if you didn’t enjoy the job you do.

You need to have a genuine commitment to the place and the people you are going to everyday, without that, you will end up pretty miserable!

I also believe it’s not always about the position you hold, every role is important in an organisation, perhaps more so in the water industry. For example, without our front line staff, the water and wastewater simply wouldn’t flow!

My final thoughts are…

I think women should grasp every opportunity as it comes. I certainly didn’t think when I joined Northern Ireland Water that I would one day be CEO, but when the chance came I took it.

My advice to anyone in their career, male or female, is to find a job you love doing, everything else will come naturally after that – and don’t discount a job in any utility – it is extremely satisfying providing essential services to the public. The irony of a job in a utility is you know you are doing it well when people don’t think about you doing it at all!!

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FEATURE:WOMEN IN WATER Pamela Taylor Chief Executive, Water UK Job role overview…

The aim of Water UK is to bring people together to create better policies for the future of water. My role is to make sure that happens! It is a huge challenge but also very rewarding, especially when we achieve things we know will be good for our society.

I need to anticipate and to understand a changing industry – and it’s certainly changing. Water UK covers such a breadth of policy areas, including public health, financing and investment, the environment, and customers.

I need to ensure we are working with stakeholders and members, so that we can evaluate and shape change.

Running a membership organisation means making sure it remains relevant, fit for purpose and in the vanguard of best practice policy development.

How I got into the water industry…

I was head-hunted into the water sector from a global position with the World Health Organization in the mid-1990s. Then I helped to develop the concept of Water UK, producing a blueprint document which people liked the look of, and was appointed its first Chief Executive.

My perceptions of women in the water industry…

One of the things I have noticed now compared with when I started is that I am no longer the lone woman in a room or at a meeting, and that’s great. But at the same time, I don’t have any generic perceptions of women in the water industry because I don’t judge women any differently from men.

Any barriers…

I have not come across any barriers to my development or felt I have lost opportunities due to my gender. I think it is important that women and men use their communication skills to talk with people in the sector, to listen and to learn. Ask questions, check out your opinions and views, and put yourself forward. Let people see on the outside the confidence and enthusiasm that you feel inside.

"One of the things I have noticed now compared with when I started is that I am no longer the lone woman in a room or at a meeting, and that’s great. But at the same time, I don’t have any generic perceptions of women in the water industry because I don’t judge women any differently from men."

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FEATURE:WOMEN IN WATER Helen Samuels

Director of Engineering, United Utilities Ltd Job role overview…

Leadership of our in-house engineering support to the capital delivery and operations and maintenance teams; with a remit to ensure technical rigor in all that we do; so improving our customer care, environmental compliance and performance efficiency.

How I got into the water industry…

I was all set to study physiotherapy when my A level physics teacher, Steve Lee, took me to one side and told me that I was an engineer. He arranged for me to attend a Women in Science and Engineering (WISE) weekend event at Cardiff University. Having chosen civil engineering, I did my first degree at Plymouth, where there was a strong focus on coastal engineering (with commercial diving!) and hydraulics, and I did my summer placements each year with Mouchel in their water team. I was hooked! A masters in hydrology at Imperial nailed it.

My perceptions of women in the water industry…

There are some incredibly talented women in engineering, and in the water industry. In terms of numbers, we see a good balance at graduate level, and this is genuinely on merit through the selection process.

Unfortunately, the numbers in more senior posts are much less and we have too few role models. I refuse to believe that this is a talent issue; more likely a combination of subconscious bias on the side of recruiting managers, and lower levels of confidence and self-promotion on the side of up and coming female talent.

Any barriers…

In recent years since I have moved into more senior roles, and perceptions across the industry have become more mature, I would say not, but for sure in my earlier career things were tougher. Hard to point to specific barriers – what I experienced were behaviours which demonstrated that I wasn’t taken as seriously as my male colleagues.

Your hair would curl at some of the stories I could tell! I now work in an environment where the gender balance is past the tipping point, such that it is rarely commented on that you are female in a technical leadership role. Really refreshing, and empowering.

For females aspiring to have a career in the water industry, my advice would be…

It’s the most rewarding career you can aspire to, and has a bigger impact on the quality of human health and wellbeing than anything else you can do – regardless of your gender. My advice would be the same for women as for men – put yourself out of your comfort zone in the roles you apply for, make sure you have a mentor and at least 3 sponsors, seek and act on constructive feedback and lead by example in supporting others coming up behind you.

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My final thoughts are…

I genuinely believe that unless we tackle the diversity gap, we will have neither the right skill mix nor the capacity in numbers to tackle the future technical challenges we face in the industry. Diversity spans many areas, but of course gender diversity is the bigger area to go for in terms of numbers to make a difference. We need teams capable of thinking differently, and engaging with broader stakeholder groups. Also, as I have found in my current post, your potential is so much greater when your teams and leaders focus on what you can do rather than what gender you are.

I genuinely believe that unless we tackle the diversity gap, we will have neither the right skill mix nor the capacity in numbers to tackle the future technical challenges we face in the industry.

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FACE FIT TESTING – BE SAFE, BE SURE, BE COMPLIANT Recent research indicates that up to 50% of all RPE used does not offer the wearer sufficient protection and one of the major reasons for this, is that is simply does not fit.

No two faces are the same, therefore having a tight fitting respirator or mask available for use will not suit everyone. It is the employers’ responsibility to ensure that their employees have access to effective RPE, tested to ensure it fits their face profile.

The ACoPs supporting the hazardous substances, lead and asbestos regulations recommend face fit testing during initial selection of RPE. Fit testing should be carried out by a competent person. The BSiF has developed a competency scheme for fit test providers (Fit2Fit) which provides one method for employers to ensure that their testing is being carried out by a competent person.

CSTS offer a flexible, Fit2Fit accredited, fit testing service: • Half day (10 tests) or full day (20 tests).

Key facts: • All close fitting facepieces should be fit tested (includes disposable and re-useable half masks, escape set masks and full BA masks).

• Retesting should be carried out at regular intervals, or if the wearer changes facepiece, gains or loses weight, undergoes substantial dental work or develops facial imperfections.

• A fit test is not the same as a pre-use check. A fit test ensures the mask fit the wearer’s face profile. A pre-use test ensures the RPE is functioning correctly.

• Facial hair (including stubble) will interfere with the seal. Wearers should be clean shaven for the test and on each occasion they wear close fitting RPE. • Whilst guidance can be given during or before a fit test, a test is not a substitute for proper training in the care of, use and donning of RPE.

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• Tool box talks and training sessions.

• At our training/support centres or your sites/offices.

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Mandhy Senewiratne Lead Sustainability Advisor, MWH Global Job role overview…

Trying to ensure growth and development, without incurring excessive costs whilst adding value to the environment – holistic whole life costing. My job role is incredibly varied and challenging. In short it involves saving the world! One AMP at a time…

How I got into the water industry…

I grew up in Colombo (Sri Lanka) and Melbourne (Australia) where water shortages and natural disasters were common place, as was the aftermath (of water poverty and pollution). My dad was also involved in lot humanitarian work involving water supply, and I guess it was a natural progression into water and sustainability. I always thought that the water industry held the answers, or at least was the place to start to make the world a better place!

My perceptions of women in the water industry…

I think it is much tougher for a woman to navigate the path to the top, and perhaps because of this, those women at the top, generally tend to be creative, resilient, empathetic and wholly remarkable individuals.

The current MD of MWH UK is a woman which is a great sign that the industry is moving in the right direction… slowly but surely!

Any barriers…

Yes, although it was some time ago. I suspect that was due the fact that I was both female engineer and more specifically because I was an environmental engineer. The “hippie” perception caused as many barriers as being female. I have had past managers who had major issues with both of these aspects, and simply didn’t know how to manage nor guide me professionally. I do see things changing. There is a lot more support both within MWH and the industry, and there is now a lot of awareness and understanding.

For females aspiring to have a career in the water industry, my advice would be…

Find a balance between work and life (and let me know if you find it!), a supportive group of colleagues at work (male and female), and perhaps a senior female colleague to sponsor and mentor you – particularly valuable if you wish to climb the corporate ladder. The industry is changing for the better, but it is still undoubtedly tougher for women, so be prepared to stand up for yourself. It’s an amazing period of change, creativity and innovation in the water industry, and it is most certainly the place to be!

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My final thoughts are…

Accept that men and women have their differences, which is what makes work interesting, and what leads to innovative, creative, balanced solutions. However at a certain level of seniority, many women seem to drop off the radar. As an industry if we are serious about gender equality and diversity, we need to acknowledge that most women are still the primary carer and work full time (obviously there are also many men in this category, and perhaps this impacts upon them too). This needs to be recognised at work, with flexible working, childcare maternity/paternity leave, equal pay and most of all, ensuring that if you choose to start a family, it should not result in your career ending. Individual companies (such as MWH) are quite progressive in this sense, but as an industry I feel that we are still behind.

Accept that men and women have their differences, which is what makes work interesting, and what leads to innovative, creative, balanced solutions.

FEATURE:WOMEN IN WATER Jo Parker Director, Watershed Associates Job role overview…

Manage my own consultancy specialising in the management and technology of buried assets.

How I got into the water industry…

The water industry was recruiting civil engineers in large numbers when I graduated, which was just after the re-organistaion of the water industry in 1974. The newly formed water authorities found they had a huge backlog of work. I was one of 4 graduate engineers recruited to Thames Water’s Oxford office and one of the first 2 women engineers recruited to Thames Water.

I chose the water industry because I’d had a vacation job working for a catchment board (a predecessor to the EA) and enjoyed it and I liked ‘the wet subjects’ at university where I studied civil engineering. I also thought that working for a water authority I could get both design and site experience in the same organisation.

My perceptions of women in the water industry…

Initially I had a lot of barriers. Thinking back my treatment in the Oxford Design Office would have been unacceptable now - it would have been considered sexual harassment but that was 40 years ago! However, I did get some excellent experience and became chartered at the minimum age of 24. I then wanted to move into an operational role but I was also told frequently that I could not have a job managing manual labour as I had no experience managing manual labour - catch 22! Male colleagues did not meet the same treatment. I took a temporary assignment in Afghanistan to get the experience of managing manual labour – and was then told it didn’t count so I took a downgrading to get my elusive first job in operations. Thankfully I don’t think that would happen now – I meet lots of women working very successfully in operational management.

I found that job, managing water treatment across the Upper Thames Catchment quite isolating – there were very few women working with me.

However, when I and a few other women tried to start a support group ‘Women in Thames’ we were told we were not to by the HR Director. We did it anyway – as a social group. They had their cricket club and rugby club so we had our evenings learning about aromatherapy and personal safety!

Once again I would emphasize things have changed dramatically. Being a woman now can be an advantage as I am remembered – but that is because I’m still in a minority at technical conferences and meetings.

For females aspiring to have a career in the water industry, my advice would be…

Join the Institute of Water and use it to make contacts and get to know more senior people in the industry to learn from them. Also think about how you come across – always ensure you look and sound professional.

My final thoughts are…

I’m surprised there aren’t more as environmentally focussed careers generally are attractive to women. I do think the image of the water industry does not really portray the reality and that can put off some women. There are still very few women in craft and front line operational jobs. I always thought that the role of the leakage technician would suit women very well, but I have come across very few – and I think that’s partly about where the work is advertised and how it is portrayed.

Once again I would emphasize things have changed dramatically. Being a woman now can be an advantage as I am remembered – but that is because I’m still in a minority at technical conferences and meetings.

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Shelley Williams Water Technical Manager, Southern Water Job role overview…

Management of a team of scientists and engineers providing technical support to our operations including technical advice, process science, ISO9001, sampling and analytical services, water resources, data analysis and competent operator training to ensure high standards and compliance. Contract management of key suppliers and responsibility for a <£11M budget. Technical expertise to support business improvements and regulatory compliance.

How I got into the water industry…

After completing my degree in Palaeobiology and Evolution I started working as a Development Technician in the cosmetics industry but I really wanted to work in a scientific field related to environmental management. I applied for a job as a Laboratory Technician in a water company as I thought this was a step in the right direction and the rest is history! I realised that working in the water industry would allow me to work in a huge variety of fields without leaving the company I worked for. I was lucky enough to be given a lot of opportunities which I found both interesting and challenging.

My perceptions of women in the water industry…

There a lot of very strong women with great leadership capability within the industry but it’s still incredibly male dominated at the top, this is changing however but maybe not as quickly as it should. There is definitely still a bias generally which I believe is related to the high numbers of engineers which make up a large portion of the workforce, if more women went into engineering this bias would shift.

Any barriers…

I have done very well in the industry but still feel I have been pigeonholed, however this isn’t just due to my gender. I feel being a women, being blonde and being a scientist has limited my opportunities to break into senior management and it has influenced how I have been managed by male managers. That said I can hold my own and sometimes you just need to believe in yourself.

My final thoughts are…

The industry is changing and I think it’s an exciting time to work in water, particularly as a woman as more and more doors are opening each day.

For females aspiring to have a career in the water industry, my advice would be…

It’s a secure industry with lots of diverse opportunities, people will always need water and there will always be jobs. It’s not just about water production there is customer service, environmental management, asset management, engineering, scientific and PR and communities departments just to name a few, take a look as I am sure there would be a career path that you would be interested in!

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The industry is changing and I think it’s an exciting time to work in water, particularly as a woman as more and more doors are opening each day.

FEATURE:WOMEN IN WATER Sarah Cotterill Stream EngD Research Engineer, working with Newcastle University and Northumbrian Water Ltd.

As a young woman beginning my career I, maybe controversially, don’t think gender is an issue.

Recently, I watched a Ted talk from Facebook’s Chief Operating Officer, Sheryl Sandberg. In ‘Why we have too few women leaders’, she suggested the problem isn’t getting women interested, it’s keeping them from dropping out of the race. The percentage of girls taking science GCSE is increasing faster than that of boys, yet only 12% of the UK’s engineering graduates are women. This proportion decreases further for women topping their professions.

Why do I think this is not a problem in the water industry?

Heidi Mottram (NWL), Liv Garfield (Severn Trent) and Cathryn Ross (OfWat) demonstrate how this industry provides opportunities for women to succeed. My generation will take inspiration

from this, and be supported by policies like the Davies report, which is aiming for 25% female board member representation in FTSE 100 companies by 2015.

Even on earlier rungs of the career ladder, STEM women are becoming more acknowledged. Last year, I wrote a blog post about the ‘trailblazers’ exhibition at the Discovery Museum; showcasing photographs of female engineers and scientists at work. The Institute is raising the profile again through this article, and industry-wide we’re supported by schemes to keep women in water.

Female PhD students studying Civil Engineering at Newcastle account for more than 30%; well above the national average. I studied maths and sciences to A level, completed a BSc and MSc, then worked as an analytical chemist in Northumbrian Water Scientific Services. At this point, I met Professor Tom Curtis. He offered me the fantastic opportunity to work on microbial electrolysis cells (MECs); a technology with the potential to reduce the energy consumed in wastewater treatment.

Yet the opportunity to be part of STREAM, whose aim is to ‘shape careers and deliver innovation’, sold the project to me. MECs aim to improve treatment efficiency, so the energy stored in our wastewater is not wasted. I hope, given the opportunities afforded to them, my generation don’t waste their chance to succeed as women in water.

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FEATURE:WOMEN IN WATER Claire Sharp Distribution Manager, Northumbrian Water Job role overview...

Leadership and strategic direction of a 380 strong team who keep water flowing to over 2 million customers across the north east and south east of England.

How I got into the water industry…

I dropped out of sixth form because I desperately wanted to work and successfully secured a traineeship at Northumbrian Water Authority.

It was pre privatisation and I’ve seen our industry and the workplace transform so much since then. It was the start of a career that allowed me to get the best of worlds, gaining solid and diverse work experience while studying in parallel to complete an Honors Degree in Business and more recently, a Masters in Leadership.

One of the attractive things about the water industry is the huge variety of career opportunities on offer and I’ve been lucky enough to work my way through a range of them! My career started in distribution as a technician dealing with utility company enquiries. Next, long before the establishment of call centres as we know them today, I moved on to answering customer calls and replying to complaints. Since then, I’ve held a number of management roles in operations, leisure, organisation development, marketing and communications. Around twelve years ago I returned to frontline operations to lead billing and contact centre teams and drive forward our customer service strategy. I’m now distribution manager, and I lead the team that manage 17.500km of water network and keep water flowing to over 2 million of our customers, as a member of the water directorate management team. I am also an accountable executive for our Field Service Transformation Programme and a member of our employee relations forum.

My perceptions of women in the water industry…

I see some really strong women in our industry. Their achievements are based on their capability and leadership qualities which is fantastic. A great deal has changed in the last twenty years and women are definitely taking on more diverse roles at every level. The best people I see are those who are authentic as individuals and leaders.

My final thoughts are…

Remember, it’s about you as a person, not you as a women and if anyone tells you otherwise, they’re not the type of person you should want to work with or for. Always be true to yourself and whatever your role is make sure you’re happy doing it. Your career could last a long time and be rewarding, so above everything else, enjoy it!

Any barriers…

We can often be our own biggest barrier to personal development.

First and foremost you have to believe in yourself and be honest about your ability - I know what my strengths are and where I need to focus my development to keep honing my skills and experience. My gender has never come into it. I’ve always tried to be open minded about opportunities and pushing boundaries.

For females aspiring to have a career in the water industry, my advice would be…

Regardless of gender, I encourage people to work hard, deliver what they say, use their initiative and be prepared to go above and beyond what’s expected. If you’re ambitious, make sure your boss knows and stick your hand up for new opportunities that will suit your skills and allow you to make a difference. Always have high standards and never let them slip.

Identify a couple of good mentors, ask for feedback about where you can improve and be prepared to listen to it.

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Remember, it’s about you as a person, not you as a women and if anyone tells you otherwise, they’re not the type of person you should want to work with or for.

Fastflow Pipeline Services Limited A new direction in water networks

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Karen Wright Head of Water and Environment, WRc plc Job role overview…

During my time at WRc, as it is now, I have had many different roles.

These have included a secondment to central government and a 10 year period with COGNICA, a sister company with a completely different business model. I’ve experienced the privatisation of the water industry and the transformation of WRc into a plc focussed on providing innovative solutions to clients in the water, gas and waste sectors.

How I got into the water industry…

I entered the Water Industry by a fortuitous accident. After taking a degree in Biochemistry I decided to follow my life-long ambition and trained to be a teacher. I spent a few years teaching Chemistry, Science and Maths to children at secondary level and for the most part enjoyed it becoming Head of Chemistry by my third year. However it didn’t feel satisfying enough and I wanted to go back to my degree subject and do some real research. I was looking for a job and up came an opportunity for a Biochemist at the Water Research Centre – so I took it.

My perceptions of women in the water industry…

45% of the staff at WRc are women which reflects the quality of women in science, engineering and related disciplines and probably also the flexibility of working arrangements available to all staff at WRc. More interestingly 55% of our senior management team is female – quality rises to the top?

Any barriers…

There may be a few barriers to women in my company however compare this to my client base which is primarily water utilities. An analysis of my business contact list reveals that only 15% of my regular business contacts are women.

For females aspiring to have a career in the water industry, my advice would be…

Firstly it can provide a really worthwhile and satisfying career whatever discipline you choose. Hard work and excellence are rewarded and a lot of companies working in the sector have family friendly policies and do make these work in practice, so a career and a family is possible. Overall pursue your interests with enthusiasm, build your network of contacts throughout the industry, both inside and outside your own organisation and make the best of opportunities as they arise.

My final thoughts are…

On reflection, I have seen a change in the roles of women in the industry from the traditional administration, customer service and human resources areas into a much broader representation in strategy, planning and investment areas but still less so in the more hands on operational roles. There are now some really good examples of women penetrating the “glass ceiling” and holding high level Board positions in water utilities.

On reflection, I have seen a change in the roles of women in the industry from the traditional administration, customer service and human resources areas into a much broader representation in strategy, planning and investment areas but still less so in the more hands on operational roles.

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FEATURE:WOMEN IN WATER Leah Grint Graduate STW Business Leadership Scheme: Business Services Job role overview…

I am currently in a project based role looking at our business customer offering and how to encourage more regular payment behaviour.

How I got into the water industry…

I graduated from Mansfield College, Oxford University last summer having completed a Geography Degree. When third year came around and the idea of jobs and life beyond university was coming in to a real focus, I like many fellow students really wasn’t sure what I wanted to do.

However, I then prepared for a tutorial on climate change adaptation with a tutor who had an engineering background and sat on the Climate Change Committee within government. The discussion in the tutorial varied from the role of policy and regulation, to long term thinking and financing, all of which focused around the water industry. This tutorial really sparked an interest for me in the water industry as it had so many dimensions. Yet for those not involved it just seems like water comes out of the tap and gets taken away again. This was first time I had thought of what careers there may be in the water industry and if any companies potentially offered a graduate scheme. I found Severn Trent Waters’ Business Leadership Scheme that offered 3 rotational placements across the business with the aim of developing future leaders. I sent off my application, and now I am 10 months into my first placement!

My perceptions of women in the water industry…

When I started out I didn’t really have any preconceived ideas of being a woman in the water industry. I hadn’t really considered the traditional male nature of the industry and I think that was because of the type of graduate scheme I was joining, as it has a business, rather than engineer focus. Since starting it is clear there is still a male dominance in the operational world, for example when researching my second placement I was interested in the role of a Leakage Team Manager, and I realised currently there are no women in this role across the business. However, speaking to people about this role they saw this as a great opportunity to take advantage of and how we can benefit from having women in these roles. As such, I think it is quite an exciting time to be a woman in the water industry, with lots of opportunity to take roles that perhaps traditionally would not have been so accessible.

Any barriers…

There are currently 15 females and 3 males on the graduate intake from 2013, and I don’t think any of us have experienced any blockers due to gender. There are female leaders to look to for inspiration, I have worked with women in senior positions in Strategy and Regulation to Distribution, and there hasn’t been a more exciting time than having a female CEO for inspiration for women in the water industry. My role in the head office has admittedly been sheltered from the more operational world, however, with 15 females and 3 placements I am sure we will all have time to see what exciting opportunities and challenges are out there to young females in the water industry.

For females aspiring to have a career in the water industry, my advice would be…

I really think gender should not play a part in choosing the industry in which you want to build your career. The utilities and the water industry in particular have some of the most exciting opportunities and challenges in the near future, and women should be a part of that.

I really think gender should not play a part in choosing the industry in which you want to build your career. The utilities and the water industry in particular have some of the most exciting opportunities and challenges in the near future, and women should be a part of that.

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FEATURE:WOMEN IN WATER Holly Banham Market Development Project Manager, Thames Water Job role overview…

Design and management of a transformation project to prepare the wholesale business for market changes at the beginning of AMP 6 and in the run up to 2017.

How I got into the water industry…

I initially joined the industry to work in water quality following the completion of my MSc in Environmental Management. However, joining the Thames Water graduate scheme in 2011 opened my eyes to the breadth of jobs available and made me realise that having a scientific background didn’t restrict me to science based jobs – there’s so much more up for grabs.

My perceptions of women in the water industry…

There aren’t enough of them, especially in the operational side of the business. It’s fantastic we now have 2 female CEOs in the UK water industry but I feel women are still lacking in number from middle management upwards. The women I know and work with are extremely bright and resilient but can find moments very frustrating as I don’t feel our male counterparts really understand how to work with us!

Any barriers…

No, I’ve grasped some great opportunities in the 3 years I’ve been at Thames Water. There are a lower number of females in the management level above me, I doubt this is because of barriers put up by the company but regardless it only makes me work harder to make sure I get the opportunity to join the ranks.

My final thoughts are…

There aren’t enough women in the industry and the difference between men and women in the workplace can sometimes cause frustration (I doubt the water industry is alone in that!) but I haven’t yet come across another industry which is willing to give so much responsibility and opportunity to people who, regardless of gender, are enthusiastic, capable and show promise.

For females aspiring to have a career in the water industry, my advice would be…

Join now – the industry is going through the biggest change since privatisation in 1989 so I couldn’t think of a better time and a better industry to be part of. There are some dinosaurs left who are all too willing to make reference to the fact you’re a girl but these people are dropping in numbers or have realised that working with us is a lot easier than receiving a Paddington Bear hard stare!

I’ve grasped some great opportunities in the 3 years I’ve been at Thames Water. There are a lower number of females in the management level above me, I doubt this is because of barriers put up by the company but regardless it only makes me work harder to make sure I get the opportunity to join the ranks.

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FEATURE:WOMEN IN WATER Riaz Malek Life Science Manager, Anglian Water Job role overview…

Overseeing the Life Science laboratories comprising of Microbiology, Biology and Parasitology.

How I got into the water industry…

I’ve always been interested in science and since a young age I’ve enjoyed carrying out experiments to understand why things happen the way they do. Most people don’t give a second thought to where their water comes from, but there is so much testing and science behind every single drop – making the industry a perfect place to harness my interest and develop my skills.

Prior to joining Anglian Water to lead their Life Science Laboratories, I held several other industry and commercial roles which helped me get to where I am now.

Starting in the Southern Water laboratories focusing on parasitology, I soon wanted to develop my understanding and experience different industries, so I moved to the Crypts Proficiency testing scheme where I undertook preparation of QC test kits for the measurement of all water laboratories parasitology labs.

I then spent several years in management roles with some large companies in the pharmaceutical sector, before finding my perfect role with Anglian Water. Here I am able to combine my interest in experimentation and continual improvement with my years of quality and commercial learning. As a manager with responsibility for a team of 20 people, the blend of these skills and experience enables us to look at the bigger picture and deliver the highest quality results to meet the business’ Love Every Drop goals.

Any barriers…

In previous workplaces it has, on occasion, been challenging to be a woman in a management/leadership role, it sometimes even felt as if I needed to work harder to prove myself. But I’ve never once felt prejudiced for being a woman in the water industry. I feel the industry as a whole is very balanced and recognises achievement and success above all else. I’m proud to work for Anglian Water and feel well respected for my role and contributions since I joined.

Balancing a career today whilst being a mother (and indeed for some fathers too) can be very challenging, regardless of which industry you work in. There are many articles out there pointing out the difficulties faced by mothers today trying to reach their career goals. I believe that no one should ever stop aiming to have it all, but we should stop living by ‘comparison’. We shouldn’t be comparing ourselves with colleagues based on age or gender, as we all have our own merits and it’s the combination of skills, experience and backgrounds which brings about great results and drives the team and industry forward. The team here has the vitally important balance which enables us to reach our full potential.

For females aspiring to have a career in the water industry, my advice would be…

My advice to other women in the water industry (or any industry for that matter) would simply be to ‘go for it’. Don’t be afraid of what some deem to be female characteristics in the workplace, instead use these different skills, as a positive characteristic to work with colleagues, regardless of gender, to deliver greater results. Ultimately, everyone at work is judged on their achievements rather than personal traits or gender.

My advice to other women in the water industry (or any industry for that matter) would simply be to ‘go for it’.

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NEW PRESSURE CONTROLLER AUTOMATICALLY REGULATES WATER DISTRIBUTION NETWORKS Water and asset monitoring specialist HWM has launched a new electronic controller for pressure reducing valves (PRVs). Pegasus+ enables detailed multi-point PRV control without a flowmeter, either by flow or by time, together with sophisticated closed loop control.

Pegasus+ offers multi-point PRV control without flowmeter

The controller permits immediate control of pressure within a distribution network, and automatically adapts to network changes and events by analysing data from up to three critical points (CPs). By controlling PRV output pressure, Pegasus+ maintains CP targets defined in terms of time, flow or a combination of the two.

Networks can be optimised to reflect changing demand throughout the day or week.

In extreme or emergency situations, a latching solenoid output enables valves to be fully opened or closed according to controller settings. Bidirectional GPRS telemetry can be used to trigger alarms or remotely control the valve.

In addition to its main logging channel, Pegasus+ features a secondary channel for fast logging down to one-second intervals.

This allows for a more detailed investigation of events such as pressure spikes and helps to establish actual minimum night flow.

Pegasus+ offers the ability to control a network from any web-enabled device. Via the HWM

Online web viewer, users can check and alter system and component configurations and settings. A tablet or PC-based app facilitates controller set-up and programming.

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Tanya Redman, Apprentice Instrument Technician, Dwr Cymru Welsh Water Job role overview…

To shadow qualified instrument technicians on general maintenance on calibrating instruments, carry out fault finding on faults that appear day to day. To attend Coleg Meirion Dwyfor in Dolgellau 2 days a week to carry out a level 3 in engineering course.

How I got into the water industry…

I became interested in the water industry as my step brother and step father both work for Welsh Water. I had never imagined that an engineering job would be something that was achievable for me, being that I was a trained beautician. After carrying out research into the industry it became clear that it was achievable and it was a goal that I could set myself. I was looking for a career that I could progress in, with two young children I wanted a career that was stable and that I knew I could financially support my family.

My perceptions of women in the water industry…

From what I believed myself, I thought the

Angela Dignan Scientific Services Modern Apprentice at Scottish Water Job role overview…

My role primarily involves carrying out scientific analysis of raw and potable water samples in the chemistry laboratory. This involves measuring parameters such as pH, conductivity, turbidity, nutrients and UV transmittance. I also study analytical chemistry with the Open University as part of my apprenticeship

How I got into the water industry…

I wanted to work in science as I’ve always had a keen interest in the discipline and wanted to pursue this. I was fortunate enough to be given the opportunity to do so through Scottish Water’s apprenticeship programme.

My perceptions of women in the water industry…

My first impression was that the industry was male dominated and women were under represented as there was only one other woman on my apprenticeship programme and around twenty men. However, I arrived at the laboratory to find that there was a

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water industry was a male dominated work force, even now that I am here there is a much greater ratio of men to women. However the working team do not treat me any differently and I feel that working in this industry is no different to how I would feel working with women. In college I am the only female in the engineering department over all the years. It is a great shame as I do believe that women aren’t being educated on the real possibilities of career paths that are available for them.

The men in the work place were worried about me starting as a women also, this was because they had never had a women on their team. This very quickly changed and we are all now not only work colleges but great friends too.

Any barriers…

No, not at all. Welsh Water is very fair and gives equal opportunities to all members of staff whether they be male or female. I have had a lot of guidance from my team and have never felt that my gender will hold me back from reaching my ambitions within Welsh Water.

For females aspiring to have a career in the water industry, my advice would be…

so satisfying and rewarding. From carrying out my apprenticeship I have become so much more confident and have come to believe that anything in life is possible. I had never realised that having an engineering qualification can get you into so many different sub-sectors within the water industry. The life experiences that I have achieved already within Welsh Water have been great, we get to travel, see so many lovely views and are faced daily with new tasks - the water industry is such a rewarding job.

My final thoughts are…

I believe that women in water should be publicised a lot more, it’s the best career path I have ever taken, it has rewarded myself as an individual and my family. I even had my 7 year old daughter say that she wanted to do engineering when she was older, makes me so proud that from my story I have changed the perception of others.

It is definitely a career path that women can choose. I have never had a job that is

good balance of each gender working across the business area which changed my initial impression. My own team is very evenly balanced with three women and three men in the team, and my line manager is female.

Whilst in the laboratory, there is a good mix of genders, I realise that other areas of the water industry are still predominately male due to the manual nature of the work involved.

Any barriers…

Not at all, I’ve been encouraged to take every opportunity available from both male and female colleagues.

For females aspiring to have a career in the water industry, my advice would be…

Go for it! I enjoy my work and happy that I decided to take this career option.

The initial barrier I felt joining on the apprenticeship programme could have been lessened by having a more balanced mix of gender. Women can be put off applying because apprenticeships tend to be male dominated, but this can only change by an increase in the number of women applying. I would encourage other women to pursue a career in the water industry as gender, in my experience, has not been an issue and shouldn’t stand in the way of someone pursuing their career.

My final thoughts are…

Women need to be better represented in the field and I’d love to see that happen, but for me, my workplace has no gender barriers.

FEATURE:WOMEN IN WATER

Calling All Ladies – Fantastic New Prize Now Up For Grabs!

Ladies are now an integral part of the National Drilling and Tapping Competition. In the year 2000, two ladies teams (from Thames Water & Three Valleys Water) applied to compete in the Institute of Water’s Annual Drilling & Tapping Competition. They believed that they could successfully drill and tap a water main, whilst adhering to the relevant safety criteria, just as well as their male counterparts. The two teams received a lot of support from the crowd and ultimately delivered on their promise.

More information about sponsorship will be announced shortly on

www.drillingandtapping.co.uk

To register your interest, or to find out further information, please contact

barrie.light@sembcorp.com

The trend was set and each year we see more ladies eager to compete in the Ladies Drilling & Tapping Competition, now known as the Mueller International Ladies Competition. These women are from all business backgrounds, ranging from Company Secretaries to Field Technicians. They are all competing to prove themselves worthy of the Mueller International trophy, whilst reaping the rewards of the networking opportunities provided.

It is with great pleasure to announce that in 2015, the Mueller International Ladies Competition Winners will receive a fantastic prize of a trip to Amsterdam, to represent the UK at the Dutch National Drilling & Tapping Competition. This Competition will be held in November 2015 and as it as a biannual event, two teams will go over to Amsterdam to compete. Sponsorship for this prize will come from several different sources moving forward. Our 2014 winners, Alison Ramsey & Ronnie Baker from Sembcorp Bournemouth Water, will be going on the first trip along with the winners from the 2015 competition.

2014 Mueller International Winners

HEALTH AND SAFETY STANDARDS NOT MAINTAINED. When is a standard not a standard? When everyone does it differently, and where Health and Safety is concerned this puts lives in danger.

Awarding bodies were all involved in the design of the Standards, laying down advice and guidance on how the competency of the industries Confined Space workers could be guaranteed. Requirements for the standards of training and its duration, the qualifications of assessors and the facilities required by training centres to give a realistic “kinaesthetic” experience. So the industry knew, wherever you worked, the competency of the individuals were identical across the country.

The water industry has for many years struggled to produce consistency across the business, many individual water companies each having their own idea on how things should be done.

But when they get together, particularly through representative bodies such as Water UK, the whole of the industry should take note.

The Suite of qualifications produced received high praise from the industry, from Water Companies to the supply chain and even the HSE, and over the years many people registered their competency through the scheme. The scheme has even been extended to industries outside the water sector.

This happened in 2006 when Water UK produced an Occupational Guidance Note for the whole industry relating to working in Confined Spaces.

The OGN gave recommended minimum standards in every aspect of the work, from manning levels and equipment requirements, to competency standards for the individuals involved. Water UK, the Sector Skills Council and Qualification

Now the cracks have started to appear.

When so many employees are registered every year for a particular qualification, the body responsible for that registration will find it difficult to keep an eye on everyone. And that’s what happened in this case. Pressure applied to training providers to “do it quicker” “make it cheaper” means the initial requirements of

the standard are ignored. Learning hours are reduced, the kinaesthetic experience is diluted.

If the assessment is not audited adequately shortcuts will occur.

The Confined Space suite of qualifications is now compromised. You may think the competency of your employees is meeting the standards required by the Water Industry, they may think so too.

The problem is so many certificates have been issued by training providers which don’t meet the requirements of the original standard we can never be sure. The qualification will become worthless unless you can be sure.

If the industry as a whole has decided the Standards no longer apply, we need to re-write them.

If not we need to enforce them.

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MCCRAE TRAINING

Propelling your development is our passion …

Operating from our fully accredited training and assessment centre in Glasgow, we offer contractors, consultants and water companies (across the UK), training and staff development solutions from Modern Apprenticeships to Higher National Qualifications in Water Distribution to Designing Water Networks.

Our approach is focused on the needs of our clients undertaking programmes via traditional arrangements, during weekend and out of hour’s sessions, to tailored distance learning and e-learning solutions.

Our specialist team of trainers and assessors have specific Water Industry experience from Senior Lecturers to Civil Engineers, providing practical training and assessment services from main laying and water mains pressure testing / disinfection, to completion of Vocational Qualifications.

Our core values focus on development of your staff to meet and exceed regulatory requirements within the workplace, we achieve this by delivering best practice training programmes.

Programmes offered include: • Designing Water Networks (Only Training Provider in Scotland offering specialist VQ) • NCO (Water) – Main Laying (Self Lay) • NCO (Water) – Main Laying (Distribution) • NCO (Water) – Service Laying (Self Lay) • NCO (Water) – Service Laying (Distribution) • NCO (Water) – Project Management Level 3 VQ • Water for Scotland (2nd Edition) Designing Water Networks Training • Scottish Water DOMS (Modules 1 – 13) • National Water Hygiene • Safe Control of Mains Connections (Water) • Utility SHEA (Water) • Higher National Programme in Water Distribution Networks • Tailored Training Programmes

From April 2014 WIRS accreditation has been a mandatory requirement for Self Lay Organisations to Lay new Water Mains and Services in Scotland.

At McCrae Training we offer WIRS (Water Industry Registration Scheme) training programmes for Operatives, Supervisors and Trainees, delivered via our accredited assessment centre and on site observations.

• Modern Apprenticeships inclusive of Water Treatment, Leakage Control and Repair & Maintenance of Water Distribution Networks • Full range of H&S Courses For more information on how we can provide advice, training and support to your business and staff, visit our website or contact our office where our team will be delighted to help.

www.mccraetraining.co.uk info@mccraetraining.co.uk Contact us on +44 (0) 1355 246235

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With on-going pressures within the workplace associated with mandatory requirements such as WIRS, McCrae Consultancy offer companies Business Improvement Solutions associated with processes, systems and best practice approaches for Integrated Management.

Case Study: Water Industry Registration Scheme has improved the standards and processes self-lay organisations must comply with (From April 2014), to obtain partial and full accreditation via Lloyds Register. We have worked with a number of companies providing guidance, support and routes to funding to meet Partial and Full WIRS accreditation.

Our specialist business consultants and assessors, review Company processes and systems where we work with the core team within the organisation to develop Quality, H&S and Environmental approaches to meet and exceed WIRS and ISO requirements. Our team have attended during Lloyds Register visits to fully support the Companies and provide on-going continued guidance and support to ensure processes and systems are operated on a business as usual basis.

To arrange a meeting to discuss how we can support your Organisational Development please contact our office where our team would be delighted to help.

www.mccraetraining.co.uk info@mccraetraining.co.uk Contact us on +44 (0) 1355 246235

STONBURY

Stonbury pledges support for WaterAid Stonbury are the UK’s leading specialist contractor within the water industry with over 32 years experience. As a fully committed and active supporter of WaterAid, Stonbury have donated regularly to this international charity via various internal and external campaigns and are very proud to announce a significant increase for the campaign to support this charity for 2014.

At recent tour of Abberton Reservoir in the county of Essex, Essex & Suffolk Water held an evening event that included a presentation from WaterAid on its vision to ensure that everyone in the world has access to safe water and sanitation. We learnt exactly how tough it is for those living in poor communities and how much our support of this charity is needed. Safe water and sanitation are basic human rights which everyone in the world should have access to. Yet unbelievable, around one in eight people do not have access to safe drinking water and over 2.5 billion live without somewhere safe to go to the toilet and clean themselves. This of course has terrible implications and without these most basic of services, around 4,000 children die needlessly from diarrhoea every day with communities stuck in a cycle of poverty and disease.

WaterAid covers 27 countries across Africa, Asia, the Pacific region and Central America and too date estimate that they have helped over 15 million

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people. They transform the lives of people living in the world’s poorest communities and we are proud to see that the UK’s water industry is so active with it’s support for WaterAid. Stonbury, specialist contractors to the water industry supporting WaterAid’s vision to give everyone throughout the world access to safe water and sanitation.

In previous years we have run internal and external campaigns that have enabled us to regularly donate. For 2014 we have increased our level of support and committed ourselves to supporting this charity through a multitude of ways.

Throughout 2014 we have seen our staff partake in various events such as Fly Fishing & Golf, Race Nights, Cricket & even a Pirate Themed Ball. We also have sponsored events and individuals whom have entered exciting Mountain walking challenges and the like. However, Stonbury’s biggest commitment this year has been to Northumbrian Water and

we are very proud to announce our WaterAid Platinum Partnership. Northumbrian Water work closely with WaterAid to provide support to the charity and raise funds, it is important to all of their employees and, in order to manage the fund raising partnership and provide the best possible support, Northumbrian Water employees formed a supporters committee and supporters group. The committee, supporters group and their employees organise events, provide information and talks to organisations within their supply areas, provide help at WaterAid events, organise a payroll lottery that benefits WaterAid, and participate in sponsorship events and campaigns on behalf of the charity.

We know WaterAid are very grateful for any support and we will aim to continue to raise funds to save more lives in the future. To find out more about WaterAid please visit www.wateraid.org

clean water

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STONBURY 32 YEARS AS MARKET LEADERS IN THE REFURBISHMENT OF WATER RETAINING STRUCTURES & ASSOCIATED ASSETS RESERVOIR & WATER TOWER REFURBISHMENT - STEEL & CONCRETE TANK REFURBISHMENT/REPLACEMENT SEWAGE TREATMENT WORKS REFURBISHMENT - PIPE BRIDGE & AQUEDUCT REFURBISHMENT SPECIALIST COATINGS - WATERPROOFING - CORROSION PROTECTION - INSPECTION - CLEAN & CHLORINATION CIVIL ENGINEERING - SECURITY WORKS INC LPC4 ACCESS COVERS - ACCESS LADDERS, HANDRAILS & WALKWAYS

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www.stonbury.com

The F word…

By Nick Grealy

The F word, “Fracking” has been the naughty word of choice of several groups in the UK who remain for the most part ignorant about what the actual technique is. Before we can talk about fracking we have to talk about natural gas, climate change, energy technology and finally water issues regarding onshore natural gas.

Firstly, shale gas is simply natural gas, identical in composition to that from the North Sea or imported via LNG. The UK used just under 79 Billion Cubic Meters (BCM) of natural gas in 2013 according to BP World Energy Statistics. 36.5 BCM came from the UK portion of the North Sea, with the rest imported from Norway, Netherlands or, in LNG form, the majority from Qatar.

Gas is used in equal amounts by power generation, heat and industry. Natural gas is a key feedstock in the chemical (and thus plastic) and fertiliser industries, and irreplaceable in steel, cement, paper and food processing. Some green antagonists are unaware that even after a difficult, if not impossible replacement of “just another carbon fuel” in heat and power, there will be no substitutes in industry. Modern life simply would not exist without natural gas.

At a rough cost of 20 pence per cubic meter, the UK not only imported 43.5 BCM, it also exported over £10 billion. Since all onshore gas and oil is Crown Property, this also means foregoing over £6 billion in tax and royalty income.

Natural gas is a fossil fuel, but has at least half the carbon content of coal and 30% less than that of oil. This makes it the most efficient fossil fuel and accounts for 21% of world CO2 compared to 35% for oil and 44% from coal. With 22% of all CO2 emanating from China coal powered

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generation alone, climate scientists such as those at the UN IPCC conclude that the easiest solution for quick substantial cuts in CO2 can be found in encouraging switching from coal to natural gas. Burned in either power stations or internal combustion engines, gas emits far less other greenhouse gas and effectively no PM2.5 particulate matter, the most dangerous component of air pollution. PM2.5 is so microscopic that it jumps the barrier between lungs and blood supply, thus being an actual killer of several tens of thousands of people a year in the UK alone.

While the media concentration has been on hydraulic fracturing, the true enabler of shale gas has been combining it with horizontal drilling.

Both techniques were accelerated by the rise in cheap computing power that has developed since the turn of the century.

It was always known that oil and gas were formed in what were once considered impermeable geological structures a mile or more below the surface. They are the result of carbon formed from small sea or river creatures and plants trapped at high pressure and temperature at various eras. The most common UK systems shales date from the Carboniferous Period 350 million years ago, over 250 million years before dinosaurs.

“Conventional” oil and gas was produced from gas which migrated from the source rocks over

millennia into oil and gas pools contained in relatively porous rocks nearer to the surface. Even those rocks often needed hydraulic fracturing to improve or enable oil and gas recovery, and they were generally found in discrete reservoirs accessed by vertical drilling. In short, such wells were hard to find but easy to produce from. Shale wells are easy to find, but hard to produce from.

Shale source rock is far more abundant, sedimentary layers that make up over 80% of the earth’s surface. Because they were formed so long ago under great pressure, shale are extremely compressed. Imagine if oil and gas molecules were trapped within a kitchen marble counter top, but multiply the thickness and the permeability by several orders of magnitude.

High Volume Hydraulic Fracturing involves pumping several millions of litres of water through a pipe often smaller than a dinner plate at least a mile below the surface and often far deeper. The water at such high pressure cause the formations to fracture, which in turn releases both gas and oil molecules which flow to the surface. Stimulating wells vertically meant that the well bore could only reach a fraction of the rock, the hundred or so metres where the “sweet spot” of geology deposited oil and gas. Going horizontal means several kilometres of formation are accessible to the well bore, increasing production by several orders of magnitude.

FEATURE:FRACKING HF is not a new technique, having been developed in the US in 1947. It’s been used over 200 times in the UK since the 1960’s. German regulators recently queried a drop in gas production after the pubic insisted they put a moratorium on the “new” “untried” “controversial” HF technique They were told that HF had been in use since 1956 and was a usual technique in gas extraction. Modern day HVHF uses more horsepower, but less chemicals.

The first breakthrough in modern HVHF in 1990’s Texas was a result of an error which cut the amount of chemicals previously used by 90%.

Horizontal drilling enable the use of a single well pad the size of a football pitch, or less, to drain gas and oil from many square and cubic miles of rock. Horizontal drills depend on local rocks, but two mile laterals are common and those of over 8 kilometres are not unknown. Thus, despite the fears fanned by some opponents, as little as one well pad per 80 square kilometres is not only technically possible but commercially attractive in a relatively crowded country like the UK. The pad itself would shrink further in the production phase and can often be buried or disguised. The chief aim of the UK shale industry is to become boring and unexciting. The industry firmly believes that within a few years, most people’s reaction to shale will be a yawn.

Horizontal drilling, first used to revolutionise production offshore was combined with HVHF in the early 2000’s. The result was an astounding increase in productivity. The best example is the Marcellus Shale in Pennsylvania, a geological formation that was long known to contain oil and gas at very small volumes. In 2007 the shale produced 1BCM (Billion Cubic Metres). By 2011 it was predicted to produce 140 BCM by 2020. It in fact produced 145 BCM in 2013, one third of entire EU natural gas consumption and more than the 130BCM imported from Russia. The onshore natural gas industry is confident that similar resources exist in the UK and most other EU countries.

Fracturing before this century used a variety of methods: explosives, napalm, diesel and even nuclear explosions were tried to release the molecules in the Soviet Union. Today, HF uses roughly 93% water, and 6.5% sand or ceramic proppants to hold the fractures open. Less than one half of one per cent of the fluid contains chemicals, which are needed to create a water slick enough to keep the sand in suspension. The same chemicals are commonly present in most people’s kitchens: Bleach, detergent, and salt under the sink, and substances like guar gum in food and cosmetics. In short the chemicals, present in far lower concentrations than domestic products, are not dangerous or poisonous. They are also publicly revealed, despite what some opponents pretend.

Hydrochloric acid cannot migrate two kilometres to the surface anymore than a bottle of bleach can migrate from under the sink into the sink. HcL is already used in double the concentrations in most household cleaners. It is impossible to impact aquifers in any meaningful time scale. Oil and gas will migrate only over a period of thousands of millennia. If oil and gas could rapidly reach the surface, it would preclude the industry needing to

drill for it: it would already be on the surface.

The taps on fire narrative famous to some opponents is a result of pre-existing naturally occurring methane already present in domestic water wells in parts of the rural USA. With well over 99% of UK domestic water supply coming from the mains in the UK, mass contamination is a physically impossible concern.

For water professionals the three items of interest are, the volume of water required, any possible pollution of aquifers and disposal of the fracturing fluid itself.

US wells use an average 5 million US gallons or just under 19 million litres. To the civilian this sounds a lot: the content of five Olympic swimming pools. But as this is a one time requirement for a well that may last forty years or longer, compared to the 3.3 billion litres daily leakage rate of the UK water industry, it is the proverbial drop in the bucket to water providers.

There may well be local constraints, but we must also consider non potable water is not required and brackish or sea water may well be more attractive to drillers as it would negate adding some chemicals or salt. In short, water requirements from UK onshore shale drilling are more likely to be commercial opportunity than threat.

The only possible contamination vector is in case of failure of the well bore itself as it travels through drinking water aquifers less than 300 meters below the surface. The well bore is protected by three or more concentric rings of steel and concrete. It is important to consider here that protecting water from gas and water contamination is only the second priority of drillers. The first priority is to prevent water contaminating the natural gas, which would be make it worthless: gas and water don’t mix.

Hydrochloric acid or other fluids cannot migrate two kilometres to the surface anymore than a bottle of bleach can migrate from under the sink into the sink. HcL is already used in double the concentrations in most household cleaners. It is impossible to impact aquifers in any meaningful time scale. Oil and gas will migrate only over a

period of thousands of millennia. If oil and gas could rapidly reach the surface, it would preclude the industry needing to drill for it: it would already be on the surface.

Despite public fears of an industrialised landscape, hydraulic fracturing itself takes less than an hour per stage. In full production, a well can be drilled in less than a week followed by 20 to 50 stages. After each stage, the water flows back to the surface, leaving the sand trapped in small fractures which allows gas and oil to flow to the surface. Approximately 70% of the original water is thus returned to surface where it can be recycled, lowering the water requirement yet again.

Care must be taken to treat the flow back fluids.

They contain not only the original ingredients but other elements from the deep earth. One potential concern is Naturally Occurring Radioactive Material, (NORM), but this is at such low concentrations to be almost immaterial.

Any waste treatment professional knows that any number of industries produce greater volumes and concentrations of “contaminated” fluids, and the material is processed in an entirely pedestrian manner every day with no environmental impact.

There has been some push back from the water industry during the fracking debate because it reveals to the public and media what exactly is already present in the public supply and threatens to re-open long closed debates over water quality.

Natural gas and oil extraction is a remarkably pedestrian and unexciting industry, much like water utilities themselves. Consumer expect to flick a switch and turn on the tap, unaware of the contribution thousands of people’s hard work makes to this everyday miracle. Power and water utilities are often unappreciated by consumers. We both work long and hard to ensure those who use our products need not give them a second thought, and a better working between the two industries can only help to illuminate and irrigate, the public debate.

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RSKW

WATER MANAGEMENT A KEY PRIORITY FOR UK SHALE Water management issues associated with the development of shale oil and gas in the UK have become an increasingly hot topic for debate. Co-operation between shale gas operators and the water sector has increased since the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed between Water UK and UKOOG in November 2013 (see Box 1). In January 2014, the European Commission published its set of minimum principles for the development of hydro-carbons, requiring member states to “promote the responsible use of water resources in high-volume hydraulic fracturing”.

Water UK has emphasised the importance of good water governance, calling for a greater level of involvement by water sector institutions in the decision making process. RSKW experts believe this is a positive advancement in ensuring that shale oil and gas resources are developed both safely and effectively.

Box 1

UKOOG & Water UK Key Areas of Collaboration.

Baseline monitoring of water resource quality and quantity Site water management plans, particularly for water recycling Assessment of development scenarios on short and long-term demand for water at specific locations Volume and chemical/biological composition of waste water as well as preferred disposal and treatment options

Challenges & Opportunities The production of unconventional oil and gas through hydraulic fracturing can be a water-intensive process and may rely on pumping large volumes of water into rock formations to release hydrocarbons. Water-related issues associated with hydraulic fracturing include water quality and quantity, water infrastructure and treatment capacity (see honeycomb diagram - Box 2). The quantity of water to be sourced during the first 3 months of setting up and completing a well is estimated at around 10,000 - 20,000m3, a proportion of this will return as “flow-back” water and will need to be treated and/or recycled. Shale oil and gas is very much in its infancy in the UK and there is uncertainty around the volumes of water required in the future to make UK shale gas commercially viable during the production phase, but the requirements may be substantial locally.

Effective water management approaches beneficial to Gas Operator Shale gas operators recognise the water-related challenges in the UK and together with the water industry will need to ensure the best use of water sector expertise and infrastructure to address these. The water sector’s infrastructure, as well as its supply chain, could be shared and integrated into development strategies for the sourcing, re-cycling and treatment of water.

These aspects will require effective strategic planning and awareness. Early engagement with the water sector over solutions that can be best implemented to reduce water impacts can help to reduce any unnecessary complications

Regulatory Bodies

Catchment Characteristics

Infrastructure Availability

Reputational Risk

Environmental Pressures

Waste Treatment

Water Quality

Commercial risks

Treatment Opportunities

Hydraulic Fracturing

Water Quantity

Capacity Building

Shareholders

Knowledge Sharing

Technology & Innovation

Water Revenues

Legislation

Water Efficiency

Supply Chain Opportunities

Government

Public Perception Water Availability

Challenges

Risk Sharing & Minimisation

Infrastructure Sharing

Opportunities

Box 2 around water management, and offset the costs of regulatory compliance.

Measures to improve water efficiency could prove to be more cost effective in the long term. There is considerable scope for innovation and development.

UK water sector stake in shale development The water sector must position itself strategically to meet future water-related challenges - and to explore potential business opportunities. It also has an obligation to investigate any potential impact on drinking water quality. The production of shale gas is a major operation requiring an extensive supply chain and ongoing drilling activity for several years. Significant shale oil and gas production will generate new business opportunities within a developing supply chain, including equipment manufacturing, water supply, treatment and disposal. As an example, Pennsylvanian American Water sold 115million gallons of water to drilling companies in 2011 making $702,000 in revenue in the first 6 months. However, the UK water sector must approach this market cautiously to ensure that it continues to meet its statutory obligations and understands any commercial or public relations risk.

Moving Forwards Good water governance is essential for the UK to move towards further exploration and appraisal and potentially full scale production of shale oil and gas in a safe and efficient manner. With an unconventional gas client portfolio serviced by experts both in gas exploration and water management, RSKW Ltd are well aware of the challenges and opportunities presented by shale gas as an energy source. Appropriate water sector engagement and integration in shale development decisions must be strengthened so that the required water management processes, enablers and controls are established to ensure that this resource is developed properly and safely.

•The water sector should be more involved with the national plan for shale gas development with priority given to sharing knowledge, capabilities and resources. The roles and responsibilities of water sector institutions (private / public service providers and its regulators) will need to be clearly understood.

•There is a need for transparency between shale gas operators and the water sector over future development plans particularly in the production phase of shale oil and gas. A national platform for water management of shale oil and gas development would be useful in helping to ensure that the water sector is fully involved in further exploration and development phases.

1. Memorandum of Understanding between Water UK & UKOOG, accessed online at: http://www.water.org.uk/home/news/press-releases/mou-on-shale-gas/water-uk-ukoog-mou-26nov2013.pdf 2. European Commission recommendation of January 2014 on minimum principles for the exploration and production of hydrocarbons using hydraulic fracturing, accessed online at: http://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/ 3. Water usage data retrieved from shale gas Europe publications, 2014, available online at: http://shalegas-europe.eu/shale-gas-explained/shale-gas-and-environment/ 4. Statistics published in 2012 by American Water for investor relations, available online in a presentation titled “American Water (NYSE:AWK) A Sustainable Investment."

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There are a number of issues relating to shale gas and unconventional fossil fuel (UFF) exploration...

There are a number of issues relating to shale gas and unconventional fossil fuel (UFF) exploration including energy security, jobs, energy prices, regulation, inspection, water contamination (groundwater and surface water), air emissions, well integrity, noise, traffic, lighting, compressors, generators, silica, chemicals, drilling, drill waste, flowback, environmental damage and public health.

It is not possible on a short piece such as this to address all the issues though all do need addressing and the government has spectacularly failed to do so over the last four years that I have been involved in the UK’s “Shale Gas Project”. I shall limit myself to regulations, contamination and public health.

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FEATURE:FRACKING The Government, from David Cameron down, constantly state that the industry is “robustly regulated” or the UK has “a gold standard in regulation” etc. etc. This is the excuse they give that allows them then to state exploring for shale gas is “safe”. Unfortunately neither is true.

Our regulatory system is in urgent need of an overhaul to make it fit for purpose for onshore UFF exploration and the industry can never be “safe”.

It can be made a lot safer through a more balanced approach to regulation with goal setting and risk identification coming from the operator together with minimum standards for well construction coming from the regulator – i.e. some selfregulation and some prescription. Such a balanced approach would then allow for further mitigation of the risks following the well known engineering practice of ALARP – (As low As Reasonably Practicable). At this time that is not happening and I have been negotiating/advising/pushing the Dept. of Energy and Climate Change (DECC) through a number of meetings in Westminster to adopt this approach.

The key differences between offshore and onshore are obvious but it seems not to Her Majesty’s Government (HMG). The main one is a public to protect. Fracking is being proposed across the UK and in close proximity to large urban conurbations.

This is an important difference between the UK and the US. Our landmass is small for a relatively large population. Thus the effects of traffic and air pollution etc. are magnified in the UK. As well as a public to protect (it does not exist offshore – obvious but not to HMG) we have local business (farming, tourism, shops) that will be adversely affected by fracking. Just the threat, the rumour of contamination of the ground water and bore holes that agriculture relies on, fracking flowback getting in to the food chain, this will be enough to destroy local business. Remember the BSE crisis.

As ever HMG fail entirely to predict and prevent disaster and instead wait for it to happen and then claim they were badly advised! Recall the great (self) regulatory successes of recent times: the financial services industry, the food standards agency, flooding and the environment agency (also a key regulator of fracking) and the care quality commission with Mid-Staffs hospital. Just the tip of the self-regulatory, box ticking, mark your own homework iceberg with the good ship HMS Cuadrilla sailing straight for under the direction of Captain Cameron with order – full steam ahead !

Whilst the government has indeed stated that it accepts the Royal Society/Royal Academy of Engineering report’s (June 2012 on shale gas) recommendations, the reality is only one of these has been implemented in full. One out of ten in two years. (See The Lancet P2211 28th June 2014).

Others have been at best ignored and at worst the opposite has been put into place. They rely far too

heavily on what “should be done” and what “might be important” etc. HMG constantly confuses best practices with actual realities. What would be “nice to have” with “what is actually happening”.

We are beyond the “nice to have” stage and need to start informing the regulators and industry with what MUST be done, what IS important etc. to ensure the risks are managed to ALARP. I do appreciate that we are at the very earliest stages of fracking in the UK. High Volume Hydraulic

It is no longer acceptable to keep repeating the mantra “as long as it is strictly regulated it is safe” and various versions of the same.

The fact is it isn’t.

This has been amply demonstrated in various papers and journals. So on the basis as it is not strictly regulated then also it is NOT safe.

Fracturing is new not old. This is another bit of “nonsense” spread about to re-assure a sceptical public that the regulators and government have things under control. Fracking that dates back to 1947 is fracking but it is not HVHF. It is like comparing a local corner shop with TESCO. Both are shops selling food but one has a much, much larger impact than the other. It is the same in fracking.

Size matters. We have just one well fracked in April 2011 within a few miles of Lytham St. Annes

and Blackpool. What a success that one well was: fracked just under halfway (stage 5 of 12), caused two tremors, damaged the well significantly over a large interval, shut down, the well now having some “integrity” issues with annular pressure build up/unlocated leaks (as per recent correspondence between HSE and Cuadrilla) and no fracking since.

However, the USA has over one million wells fracked and collated a large amount of hard data on local populations’ pre, during and post fracking.

Peer reviewed studies now emerging from America have highlighted some astonishing public health risks, including serious damage to the unborn infants in the form of congenital heart defects and low APGAR scores for those populations living within ten miles of fracking wells. HMG refuse to acknowledge these studies from Princeton, from M.I.T., from Cornell and Colorado School of Public Health. It’s time they did. It will not be acceptable post public health damage to claim they were not aware of the risk. I have informed them in writing and in person. I have given them the Necessary Regulations paper (which included industry review) that are needed to strengthen this industry and they are fully aware of the lack of a suitable inspection regime that is fit for purpose.

Fracking has already happened in the UK and is about to resume shortly with four wells in Roseacre and four wells in Little Plumpton, both on the Fylde coast and in close proximity to large urban populations. This will utilize some 22million litres of fracking fluid per well and will leave approx. 88 million litres of flowback (containing lead, arsenic, cadmium, norm (radioactive sludge) amongst other materials at many times the safe level found in drinking water) underground and free to migrate to wherever it can. Just eight wells will have this impact in this year. This is ignoring the impact of the truck movements, flaring, flowback treatment, compressors, noise pollution, generators, wireline logging, drilling etc. The need for onshore industry specific regulations coupled with strict enforcement through an independent, competent body is clear. The reality is no such body exists and no such efficient regulations are forthcoming.

The existing regulators are being scrapped (restructured – Offshore Safety Div.) or downsized (Environment Agency to lose 15% of staff within 18 months) whilst any new shale regs are being fiercely opposed by the Government.

It is no longer acceptable to keep repeating the mantra “as long as it is strictly regulated it is safe” and various versions of the same. The fact is it isn’t. This has been amply demonstrated in various papers and journals. So on the basis as it is not strictly regulated then also it is NOT safe.

Michael Hill The Author: Mike Hill is a Chartered Electrical Engineer who has worked oil and gas (directly in wireline and seismic and now indirectly in process automation) for twenty years. He has advised/consulted with the Dept. of Energy and Climate Change, Non-Governmental Organizations, The Royal Society (Mike was a contributor to the RS/RAE Shale Gas Report in June 2012), written several papers on the topic and is presently an expert advisor to the EU Commission BREF MTWR committee (inc. shale gas). He lives with his family on the Fylde coast in the North West of England.

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Environmental Impact of Fracking The Society for the Environment (SocEnv) and The Institute of Water (IWater) recently held an open meeting to explore the potential environmental impact of shale gas extraction operations in the UK. IWater member, Jim Marshall, Policy & Business Advisor at Water UK, chaired a panel consisting of Rob Cunningham, Head of Water Policy from the RSPB, Tony Grayling, Director, Technical and Cross-cutting at the Environment Agency and Steve Thompsett, Executive Director, UK Onshore Operators Group.

Rob Cunningham outlined a report RSPB had commissioned to enable the emergent shale gas

industry in the UK to benefit from lessons learned from experiences in the USA. The objectives of this report were to examine and review evidence on the potential environmental impacts of hydraulic fracturing and of shale gas extraction in general and secondly the adequacy of practices and policies currently being developed and implemented in the UK to mitigate these impacts.

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instituteofwater.org.uk

Their research raises significant questions about compatibility of shale gas with climate change targets. For example the International Energy Agency has demonstrated that if we are to constrain warming to within 2oC generally (a figure generally accepted as “safe”) we would already have to leave over four fifths of proven global reserves of oil and gas in the ground, unless unproven Carbon Capture and Storage can be commercially developed.

from the transportation of water to and from the site, as well as the technical issue of disposing of contaminated water. It was also shown that the environmental impact of fracking is on water demand could be locally significant, but that it is difficult to determine the long term risks of habitat loss, fragmentation and disturbance.

The risks could of course become cumulative if the industry was scaled up from the exploratory phase.

Very little hard evidence or solid data is available since existing sites in the US were subject to ‘private agreements’ between landowners and the operators when settlements were made outside of court. Information available through the media, rarely addresses the issues of flow-back or saline waste water, which can contain metals and naturally occurring radioactivity and there is little information available about the technical challenge of the treatment and disposal of the waste water.

The RSPB team then looked at the adequacy of practices and policies in the UK to mitigate these impacts and whether existing UK regulation is fit for purpose to mitigate any risks.

The research did reveal that environmental risks to the water table were mostly due to either technical failure of well casing or surface water spillages. Many of the reported problems from the USA appear to have been caused by operational failures and inadequacies in the US regulatory environment. The research also revealed that many of the environmental risks were not unique, but that there may be an impact

RSPB would like legislation to include compulsory Environmental Impact Assessments for every well site and absolute transparency when it comes to clarity on methane emissions; what is being monitored and the benchmarks and baselines being used and importantly, that this monitoring should be done by independent regulators rather than allowing the industry to self-regulate.

The RSPB would like to see regulation that would protect the landscape from environmental harm, and would recommend that the water industry become a statutory consultee in the planning process, as well as certain sites being ‘offlimits’ to licence applications. Strong liability requirements on operators are also recommended

FEATURE:FRACKING such as polluter pays and cost recovery through the regulatory system.

The RSPB conclude that the environmental impact of shale gas extraction on water might have a relatively low probability but come at a very high impact to surface and groundwater.

The report concluded that well regulated site management both during operations and during decommissioning will be paramount to mitigating wildlife and water environmental impacts.

Whether the fracking is compatible with climate change targets remains to be proven.

More details can be found in the report which can be downloaded from the RSPB website:

http://www.rspb.org.uk/Images/shale_ gas_report_evidence_tcm9-365779.pdf

against the regulatory controls at their disposal.

The EA concluded that they already have all the regulatory controls necessary to cover all the environmental risks identified, certainly during the exploratory phase and these regulations provide a triple lock on protection of ground water. Beyond that phase, then further development of regulation would be needed.

The Environment Agency identified ‘well case/ bore hole integrity’ as one of the key risk issues associated with the operation. In order to extract water from the environment, an operator will need an abstraction licence from the Environment Agency and that the EA would not allow unsustainable levels of water extraction.

1. No drilling will be allowed in environmentally sensitive areas for drinking water, namely Source Protection Zones 1, i.e. where it would be too close to supplies of drinking water.

2. The Environment Agency will require the operator to hold a ground water permit and will place conditions on their permits on a case by case basis, unless a hydro-geological assessment shows that there is no significant risk to groundwater.

3. Full Disclosure of chemicals used in the process. Under existing regulations, the operator is required by the Environment Agency to disclose the chemicals they propose to use. The use of certain chemicals that EA considered potentially damaging to ground water will not be permitted.

Tony Grayling, Director, Technical and Crosscutting at the Environment Agency, gave a summary of the research and risk assessments that the Environment Agency had carried out, with respect to the exploratory phase of this new industry in the UK. Tony explained that all onshore oil and gas operators are subject to a multiple regulatory frameworks from different bodies: 1. Onshore operations need a Licence from the Department of Energy and Climate Change; 2. Planning permission needs to be granted from the relevant minerals planning authority (usually the county council); 3. They need the relevant environmental permits from the Environment agency; and 4. Operators need to convince the Health & Safety Executive that plans for the design, structure and operation of the well site are safe and sound.

The Environment Agency’s approach was described as serious, careful and step by step at this early stage as new techniques are explored.

Hydraulic fracking is an emerging technique in the UK but there is an already established onshore oil and gas industry with 200 wells currently in operation in the UK. The Environment Agency undertook an environmental risk assessment of all the processes and activities involved with hydraulic fracking operations and mapped those risks

Management of waste will be in line with the waste hierarchy so any waste gases/liquids must be put to productive uses where possible and treated. EA does not allow uncontrolled venting of gases. Solid, Liquid and gaseous waste is also subject to controls and in the UK has to be stored in closed environments.

Tony concluded that the Environment Agency’s research and risk assessment found the existing UK regulation to be adequate to protect and mitigate against environmental harm during the exploratory stage of this industry, but is keeping this under review as the industry develops towards a commercial scale. In that regard the Environment Agency are currently developing standard rules and guidelines for some of the low risk activities associated with hydraulic fracturing.

Steve Thompsett advised there are currently more than 200 onshore conventional oil and gas wells in operation in the UK producing around 25,000 barrel equivalents per day. There are around 120 sites exploiting 30 fields of gas and oil. He explained that the ‘Bowland Basin’ contains approximately 1,300tcf (Trillion Cubic Feet) of shale ‘gas in place’ and the Weald Basin some 4.4 billion barrel equivalents of shale oil. The petroleum in these shales is bonded within the rock and requires stimulation to release it – the main stimulation process applied to shales is known as High Volume Hydraulic Fracturing (HVHF), also referred to as ‘fracking’. The HVHF process involves pumping water 95%, sand 4% (as a proppant) and chemical additives 1% into the

well under high pressure to fracture the source rock; the water flows back to the surface and is captured for reuse or treatment. Oil and/or gas should then flow up the well.

Well stimulation techniques are already used in conventional oil and gas operations onshore in the UK. Of the 200 operating wells onshore in the UK, some are situated in environmentally sensitive areas. The largest onshore oil well in Europe is currently located at Wytch Farm, near Poole in Dorset. The site is next to some of the most highly desirable property in the south: Sandbanks Steve explained that the industry is used to working in a range of different environments and described how the well sites are well designed and are screened by trees and how, after decommissioning, the land is returned to its original state and purpose.

Steve also confirmed that the UK has a very comprehensive regulatory system, with multiple environmental directives/permits/licenses required for operators which ensure well regulated site management and operations.

The industry is committed to carrying out early stage Environmental Impact Assessments and is committed to monitoring sites to establish baselines up-front and monitoring during and after operations.

The meeting was then opened up to questions from the audience which included chartered environmentalists and professionals from a wide array of the Society’s licensed bodies.

Although this discussion was not wholly conclusive, those present enjoyed the learning and networking opportunity and left with a better understanding of the environmental impacts and risks associated with this emerging insight as well as an insight into how the UK’s regulatory industry is able to mitigate them.

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PANTON MCLEOD

INNOVATION AND TEAMWORK CELEBRATED FOR MAKING THE IMPOSSIBLE, POSSIBLE.

By Paul Henderson

Panton McLeod Business Development Director

Panton McLeod have been recognised by Northumbrian Water for going the extra mile to deliver a critical project on one of their largest potable water assets.

The team are delighted to have received two awards at the prestigious GEM (Going the Extra Mile) awards ceremony on 10th June which honours projects that support NWL’s goal to be the national leader in sustainable water and waste water.

The team won the “Creative Award” – Delivering benefits by employing an innovative approach.

They were also finalist and runners up in the “Health & Safety Excellence Award” Both awards were attributed to a service reservoir cleaning project undertaken using their Robotic Equipment. The 34 Megalitre reservoir located at Horsley Water Treatment Works near Newcastle had been deemed impossible to clean in recent years.

Jim Panton, Panton McLeod’s CEO said “This project was a great example of what can be achieved when all parties collaborate towards finding a positive solution, I am very proud of the site teams and all of our support staff who were involved”.

Paul Henderson, Panton McLeod Business Development Director added “We have a long standing relationship with NWL and cleaned the same reservoir around 10 years ago using

During the project two robotic cleaners were employed within the reservoir simultaneously

traditional drain-down methods. More recently, though, it has not been possible for the asset to be taken out of supply.”

“Over the last 5 years we have been involved in a number of projects to inspect and clean the accessible parts of the asset. The presence of baffle curtains, limited access points into the structure and the lack of any bypass it had, however, made it too difficult to reach all areas of the reservoir using standard underwater working practises”.

During 2013 Panton McLeod worked closely with NWL’s consulting engineers Mott McDonald to design a solution which involved new access hatches being cut through the roof slab of the live asset.

In November 2013 Panton McLeod then acted as principle contractor for all of the onsite activities which included input from a number of NWL’s key supply chain contractors including Mott McDonald, MWH and Stonbury.

The project involved the accessible areas of the reservoir being cleaned with the Panton McLeod Robotic floor cleaner while three new access hatches were being cut into the roof slab of the live reservoir above the inaccessible areas by Stonbury teams. Once the new hatches were complete the robotic floor cleaners used these to complete the overall clean.

Additional inspection ROV (Remotely Operated Vehicle) teams monitored the cutting operations from within the tank. Stringent procedures were used on the surface to protect water quality including dedicated equipment, tented working areas and strict adherence to hygiene codes of conduct.

This attention to detail resulted in all of the settled sediment being removed without a single

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spike in turbidity or any impact on bacteriological samples.

Gwynn Tiberio, Panton McLeod’s Operations Manager said “This is the first time that a live hatch cutting procedure has been used in conjunction with the Robotic inspection and cleaning equipment to complete such a solution.

We are delighted at how well everyone worked together to ensure the project was completed without any impact on the quality of the stored water.

She added “The award is a real honour and a very welcome recognition for the hard work and effort that went into this challenging, unique and ultimately satisfying project. I’m very proud of our teams for all they did to make this project such a success.”

Alan Willoughby, Treatment Works Manager for the site stated “Many thanks to you all, this was a fantastic effort working on a live tank”.

This project marks another example of Panton McLeod innovating to address the key challenges of their clients but they are not resting on their laurels, the team are already working with NWL on another new project, this time monitoring the water quality performance of live assets using their Dead Spot SamplingTM technology.

For more information about Panton McLeod’s services and to see some video of our underwater robotic equipment in action visit

www.pantonmcleod.co.uk

Water Industry Products & Services

instituteofwater.org.uk Comprehensive service

FEATURE:SEWER FLOODING

Thames Tideway Tunnel London’s sewer system was designed and constructed in the late 1800’s as a combined wastewater and rainwater collecting system, catering for a population up to 4 million people.

As part of the original design, sewer overflow discharge points were incorporated into the sewer network at various localities along the River Thames. The purpose of a sewer overflow is to prevent flooding of streets and people’s homes caused by an overloaded system during heavy rainfall periods.

Due to significant population growth in and around London the capacity of the sewer system is under strain. This results in sewage being discharged into the River Thames. As little as 2mm of rainfall can cause the sewer system to discharge untreated sewage into the River Thames. If a solution is not implemented, the frequency and volume of untreated sewage will continue causing further environmental damage.

and main construction will start in 2016. The project is due to be completed around 2023.

The Thames Tunnel project has numerous innovative elements to it. The approach to community engagement, tunnel alignment, tunnelling and shaft construction methods and also the logistics of utilising the River Thames as the main transport mode are clear examples of innovative solutions. In my short time at the Thames Tideway head office I experienced a culture with a clear direction and a strong sense of purpose. The approach of integrating disciplines appears to have broken down the perceived or real barriers that generally occur when a number

of organisations come together for large scale projects. This has resulted in a strong team spirit with enthusiastic drive to get things done. To me this was the most innovating element of the project and will likely lead to the delivery of a successful project.

By Jon Theobold, Environmental Manager at South East Water, Victoria, Australia

The construction of the Thames Tunnel will increase the capacity of London’s sewer system. It will provide enough storage to hold large volumes of sewage, reducing the amount of sewage going into the River Thames. This could allow for further development within London due to the increased capacity within the sewer network. Additionally the Thames Tunnel will help ensure compliance with a number of EU directives, therefore reducing the risk of significant financial penalties.

Thames Water recently submitted a Development Consent Order to the government for approval.

Over 120,000 pages in total have been submitted addressing the key risks for the project. A response is expected in the next few months. If all goes to plan, contracts will be awarded in 2015

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Bathing Waters BeachAware 2014 As the introduction of the revised Bathing Water Directive approaches like the incoming tide, Brian Back, Managing Director of Radio Data Networks (RDN) and of the Network Management Focus Group for British Water, explains how the real-time information, mitigation and other technology are transforming the way water companies monitor their assets, target investment and protect coastal waters.

“There’s lots of buzz around real-time monitoring and proactive pollution mitigation in the industry at present, but that’s because they actually deliver far more meaningful information than data logging autopsies which were the standard approach previously. The good news from our perspective, and that of the companies we work with, like Anglian Water, is it’s now widely agreed that these traditional methods don’t actually improve water quality, and the move to mitigation is gaining pace.

“The journey we have been on with Anglian Water, first using BDTs (Bulk Dielectric Transducers) and then FDTs (Flow Detection Transducers) to monitor their network has helped them to target their investment and look more closely at intermittent discharges from CSOs. That approach, as part of their investment strategy, has enabled them to make decisions with an improved level of accuracy.

Brian continued: “In the near future, I think it’s inevitable that the concept of ‘mitigation’ will enter in the specific requirements set by Ofwat.

It has been demonstrated for some time that monitoring and reporting may tick boxes but on

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its own doesn’t proactively reduce pollution.

“We hope others will follow the lead of water companies, like Anglian Water and make use of the real-time data combined with mitigation technology and strategies to make a real difference to the environment.

“Fundamentally improved water quality can only come through reducing the number of incidents, and better real-time monitoring and its ease of integration/interface with existing field controls is essential to do that.

“A good example of the benefits of real-time data is where we have sent high sewer level alarms to delay pumping at a number of locations where the sewer capacity is restricted and in the past, without it, would have lead to sewer flooding. A second example is a two-year trial with another client of RDN’s where a controllable weir valve was fitted to a storm drain that was subject to dry weather contamination from sewage and pollution from illegal private misconnections.

Again here, real-time data relating to the rate of change in level behind the weir and rainfall were used to control the opening and closing of the valve. The net result has been a substantial improvement in water quality and the reduction in pollution events for the past two years.

“We are also working on a multi-level sensor that will operate much like a FDT but will give clients a better idea of the volume spills from CSOs. While only duration is required by the Regulators, volume can be useful in some locations and ultrasonics are not always practical for a number of technical reasons.

“We also believe things like screen blinding, inlet screen monitoring, dissolved oxygen levels of outflows from works can also be monitored in real-time and added to the same network to improve efficiency further. This data when cross correlated against actual rainfall in the catchment can be used to generate meaningful alarms the instant anything goes out of the specification.”

RDN helps clients at all levels from consultancy through to the bespoke design and delivery of solutions. As well as working with Anglian Water it works alongside their other partners too, including @One Alliance, Kier MG, Claret and Barhale.

Anglian Water was the first water company to use coastal quality models to improve bathing waters, starting in the 1990s and is now the first company to use them for real time management. Dr Lucinda Gilfoyle, Anglian Water’s Coastal and Catchment Strategy Manager said: “Our region has one of the longest stretches of coastline and 48 bathing waters. They are some of the cleanest in the UK and have met European

FEATURE:SEWER FLOODING requirements for the past 12 consecutive years – something that has been achieved through a long term commitment to the coast, investing more than £300 million in our coastal network and working closely with others that also have a role in addressing coastal pollution, such as councils, the Environment Agency, landowners, businesses and homeowners.

“The UK’s coastal tourism economy generates a staggering £3 billion to the national economy, and supports a job sector which is more than the UK motor, telecoms and pharmaceutical industries, so protecting it is not only one of our business priorities but also important to many of our customers.

“Early on we recognised that innovation and information would be essential if we were to protect and improve the standards of our bathing waters and beaches, and continue to support the economies of the many coastal towns in our region.

service to stakeholders. We now have a similar system for shellfish harvesters too.

“The system would not stand-up without each of its component parts. The comprehensive coastal water quality models, developed with Intertek, provide the link between asset operation and the impact. Real-time information from Radio Data Networks’ BDT sensors are combined with the models in the clever Meniscus Calculation Engine to provide the dashboard, management reports and alerts that drive the external communication process. The system enables us to monitor our coastal assets 24/7 and provide an evidence-base to target investment right where it’s needed.

“Many different factors can impact water quality at the beach and BeachAware gives us a very clear picture of whether it’s our assets or not. It also provides insight on other factors impacting water quality at the beach and helps us direct solutions in the most effective way to improve

bathing water quality – whether that’s working with partners to fix private misconnected drains, identifying and stopping sources of diffuse pollution, such as agricultural run-off, or tackling other sources of third party pollution.

“For instance, it proved invaluable when we were working at Clacton Groyne 41 in partnership the EA, Council and Pier owner to locate the source of pollution causing poor quality samples there.

We used it to rule out our own assets and help pinpoint the true cause of pollution, which was pigeons roosting under the nearby pier.

“The next step is engaging with the many other people, businesses and organisations that do impact it.

“We’ve appointed Coastal Catchment Managers to work with local authorities, coastal communities and businesses to investigate and address issues of third party or diffuse pollution which can make all the difference to bathing water quality.

“With the new, tighter European guidelines for bathing waters it’s imperative that we all play our part in controlling coastal pollution if we are to protect the beaches and coastal economies across the UK. Everyone influences the quality of our catchment, whether that’s through their behaviour at home, management of their land or operating their business. To truly make a difference, cooperation is essential.”

“We developed sophisticated technology and marine models to understand the factors affecting bathing waters in our region. We’ve invested over £2 million to develop BeachAware, which allows us to inform beach owners when coastal assets have operated in their area and suggest whether water quality could have been affected.

“This state-of-the-art system makes us one of the first water companies to provide this kind of

Z-TECH CONTROL SYSTEMS LTD AND SIEMENS INDUSTRY EXTEND THEIR PARTNERSHIP TO OFFER THE FIRST 24HR EMERGENCY FLOWMETER RESPONSE SERVICE.

Z-Tech has worked extensively within the Water Utility Sector for the last 14 years; they offer a diverse and on occasion unique offering of services ranging from short- medium term supply of Systems Engineers, ICA Technicians, mechanical fitters through to Turnkey projects – undertaken through from feasibility studies through the documentation and compliance

handover, Maintenance and or Legacy system upgrades of client assets inclusive of all Instrumentation, Telemetry/ logger issues extending control systems lifespan.

Dale Snow from Siemens, said: “We are delighted that we are the first to offer this level of service; it comes from a long standing relationship with Z-Tech.”

Their latest solution to regulatory pressures is a new service seeing Z-Tech and Siemens able to restore water flowmeter telemetry within 12 hours and offer a nationwide 24hr emergency replacement service.

Michael Swinhoe, Z-Tech’s MD, said “This offer is designed to make life easier for the water industry and it may seem too good to be true, but I challenge you to try it out. Our 24/7 manned helpdesk is waiting for your call!”

Water network, zonal, leakage and maintenance engineers all suffer when meters go wrong. With this innovative offer from Z-Tech and Siemens, meter downtime becomes a thing of the past.

Over the past 14 years Z-Tech have replaced thousands of flowmeters in the water industry, developing a unique one-stop-shop approach from enabling to reinstatement. Teaming up with Siemens now offers unrivalled availability of meters and fittings.

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WRc PLC

28th/29th April 2015

Register to attend at: wrcplc.co.uk @wrcplc discovering and delivering new and exciting solutions that enable our clients to meet the challenges of the future #innovatorsofgrowth For For further further details details and and information information on on WRc WRc and and its its services: services: Tel: Tel: +44 +44 (0) (0) 1793 1793 865000 865000 or or visit visit our our website website www.wrcplc.co.uk www.wrcplc.co.uk

Follow us on:

Risk Free Innovation - An Oxymoron?

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“Risk” is an often used concept in the water sector - depending on your perspective it needs to be mitigated, minimised or avoided altogether.

“Innovation” is used even more, but fundamentally it cannot be risk-free, particularly with new technology. So how does the sector balance the need to minimise risk with maximising innovation?

bursts in a network. Does this failure really matter? Yes, we need failures. Without failures there is no progress, we fail to learn, we fail to change. So if you are having failures it probably means you are innovating - a useful concept when discussing progress with your manager/regulator. The biggest risk comes from doing nothing!

The main risk from innovation is that it fails to deliver; you try something new and sometimes it just does not work, whether it is a new technology for treating water or software for predicting

However, risk within the Innovation process can be managed. With new technology, you can seek independent advice on the suppliers' claims; this can be quicker and less risky than

instituteofwater.org.uk

piloting. The European Environmental Technology Verification (ETV) scheme (WRc were the first accreditation body in the UK) provides this. If a supplier has an “ETV statement” then the buyer can have confidence that it will work. WRc invested in becoming a Verification Body to help accelerate the uptake of new technology by reducing risk for the purchaser, to help the sector innovate. #innovatorsofgrowth.

To learn more about ETV and WRc, contact Ian Walker on 01793 865155; ian.walker@wrcplc; @ianw_wrc

FEATURE:SEWER FLOODING IoW Vol 183 1_2 pg Ad:IoW Half pg 01/08/2014 13:18 Page 1

Speak to us about our solutions for

Bathing Water UIDs • Hydrok CWF Storm Flush

- Storm tank non-powered cleansing system

• HydroSelf

- Flushing system for storm water retention tanks

• HydroSlide

- Non-powered flow control regulator

• Hydrok MecMex

- Self cleaning mechanical CSO screen

• ElectroSlide

- Powered level control discharge regulator

• Hydrok Peak Screen

- Static CSO screen for storm storage chambers

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01726 861900

sales@hydrok.co.uk

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SELWOOD

Going green As one of the country’s leading pump hire companies, Selwood is particularly conscious of its responsibility to the environment and takes every opportunity to implement a ‘green’ policy.

This is more easily attainable with the company’s own manufactured range of pumps. Selwood has introduced a new generation of super silent pumps recognised as some of the quietest pumps on the market today. These have been specially designed for applications in noise sensitive areas and, with noise levels as low as 58db(A) at full speed and load, are the most environmentally friendly pumps available. The units come with bunded fuel tanks as standard.

Selwood pumps also incorporates the company’s own unique Selprime self-priming system utilising a water tolerant diaphragm air pump. An environmentally friendly design that has none of the problems of oil vapour emissions and oil emulsification associated with other priming systems.

All the diesel pump engine emissions are compliant to the latest regulations and Selwood has introduced Telemetry and Auto Start systems to its super silent range, utilising both floats and ultrasonic level devices that have greatly reduced the consumption of fuel at many sites. The benefit is that the pumps only work when the flows require it and they do not need attendance as they start automatically on demand.

Selwood also has a range of hydraulic submersible pumps and these are all filled with bio-degradable oil. Selwood also uses vegetable oil in the mechanical seal chambers of its pumps.

Bio-degradable oil has also been used in ordinary plant, such as dumpers and excavators, when

Selwood ‘Silt Trap’

S100 Super Silent pump working in Poole.

specifically requested. Spill Kits are offered and supplied when required for all machines.

As an alternative to diesel and hydraulic pumps, Selwood has a range of electric driven surface pumps and will also build to specific requirements.

All new electric builds now have EFFI motors that have both environmental and tax benefits to the end user.

With regard to other environment issues, the large utility companies in particular demand that suppliers have environmental management systems in place. More and more clients are expecting companies to do their bit in respecting the environmental issues they face such as waste removal after site servicing.

As a company Selwood has undertaken a review of its environmental aspects and impacts and set targets to reduce the impacts in certain areas such as oil storage, discharges to the drains, energy savings and its carbon footprint.

The company achieved the Environmental Standard ISO 14001 in all of its branches in October 2005 to become one of the few companies in the country to hold a complete set of QHSE standards having already achieved accreditation to ISO 9001 and OHSAS 18001. Selwood is increasingly active in achieving and demonstrating sound environmental performance by controlling the impacts of its activities, products and services on the environment.

Already this year, Selwood has made a significant investment in environmental sustainable products such as interceptor trays, settlement tanks and a new product range called the Selwood ‘Silt Trap’ which breaks down sediments such as silt and sludge. In addition to these products Selwood has manufactured a filtration bag call the Selwood ‘Silt Bag’ which is a simple solution to removing suspended solids from pumped water.

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

08450 733835 www.selwood.co.uk

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MAX RECOVERY MAX SAFETY MAX EFFICIENCY MAX UPTIME S:MAX SLUDGE SCREENING Minimum operator intervention Minimum civils requirement Industry-leading screenings removal technology No requirement for holding tanks or buffering

S:MAX

PRO:DEC

D:MAX

cdenviro.com

CDENVIRO

CDENVIRO PROVIDE SLUDGE SCREENING SOLUTIONS TO LEADING UK WATER UTILITIES Since the 2010 launch of the S:MAX sludge screen into the UK sewage and waste water treatment market, CDEnviro have continued to further strengthen their position in the industry by securing their first sludge screening projects with two leading UK water utility companies.

Following a successful trial CDEnviro has recently sold an S:MAX SRU:25 sludge screen to Welsh Water, who provide over three million people with drinking water and sewage treatment services. The CDEnviro S:MAX plant will be installed at Welsh Water’s Eign site, on the outskirts of Hereford and will screen imported sludge prior to treatment.

The second recent successful coup for CDEnviro includes the provision of two S:MAX sludge screening units to United Utilities, who serve over seven million customers with drinking water and sewage treatment services, at their North West site in Leigh, greater Manchester.

The S:MAX units will screen both imported and indigenous sludge as part of the new energy generation process being installed onsite.

CDEnviro have now sold S:MAX screening removal units to 7 of the 12 major UK water utility companies (Severn Trent Water, Thames Water, Wessex Water, South West Water, Scottish Water and more recently Welsh Water and United Utilities).

The S:MAX is a portable, package screening system applied wherever there is a requirement for liquid/solid separation. The system effectively removes oversize, screenings and rag material from a variety of waste water and industrial sludge, accepts discharge directly from tankers, and offers a unique back wash system designed to ensure screens do not block with screenings material.

General Manager for CDEnviro Matt Bunting comments ‘The S:MAX represents a significant development of the technology available to the sludge and slurry screening market and we are delighted to extend this offering more recently to Welsh Water and United Utilities.

The elimination of blockages during screening is undoubtedly one of the biggest advantages and cost saving measures of the S:MAX and I’m

confident that these two leading water utility companies will reap these benefits, quickly recoup their capital investments and lead to further productivity and cost savings moving forward. Our extensive experience in the supply of classification and dewatering equipment to the global mineral processing market enables the offer of a product which ensures enhanced health and safety on site, offers operators greater operational efficiencies, maximises the potential for material recovery for re-use and minimises waste generated in the sludge or slurry treatment process.’

from slurried materials. These include food and beverage, pharmaceutical, chemical, paper & pulp and agricultural.

For more information on the S:MAX range and all other products from CDEnviro, visit www.cdenviro.com or contact CDEnviro on +44 28 8676 7900.

Designed for enhanced operational efficiency, the S:MAX system can receive feed material directly from two tankers at any one time, is capable of receiving all sludge types and there is no requirement for a reception tank and feed pump which substantially reduces CAPEX and OPEX. Moreover, the S:MAX offers minimal footprint on site, rapid deployment, quick, easy and safe access for maintenance and ultimate flexibility with a range of feed rates accommodated by the inclusion of several models within the S:MAX range..

The S:MAX screenings removal unit can be applied to process a variety of materials in the waste water treatment sector including raw sludge, pond emptying, storm screen, inlet rag screening, inlet grit screening, SAS and digester waste. The S:MAX can also be applied in industry within a range of industrial applications for the effective removal of oversize screenings

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Meet the family the fast Meet theway. family All our Eta pumps the fast way. at a glance.

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Eta keeps keeps the the world world on on the the move move Eta Our Eta pump family keeps the world on the move. And there are plenty of big reasons: Our Eta pump family keeps the world on the move. And there are plenty of big reasons: the highly efficient top-class hydraulic system. Dozens of sizes, materials and drives the highly efficient top-class hydraulic system. Dozens of sizes, materials and drives in almost any combination. And service that puts rivals in the shade. After millions of great in almost any combination. And service that puts rivals in the shade. After millions of great pumps, the new generation is here. So discover what Eta can now do for you. pumps, the new generation is here. So discover what Eta can now do for you. www.ksb.com/eta-en www.ksb.com/eta-en

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FEATURE:WASTEWATER

No.1 for ODOUR ANALYSIS odour lab

• threshold analysis • concentration analysis • hedonic tone analysis • odour characterisation • human acuity testing • odour abatement analysis • emission measurement

National Pollen and Aerobiology Research Unit at the University of Worcester

Lovibond® MD 100 Range of HandHeld Photometers now Extended The MD 100 range of photometers increases in popularity primarily due to their ease-of-use, accurate results and repeatability. The compact, ergonomic, waterproof (IP 68) design is ideal for the measurement of waste and drinking water and beverages both in the laboratory and the field.

Uniquely, the Lovibond® MD 100s take measurements with both powder and/or tablet reagents. Users no longer need to chose at time of instrument selection, avoiding limitation in options or, inadvisably, using tablet reagents in a powder specific instrument or vice versa.

Throughout the country the Lovibond® MD 100 is being used to measure parameters such as Aluminium, Ammonia, Chlorine, Chlorine Dioxide, COD, Hazen (Platinum Cobalt), Phosphate, Suspended Solids and others.

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odour threshold analysis

odour acuity testing

odour workshop training day includes acuity testing2

£85 £95 £125 per sample1 including bag

2

Recently, the team introduced two dedicated photometers for the analysis of Boiler Water and Cooling Water respectively. With one photometer to carry out all the tests associated with these industries, water treatment engineers now have a robust, compact, low-cost, reliable alternative to bulky, multi-platform test kits. www.lovibondwater.com water.sales@tintometer.com (0)1980 664800

1 excluding delivery based on a minimum of 6 people attending

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01905 362100 odour lab is a subsidiary of

www.odourlab.co.uk airspectrum.com

IoW Vol 182 1_2 pg Ad:IoW Half pg 03/04/2014 10:31 Page 1

Speak to us about our solutions for

Wastewater Treatment • Hydrok Aeration Systems

- High Efficiency Fine bubble Diffusers

• Hydrok IFASTM

- Enhanced Fixed Bed Biomass Media System

• Hydrok HyER Diffuser Liftout Grid System - Emergency Rental Aeration Solutions

• Hydrok HY-SAF

- Package Biological Wastewater Treatment Plant

• Hydrok/Microdyn-Nadir MBR

- BIO-CEL® Membrane Bioreactor Process

• Hydrok/Mecana

- Pile Cloth Media Tertiary Filtration

www.hydrok.co.uk

01726 861900

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RPS WATER

ALIGNING WASTEWATER SERVICES TO ACHIEVE TOTEX DRIVEN OUTCOMES RPS Group plc is pleased to announce the acquisition of Clear Environmental Consultants Ltd. As the water industry moves into a world focusing on Outcomes and Totex, the coming together of these two businesses strengthens RPS’ integrated service to the wastewater sector.

Delivering outcomes firmly puts the customer at the heart of the decision making process and intervention will focus on optimising benefits and service levels, rather than just delivering investment programmes. This will require long-term planning, a shift from reactive to proactive management, a better understanding of wastewater network performance through monitoring, and more evidence led decision making on a tactical and strategic level.

Cost Efficient Wastewater Modelling RPS specialise in monitoring, data analysis and operational support to improve wastewater network management. Clear has a strong reputation in sewerage hydraulic modelling, strategic wastewater planning and providing asset management and optimised solutions to Water Companies. By combining these skills, RPS delivers real commercial efficiencies to the modelling and data collection process through a onestop-shop. More importantly, RPS’ services align with the water companies’ objectives of reducing flooding and pollution incidents whilst optimising the balance between capital and operational expenditure - all vital to achieving Totex driven outcomes.

Proactive Network Management RPS is developing proactive sewer network management systems to prevent incidents (blockages, collapses, asset failure) that might otherwise affect customers, cause flooding or result in illegal discharges to watercourses.

The RPS Wastewaternet™ system will improve sewer management and maintenance through

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Evidence Led Intervention Having detailed data by low cost monitoring is only half of the story. Through RPS and Clears experience in asset management and their inhouse tools to rapidly assess data, the root cause of a problem can be confirmed with confidence.

Only by fully understanding root cause can the right intervention strategy be implemented at the right time. This may be immediate operational support to prevent a blockage causing flooding, or developing a plan for future capital investment to address network incapacity taking account of population growth and climate change, with short term mitigation to allow outcome delivery. enhanced assembly, collection, recording and presentation of sewer network data. RPS bespoke Wastewaternet™ software is following in the footsteps of RPS WaterNet™ software which has been widely adopted as a Clean Water network management tool across the UK. Using RPS’ in-house hydraulic modelling and sewerage management processes this data can then be used to: n develop and implement the most appropriate plan for outcomes and willingness to pay; n inform tactical operational or mitigation measures to improve performance and reduce response times in the short term; n target planned maintenance resulting in efficient asset management;

RPS is successfully using these approaches across the UK to: n develop proactive blockage reduction strategies through maintenance and education; n sewer rehabilitation and capital maintenance programmes prioritised on likelihood and consequence of failure; n capital investment and surface water removal programmes to reduce flooding and pollution with the time of investment optimised to account for growth and climate change; n infiltration and trade flow assessment strategies to reduce operational carbon.

n ensure capital investment occurs at the optimum time to maximise outcome improvement.

Essential to these proactive management strategies will be RPS’ expertise in monitoring and analysis of data. As the cost of monitoring gets ever cheaper, opportunities arise to increase the resolution of data collection and use this to build an enhanced picture of performance.

This is where RPS Wastewaternet™ comes into its own - allowing data trending and analysis to assess whether current asset performance is within expected tolerances - so operational and maintenance decisions are made before a cause manifests as performance failure. The rapid development of RPS’ Wastewaternet™ platform has recently proved successful on pilot catchments where real-time analysis of subtle flow and depth variations allowed operational teams to be mobilised to clear blockages and maintain deteriorating pumps before causing an incident. Through Wastewaternet™, overland flow modelling can be simulated in a matter of seconds, in response to data trends being identified, so that multiple incidents can be prioritised based on consequence or impact to the customer, allowing proactive maintenance works and optimal response times to be developed.

The exciting combination of these two businesses will allow the outcome challenge of AMP6 to be met head on.

It will ensure customer focus is top of the agenda by reducing customer contacts, deliver better value to the customer as pro-active works are cheaper than reactive responses in the long term. RPS’ investment in state of the art software, industry leading skills, and monitoring technology will ensure optimum wastewater management strategies, balancing operational and capital expenditure, can be delivered to the industry and its customers.

TES

A New Approach Traditional approaches to providing complex solutions for water and wastewater treatment projects are now considered to be inefficient and cost ineffective, both for water utilities, their investors and their customer base. This traditional model commonly involves companies specialising in contract management whilst then sub-contracting the majority of service delivery on projects; effectively providing ‘project management’ services, which has led to increased costs and poor quality service. To one multi-award winning company, TES, a new approach was required for the industry, one which has led to the company quickly becoming a major force in the UK and in International markets.

A 360o Approach Central to this new approach is the provision of a complete 360o project package of complimentary services including design, manufacture, build, installation, commissioning, project management, repair and maintenance. This removes the administratively complex and risk laden traditional approach of utility companies

having to source products and services for a single project from multiple providers, or assigning this responsibility to a project management organisation, which adds another layer of costs and administration to the delivery model. To operate this 360o approach TES also quickly developed and implemented its unique business operation model, ‘Lifecycle Engineering’, which focuses on developing effective partnerships with clients, taking time to listen client needs and providing flexible, customised solutions. A collaborative approach has provided TES clients with noticeable advantages including projects completed under budget, ahead of schedule, but to the highest safety and quality standards and commonly with additional significant improvements including plant energy efficiency savings that would be missed with a traditional multi-supplier model.

Specialist Internal Labour The majority of contractors operating in the industry are found to subcontract to external companies in the delivery of projects, increasing cost to the client, reducing the level of control for the contractor and diluting the expertise available. By contrast TES use internal resources and staff the delivery with direct labour to fulfil the requirements of a project, providing a greater level of control, improved efficiency and clear, direct communication to the client at all stages.

One Size doesn’t fit all The traditional “one size fits all” mentality has resulted, all too often, in the provision of products and services that never fully match the requirements of the project or client. The TES ethos of developing client partnerships, coupled with in-house design, process expertise

and manufacturing facilities enables TES to be flexible, responsive and innovative; providing clients with a perfect fit-for-purpose solution.

Innovation TES consider innovation to be key to the future development of the industry in order to improve inefficiencies of common solutions. They have invested heavily in the establishment of a Research & Development division, focused on new product development and the continued development of existing products. The Division shares the same operational model practiced by TES as a whole, which is working in partnership with clients to understand their specific needs and develop solutions, and innovations bespoke to them, with impressive results achieved during the past 12 months.

The impact of this new TES approach with clients is visible by their sustained levels of growth over recent years, evident in turnover increasing by 22-24% in each of the last 3 financial years and as word spreads that there is a new, modern way of providing products and services to the water utility sector look set to continue making headway in the industry.

To discuss a project with an experienced member of the TES team please contact them via 0845 557 8460 or by emailing info@tes-ni.com

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BOC UK

WASTEWATER TREATMENT – BOC LAUNCHES FAST RESPONSE SERVICE TO SUPPORT UNEXPECTED PLANT OVERLOAD SITUATIONS. Wastewater treatment plant overloads are typically caused by unexpected increases in trade influents and hot weather – when temperature rises, the rate of evaporation of water increases, increasing the concentration of solutes in the wastewater. Plant overloads are also caused by mechanical breakdown at the plant, planned maintenance, power failure or load shedding.

Such overload situations result in an increase in COD (Chemical Oxygen Demand). When wastewater treatment works are unable to manage the COD of the plant, the treated effluents from the plant do not meet the required standards, resulting in fines and bad press. The situation therefore requires immediate resolution.

A speedy solution BOC’s new Emergency Oxygenation Service offers a fast, efficient and cost effective solution for such plant overload situations. Designed specifically for municipal and industrial wastewater treatment works, the solution is based on the principle of introducing oxygen into wastewater treatment plants. By pumping 99.5 percent pure oxygen into the tank instead of air (air has 20.8 percent oxygen), the oxygen transfer rate to the wastewater is increased by over five times, enabling the plant to process increased levels of waste than would have otherwise been possible.

The solution has been engineered using BOC‘s Solvox® oxygen diffuser system. Built on an easily transportable skid, the service is a ‘plug and play solution’ that could be deployed in most UK locations in 24 hours. The solution requires no power to operate and hence can even be deployed in remote locations such as inaccessible sections of rivers and lakes, where there is no access to power supply.

Since wastewater plant overloads are usually temporary in nature, BOC offers this service at an all inclusive monthly rental cost for short periods. The added benefit of the offer is that water treatment works can reduce capital invested in additional aeration equipment and eliminate the cost of hiring and operating generators to support the equipment.

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Existing wastewater treatment solutions in the market such as air based mechanical aerators and diffusers are limited by the oxygen transfer rates these equipments are able to achieve.

When aerators and diffusers are unable to cope up with COD, other solutions such as introducing hydrogen peroxide may be considered.

Although, hydrogen peroxide is an effective solution, it is expensive. Hydrogen peroxide in water breaks down to water and oxygen to provide the oxygen necessary to support COD reduction.

The stoichiometry of this chemical reaction shows that only 32/68th of the hydrogen peroxide is converted to oxygen. In addition, industrial hydrogen peroxide is a 30 – 50 percent solution; which means that less than 250 kg in every tonne of hydrogen peroxide solution is oxygen.

In comparison, BOC’s Emergency Oxygenation Service uses 99.5 percent pure oxygen and costs less than using hydrogen peroxide to support a similar overload situation. The solution’s portable design and BOC’s national coverage also mean that the service is an effective and immediate solution for unexpected emergency plant overload situations.

For more information, call 0800 111 333 or visit www.boconline.co.uk/eos For emergency enquiries, please contact Richard Randle Application Sales Engineer – Water & Wastewater

+44 (0) 7780 492284 richard.randle@boc.com

HUBER

HUBER TECHNOLOGY DISC THICKENER AT MORETON IN MARSH STW The thickener is designed for a flow rate of 10 m3/ hr of surplus activated sludge at around 0.5 – 1.0% DS thickening it to 5%. The unit is designed to operate around 8hrs per day with minimal operator attendance.

Key features of the RoS2s Disc Thickener include: n Up to 40 m3/h throughput n Low power requirement n Two sizes available n Low maintenance The RoS2s BG1 disc thickener was installed at Moreton in Marsh STW following successful trials of the unit on several Thames Water sites and followed the first permanent disc thickener installation at Burghfield STW. The unit was delivered through the contractor Black & Veatch and was ordered in April 2007 with commissioning taking place later on in the year.

n Fully enclosed compact design For more information please contact

rh@huber.co.uk , tel 01249 765000 or view our website www.huber.co.uk

TOLL HOUSE PROJECT Huber Technology were delighted to be involved in the large Toll House project that was part of a £110m investment by Yorkshire Water to improve bathing water around Scarborough. This was an extremely high profile project for Yorkshire Water and a particularly challenging one. Yorkshire Water’s chief engineer thanked Huber for the successful completion of the installation of their ROK2 storm screens and for helping to ensure the scheme was completed on time.ROK2 Storm Screens Installation at Toll House.

High quality solutions for all municipal and industrial waste water needs.

Large and diverse product range which includes inlet screens, screenings handling, storm screens, sludge thickening and dewatering, grit removal and washing, tertiary treatment plus many more.

Customised solutions including design, manufacture, installation, commissioning and after sales service.

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ERG’s maintenance can keep your odour control plant at optimum efficiency

• Routine or planned maintenance • Refurbishment projects and upgrades • Emergency repairs

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PORTABLE VALVE ACTUATION FOR WATER AND WASTEWATER INSTALLATIONS SFC’s EasiDrive ensures safe, efficient operation Operating valves in water and wastewater installations can be a laborious and dangerous task, especially if the valves are used infrequently, corroded or have varying torque requirements.

Smith Flow Control’s EasiDrive portable valve actuator is designed specifically for these scenarios, by allowing operatives to operate valves without the need for dedicated valve actuators.

With the EasiDrive the operator has absolute control. One person can efficiently drive multiple valves with a single tool, reducing fatigue and risk of injury and resulting in major cost and time savings.

A unique feature is a ‘reaction kit’ which prevents a torque kickback, ensuring valve movement is always fully controlled and preventing operator injury and fatigue. In addition, the variable torque output feature, which prevents excessive torque being applied, ensures proper and safe valve operation at all times.

Key features of the EasiDrive: •Low cost alternative to permanent actuators •No permanent power supply required •Suitable for all climatic conditions •Wide band torque capability with variable torque adjustment as standard •Ideal for moving tight or partially-seized valves •Adaptable to any size/type of valve •Eliminates operator fatigue and greatly reduces the risk of injury •No ‘kickback’ often associated with other torque devices •Variable output torque – so no damage to valves by ‘over-torquing’ •Reduces work crew tasks to one-man operation •Fully portable – can manage banks of valves with a single drive tool EasiDrive is highly versatile and can be powered by air, electricity or battery, giving the user ultimate control over their preferred choice. It can also be custom designed to suit specific site requirements.

About Smith Flow Control Smith Flow Control is a British company specialising in mechanical valve control equipment. This includes procedural control using mechanical valve Interlocks and activity management systems, EasiDrive portable valve actuators, FlexiDrive mechanical valve linkage systems for remote and/or simultaneous valve operation and TorkDrive, torque limiting device for the effective operation of valves.

sales@smithflowcontrol.com

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GLOBAL SUPPLIERS OF QUALITY PRODUCTS & SERVICES Mobile/contract dewatering

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Mitsubishi Electric solution new £17m showpiece Llwyn Onn water treatment works The Dee Valley Water (DVW) project to build a new water treatment works at its flagship site, Llwyn Onn in North Wales, has now been completed. The £17M project was officially opened in March 2014 by the Minister for Natural Resources and Food, Alun Davies and is controlled by a Mitsubishi Electric system redundant, Q series modular PLC solution. The new works has been operational since August 2013. being designed this way as the process contains three DAF lanes, six carbon filters and six rapid gravity filters which give an inherent amount of redundancy in the process; we matched with the control system design to provide the most robust engineering solution.

The new works provides DVW with the capacity to produce 47,000m3 of drinking water per day for Wrexham and the surrounding area. In addition to the standard treatment processes, Llwyn Onn also includes an automated processing system for removing manganese, a mineral that occurs naturally in the surface water of the DVW area.

With so many people depending on a continued supply of clean water the process for selecting a reliable automation control system for the entire works was particularly stringent. In all, four automation providers, including Mitsubishi, submitted proposals which were scrutinised

by DVW and the main project contractor Black &Veatch, before the preferred Mitsubishi solution was chosen.

The majority of the subcontract supply chain for this project has been sourced from the north Wales area, including the system integrator, Tycon Automation Ltd. Tycon has an extensive knowledge of the Mitsubishi product range, having used components to complete several large water control projects in the past. Investing in the development of a large library of field proven application specific software modules meant that Tycon was perfectly positioned to provide the integration for what is a large and complex site control solution.

Process optimisation at Llwyn Onn The water treatment process consists of dissolved air flotation (DAF) clarification, granular activated carbon (GAC) filtration followed by rapid gravity filtration (RGF) and a chlorine contact tank before being pumped to a storage tank - from where it is fed into the distribution network. Although this is not the conventional process order, it is an arrangement that has been designed to work in this area, which has the additional issue of manganese to deal with.

A crucial aspect to the control system was the use of a full dual redundant PLC system. Complete with its own CPU, the secondary system is fully wired-in and tested, increasing the system

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Picture 1: Dee Valley Water’s £17m flagship water treatment works at Llwyn Onn, North Wales, is controlled from inlet-to-outlet by a Mitsubishi Electric system redundant, Q series modular PLC solution. reliability by mirroring the primary CPU so that in the unlikely event of a failure of the main CPU, power supply or base unit, the secondary system can take over within 21 milliseconds from the same control point.

Andrew Robertson, Technical Director at Tycon, ‘There were elements in the contract specification which in our opinion meant it suited the Mitsubishi hardware. Historically I believe this was a Rockwell site but Dee Valley Water were flexible in their approach and were looking for a fully redundant system. They could see that we had achieved this before with a very reliable fully redundant architecture on a larger system installed on the Isle of Man, which we arranged for them to visit, it meant that we could meet both the performance targets and the price point set for this project.

‘The pump motors are mostly controlled by variable speed drives (VSDs) which are connected using a Profibus network. We used separate Profibus networks within the MCC, with separate networks going out into the field to simplify design and increase robustness. We employed Mitsubishi Slice I/O with Profibus interfaces to manage the I/O locally in the field, which reduces cabling and installation costs and works well with the Mitsubishi PLC which will accept most fieldbus network protocols with a plug-in comms module.

‘Speed wise, and because there is a lot of digital and 4-20mA I/O (over a thousand I/O points) including flow meters, level instruments and quality instruments we segmented the Profibus networks to provide maximum redundancy and system resilience. The response time of the PLC however is far beyond what we would need for this application. PID control loops for flow control valves etc are well within the processing capability

Realising control with 1000+ I/O ‘We spoke to Dee Valley Water at length about their preferences and reliability was of paramount concern. The Mitsubishi QnPRH PLCs are designed to work in a redundant set-up and therefore met the specification from the outset. The system was designed with two processor racks and three I/O racks in the main MCC, with 1/3 of the plant on each I/O rack. The system lent itself to

Picture 2: The relative transparency of the system means that networks and communications issues right down to the I/O point for any component can be identified and any issues addressed quickly.

MITSUBISHI into the site means we can access the SCADA layer and therefore the PLC in real time and can easily interrogate the system to see what the raw code is doing and carry out any fault finding activities.

It is important with such a large program to have a logical structure which makes it easy to interrogate.’

Mitsubishi Electric QnPRH Series PLC architecture

Picture 3: The Mitsubishi QnPRH PLCs are designed to work in a redundant set-up. The system was designed with two processor racks and three I/O racks in the main MCC, with 1/3 of the plant on each I/O rack. of the CPU, with the control loops for the chemical dosing system being the most critical. For this application we are talking seconds, rather than milliseconds, which we often work with in other more dynamic higher-speed applications.

‘The Mitsubishi GX Works II software is a nice environment for us to work in, it is easy to find your way around and easy to use. We were able to use function blocks previously developed for water treatment applications by Tycon Automation Ltd, which made the job simpler to realise and enabled us to add value to the project.

The flexibility of the programming environment meant that the system architecture could be broken down into function blocks representing all parts of the plant. A remote access VPN link

The QnPRH is Mitsubishi’s most sophisticated control solution and represents the top end of the Q Series Automation Platform. It offers a high level of system redundancy which insures complete immunity to process interruptions caused by power or system failures. This is achieved by using a fully redundant architecture that duplicates processors and network links.

Hot-swap capability provides an operational level of redundancy. The solution was developed

The QnPRH is Mitsubishi’s most sophisticated control solution and represents the top end of the Q Series Automation Platform.

specifically for use in applications where downtime cannot be tolerated for reasons of equipment damage, interruption of service, penalties, or regulatory compliance.

The dual redundant CPUs (control and standby) mean that any failure of the control CPU causes immediate transfer of control to the back-up, preventing system failure or interruption.

Synchronization of up to 100,000 words of process data is possible between CPUs per scan.

Switchover time is typically around 20-40ms, ensuring a “bumpless” transfer. Because the CPUs reside on physically separate racks, the control CPU can be replaced while back-up maintains system operation. Most parts are interchangeable with standard Q Series systems which controls both purchase cost and total cost of ownership.

Ongoing system support The support agreement for the site has been revised to take into account the new plant on a 24hr and 7 day per week basis. Tycon Automation Ltd are always available for advice over the telephone, with remote interrogation of the control system being the next step. The relative transparency of the system means that networks and communications issues right down to the I/O point for any component can be identified and any issues addressed quickly; making sure service support is both fast and cost effective.

“Coming up with the best solution in close partnership, that‘s what I call Pioneering for You.”

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18.07.2014 09:20:23

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Introducing IDEXX IDEXX is a new member of the Institute of Water and is dedicated to the improvement of public health through a number of research initiatives and the use of products dedicated to water hygiene.

IDEXX is headquartered in Maine in the United States. Its research campus was purposely designed to foster an innovative spirit and creative culture throughout the company, with a working environment akin to what one might find at Apple or Google. The IDEXX HQ houses a ‘patent wall’ – a long walkway filled with plaques dedicated to the significant patents for the milestone inventions its scientists and technologists have created over the years. This tangible display of the fruits of its biotech-style research philosophy highlights its inventive spirit, which is backed up by high quality manufacturing facilities, comprehensive regulatory capabilities, and talented employees throughout its global operations.

The company’s water division helps protect water quality for an estimated two billion people every day, with its tests accepted or approved in more than 40 countries around the world. The test portfolio includes products that identify the presence of E. coli and enterococci, both of which are faecal indicators, along with opportunistic pathogens such as Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Cryptosporidium and Giardia.

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For the Europe, Middle East and North Africa regions, the Water Division’s base is in Newmarket, Suffolk, where pioneering R&D work is undertaken. It is the hub for customer and technical support, marketing, quality, administration and general management. The IDEXX Cryptosporidium and Giardia testing products are also manufactured at this site.

As well as serving existing customers at the highest level, the IDEXX philosophy and mission is to constantly strive to create the next generation of tests that detect waterborne microbes more quickly and more accurately across a spectrum of environments. From monitoring drinking water piped to millions of homes in the UK every day, to testing for potentially deadly pathogens within hospitals, IDEXX provides testing solutions to help ensure people have a safe supply of water, something that is all too often taken for granted.

The ease and simplicity of the IDEXX tests mean that they can be very easily adopted by contract microbiological laboratories, or performed by trained operatives in environments where the use of a laboratory may be impractical. In many cases, the actual hands-on time to prepare a sample is

just one minute and requires minimal laboratory equipment. For this reason, IDEXX tests are used routinely in environments such as cruise ships and oil rigs to monitor water quality.

The flagship IDEXX water testing products, Colilert® and Colilert-18, test for E.coli and coliforms and provide quantified, confirmed results in as little as 18 hours. Recently, in addition to global regulatory approvals, Colilert-18 became the new ISO standard 93082:2012.

Enterococci in drinking water can be detected accurately using Enterolert®-DW and for recreational water, the Enterolert®-E test was developed for the European market and correlates with the EU Bathing Water Directive standard method for enterococci, ISO 7899-1.

The most recent target market for IDEXX saw the launch of Pseudalert®, for 24-hour confirmed detection of Pseudomonas aeruginosa in hospital water systems. The test can rapidly detect just one organism in 100ml of water which can be an invaluable contribution to saving lives in at-risk environments. Pseudalert was originally launched in 2012 to analyse water within recreational

IDEXX facilities such as swimming pools and spas, where P. aeruginosa gives rise to problems such as “hot-tub rash” (folliculitis), and a host of other infections. Pseudalert was then adopted by the bottled water industry as a fast and effective quality control test.

For utility companies, turning off the supply of water to homes to flush or replace pipes and issuing boil notices, can lead to huge economic penalties. For hospitals where infection can spread rapidly, the need to identify problems, isolate and remediate against possible devastating consequences is crucial. It is for these reasons that IDEXX leads the world in rapid and reliable microbiological testing solutions and continues to pioneer research in new areas to ensure clean and safe water can be maintained.

THAMES WATER AND IDEXX WORKING IN PARTNERSHIP Thames Water has been using the IDEXX Colilert-18® testing system to detect the presence of E. coli and coliforms in drinking water, raw water and sewage cake for more than 15 years. Colilert-18 gives accurate and confirmed results in 18 hours for both E.coli and coliforms, in contrast to other tests that require a confirmation step and typically take two or three days. It also conforms to the new ISO definition of these microbes and recently became the revised ISO 9308-2 standard.

While it is more expensive than alternative tests, Thames’ microbiology manager Stephen Bullock believes this is more than offset by the wider benefits the method brings. ‘Colilert has been shown to pick up E.coli and coliforms in samples more accurately than alternative test methods, with negligible false positive and negatives’ he says.

Picking up contamination earlier, before it gets out into the wider water supply and reaches customers means that operators do not have to be sent out to investigate and perform costly remediation, such as the hyper-chlorination

coloration for coliforms and also fluorescence under UV light if E.coli is present.

of large sections of the distribution system.

False positives can lead to an operator being sent out unnecessarily. False negatives can be even more costly. If the test assures that all is well but E.coli was indeed present and gets out into the water distribution system, the costs of remediation will be significant, especially if a boil notice is issued. When E.coli or coliforms are detected, the decision to take corrective action can be taken promptly and with confidence. Following the corrective action, any re-tests can also be read at 18 hours, enabling the operations team to monitor the effectiveness of their remedial actions quickly.

Bullock also chooses to use Colilert-18 on all raw water samples, whether from rivers or reservoirs, because he believes the consistency this gives is important. But it’s also much more accurate and easy to use. ‘Raw water contains a lot of background flora that will also be growing,’ he says. ‘Colilert-18 is much more selective, so counting up wells on a tray is simpler, and it has less ambiguity.’ The test’s Quanti-Tray® displays wells with a yellow

Furthermore, he uses the technique on sludge cake, where it is important to show a sufficient reduction on E.coli from raw sewage before it is released, as it is used as a fertiliser and could enter the food chain. Again, Colilert-18 is able to eliminate the background flora, and just focus in on E.coli. The confidence that there will be an accurate result which is simple to interpret is particularly important here.

The batches of Colilert-18 have a 15 month shelf-life, in contrast to agar plates with a two-week shelf-life. Bullock chooses to buy two batches a year. As well as ensuring supply chain security, this enables him to make a QC chart for that test that will be good for the whole six months. ‘I know that any out-of-spec test results are highly unlikely to have been caused by the test media, as it has a robust history of good performance’ he says. ‘With other media, the short shelf-life adds variability to a method’s performance, and there is not that long-term assurance.’

Another advantage is that IDEXX takes full ownership of the entire test process, unlike other test suppliers. ‘If any element of the methodology falters, whether it’s the equipment or we get an abnormal result we can’t explain, they will always help, whether it turns out to be their problem or not,’ Bullock says. ‘They take accountability and support us because they understand our value as a customer.’

® Registered trademark of IDEXX Laboratories, Inc. or its affiliates in the United States and/or other countries. © 2014 IDEXX Laboratories, Inc. All rights reserved.

To learn more about IDEXX products and services, please visit http://www.idexx.co.uk/water/water-testing-solutions.html Or contact wateruk@idexx.com or call 01638 676800

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AVK LAUNCHES NEW CLEARWAY HYDRANT

AVK UK Ltd has been the leader in the design and manufacture of British Standard compliant fire hydrants for over 30 years. Over the past five years, a requirement has developed in the UK market for a hydrant with a direct throughbore access to the live water mains below to allow greater flexibility in operational use.

AVK launched the S29/90 Clearway hydrant in 2009, meeting many of the requirements of the market at that time.

Today the market has developed further with the demand for various ancillary products to be used in conjunction with the throughbore design to help monitor flows, pressures, cleaning system, etc.

Therefore, AVK took the decision to redesign its hydrant and incorporate many additional innovative new features.

As such we are pleased to announce the launch of the S29/91 Clearway hydrant that is BSI certified, compliant with Regulation 31 (WRAS approvals), whilst at the same time incorporates a connection for data logger which does not interfere with the operational aspect of the hydrant.

AVK invited one of the largest water utility users of throughbore hydrants and their area fire brigades to the launch of the product at our UK factory in Corby, to review the new hydrant and the technical improvements made to the product. The quality and fast delivery aspects of the new Clearway product that is 100% manufactured here in the UK were high on the agenda as well as the mode of operation, giving secure, consistent operational flows via the outlet.

AVK were able to demonstrate the quality procedures utilised in the manufacture to substantiate extended field service life as well as the significant flow rates achievable via this style of hydrant. The paint procedures demonstrated that every hydrant is tested for holiday free coatings internally, to ensure the protective, hot applied fusion bonded epoxy coating was uniformly applied

to deliver long term corrosion protection of the asset.

The integral data logger connection point (a first for the UK market and currently the only BS750 compliant hydrant to offer this option) enables utility operations to monitor their networks whilst at the same time keeping the hydrant operational for emergency use by the fire brigades, proved of interest to all parties.

AVK also offers robust security devices to prevent unauthorised use of the hydrant and to overcome the growing issue of hydrant abuse. This easily installed and adaptable accessory is now being extensively used throughout the UK water industry.

The UK Water industry can expect AVK to continue to develop their fire hydrant range to meet the changing demands of its customers.

For further information on the above range of hydrant please contact Graham Charnley AVK UK Ltd.

E: grch@avkuk.co.uk

THE NEW CLEARWAY (S29/91) UNDERGROUND FIRE HYDRANT

NEW PRODUCT

FROM AVK

AVK, the market leading innovator, manufacturer and supplier of hydrants in the UK since 1979, is pleased to launch its new throughbore hydrant.

• Full, unobstructed DN80 bore.

• BS 750 Kitemark and WRAS / Reg 31 compliant.

• 100% Holiday free internal coating.

• Optional data logger connection allowing hydrant to remain in service during measurement.

• Central placement within the standard chamber allowing full access to hydrant.

• Security device option available to prevent tamper.

• Design allows use of standard bolt sets.

• Control of flow during operation of hydrant.

• Replacable stem seals under pressure.

• Made in the UK, available with the full AVK warranty.

BS750

EXPECT...

LASTING INNOVATIONS www.avkuk.co.uk

Northampton Office

8 Rushmills, Northampton, NN4 7YB England, UK. Tel: +44 (0) 1604 601188 Fax: +44 (0) 1604 604818

FEATURE:PIPELINE TECH beyond are still in perfectly good working order.

Beyond the inherent qualities offered by ductile iron, its service life is clearly dependent on the quality of its external coating system against soil aggressivity. Proven research has shown that up to an estimated 84 per cent of the service life of an iron pipe is determined by its external coating1. With this in mind, Saint-Gobain’s investment on research and development focusses on enhancing ductile iron pipe coating systems.

Saint-Gobain has developed BioZinalium®, a protection system that includes the enhancement of copper, reducing the risk of corrosion and impacting positively on the durability of ductile iron pipes, equating to a longer service life and the minimising of leakage possibilities.

Jointing the leakage issue

Finding a watertight solution to leakage The ability to better manage water supplies is becoming increasingly important as demand for water continues to escalate. Safeguarding against future water shortages is not just about producing enough water to meet demand. Equally as important is the need to control the amount of water that is lost in transit between the point of production and the end user.

Olga Luengo-Gonzalez, Marketing Manager at Saint-Gobain PAM UK, discusses this issue and why it is essential that pipe solutions that minimise leaks are specified.

With expected water loss from the industry’s supply network running at around 3,000 megalitres a day in 2015, improvements in leakage rates need to be addressed and changes made sooner rather than later. Losses attributable to water leakage are a major concern in any water network. Even a small leak could potentially result in the loss of thousands of litres of water if left undetected.

Reducing leakage remains a key priority for all water companies and it is therefore critical to examine and fully evaluate the most cost effective long-term solutions available in the market.

Since its introduction in the 1960s, ductile

iron has established itself as the leading pipe network material for specifiers looking for durability, performance, sustainability and cost-effectiveness. However, in recent years it has sometimes been overlooked in favour of other materials perceived to be more modern which are being used to replace older iron pipeline systems.

So, how can ductile iron pipelines help in the war against leakage?

Joints are particular weak spots in a pipeline if they are not correctly made. Ductile iron is well known for having jointing systems that are easy to install.

They require no special equipment or conditions, and minimum supervision levels, yet they are very effective. Water tightness is achieved in all circumstances and the performance of the joint is well maintained over very long periods of time.

Saint-Gobain PAM UK has also developed an on-site training programme, available to all its customers, to support contractors with the installation of the pipes and to share best practice.

Tackling leakage This is a very important issue that needs to be carefully tackled. With water demand increasing in the UK, the problem of water leakage will become even more pressing.

The durability of ductile iron pipe systems stems from a combination of its exceptional mechanical properties, the leaktightness of its joints used and the resistance to soil and backfill damage provided by its external coating systems.

When it comes to whole-life cost, ease of installation, life-span and performance, ductile iron offers a clear advantage in the war against leakage.

1. Mathematical forecasting model used to calculate the life expectancy of a Natural C40 pipe for a given diameter (DN150) and soil conditions (2500 Ohm•cm).

Durability The average rate at which drinking water pipelines are renewed is around 0.6 – 0.7 per cent per year. This means that a pipeline laid today, taking into account the currently observed pace of investment, needs to last for around 150 years.

The durability of iron has been acknowledged for several decades and in many hydraulic systems, iron pipe systems that are 150 years old and

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GPS PE PIPE SYSTEMS

NEW PROTECTA-LINE CONTINUES GPS’S BLACK CORE INNOVATION GPS, the UK pioneer of black core polyethylene pipes, has continued to invest in product development with the launch of ‘New Protecta-Line’, a durable, co-extruded PE barrier pipe with a black core.

The move follows the successful launch of New Blue by GPS in 2012, the first co-extruded PE pipe with a black core to be manufactured for the UK market. The arrival of ‘New Yellow’ from GPS earlier this year, continued the company’s strategy of developing functional, black core pipes with lower embedded carbon and development of New Protecta-Line is aligned to that strategy, providing a full range of specification options for drinking water installations.

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Comments Dominic O’Sullivan from GPS: “Our ‘New Blue’ range of pipes for the water industry is now fully embedded in numerous utilities improvement schemes throughout the UK and we wanted to ensure that the same level of offering was available for installations where there is a possibility of contamination.

“Protecta-Line was the first barrier pipe system to be launched in the UK and our focus on developing co-extruded black core pipes for a diverse range of applications continues GPS’s tradition of innovation. It will also help the water industry reduce its carbon footprint, streamline the supply chain and manage raw material consumption more effectively.”

Production of black core pipe generates less waste than comparable systems and uses a lower carbon manufacturing process, helping to reduce the environmental impact of the overall project. With the sector now preparing for the next round of infrastructure projects when AMP6 begins in 2015, the latest GPS black core pipe

will answer demand for lower embedded carbon across all aspects of a scheme.

Dominic O’Sullivan continues: “PE is a flexible and durable material with a service life of at least 100 years. The black core enhances that sustainability still further and New Protecta-Line will aid viability of drinking water installations, even on heavily contaminated former industrial sites.”

New Protecta-Line is available in PE100 in all standard sizes ranging from 90mm to 355mm.

Protecta-Line PE80 pipes in sizes ranging from 25mm to 63mm will continue to be manufactured with a blue core as a means of distinguishing between the two material specifications.

FEATURE:PIPELINE TECH

Working in the spotlight demands attention to detail Water pipeline infrastructure services specialist, Fastflow, is stepping up its efforts to ensure its people are ambassadors for the business, clients and the industry.

Every one of the company’s sixty teams carrying out work for clients such as Northumbrian Water, Scottish Water and Anglian Water are being briefed about what Business Standards Director, Keith Gold, calls: “Working in the spotlight.”

“Alongside the introduction of hand held, real time communications technology and modern working methods, the impression made by our people on the communities in which they work is probably the key ingredient for future success,” he says.

The initiative follows the introduction of a Good Neighbour scheme – through which workers are rewarded with Achievement of Corporate Excellence (ACE) payments and certificates for positive customer feedback – and investment in vehicle technology which aids safer, more efficient driving.

“Customer expectations have never been higher and as our clients’ representative in the public domain, we have to match that expectation,” adds Gold: “We are becoming increasingly aware that it is not enough to simply do the job.

“It goes much further than this – it’s about attitude and behaviour. Our reputation can be damaged by wayward driving on the way to a

Fastflow is working to present a friendlier face to customers

Fastflow at work, keeping the water supplies flowing burst or simply by a bit of careless parking when we arrive.

“It’s important that our teams always remember this. They are, in effect, performing in front of an audience. An audience that expects performance that is not just effective but is also delivered in the right manner. That is why we are briefing everyone to remind them that we work for highprofile clients who view reputational value as a key business goal.

“As ‘front line’ supply chain partners we are in a position where we can have a positive

influence on stakeholders’ perceptions of our clients. Equally, if the conduct or appearance of our teams, vehicles and sites provides a poor impression, this can reflect badly on the client.”

That is why Fastflow Pipeline Services, which has worked for almost 23 years on UK and European water infrastructure contracts, puts such effort into encouraging the right behaviours. The ‘Working in the Spotlight’ campaign is just one of the ways it promotes combining the right actions with the right attitude. As Shakespeare put it: “All the world’s a stage…”

Keith Gold with one of Fastflow’s site teams celebrating the award of a Northumbrian Water GEM (Going the Extra Mile) trophy instituteofwater.org.uk

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With Weholite

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NIVUS Pipe Sensor for potable water Fully integrated data The NivuSonic transmitter fully integrates analog and digital outputs to SCADA, via 4-20mA, modBus or profibus as preferred, with local flash card storage too.

Remote maintenance, data transfer and diagnostics available using NIVUS state of the art telemetry options.

The innovation behind the product

Does your EMF meter need replacing ?but you cannot shut down the flow The NIVUS Pipe Sensor was designed specifically to provide highly accurate flow measurement for potable water mains. At NIVUS we understand the often prohibitive high cost and days of disruption replacing an existing Electro Magnetic Flow Meter can present. We offer a much greener, cost effective solution that works.

Fitted without need to shut down the flow delivers innovation in both technology and installation. The Pipe Sensor (insertion flow meter) is compact by design, with a one size sensor for full pipe applications from DN 200, designed and manufactured to deliver a low carbon footprint throughout the lifecycle cost.

The standard push in Pipe Sensor designed for up to 16 bar, and the screw-in sensor for up to 80 bar. Developed to meet Health & Safety standards is our unique extraction tool designed for the

Fitted live under pressure

Quick & Easy installation Using a standard BSP fitting and ball valve, live tapping the pipe under pressure will see sensors installed and fully operational in hours not days. Using sensors set in a diagonal or V shape measurement path, the NIVUS ultrasonic transit time, or ‘time of flight’ measurement technique delivers accuracy comparable with the EMF. NIVUS provide a comprehensive DN range of robust stainless steel pipe sensor mounting systems that provide a high pressure seal around the entire pipe circumference. controlled removal of the Pipe Sensor for pipes under pressure. When cost and time savings are paramount as is accuracy of data, the Pipe Sensor is increasingly the preferred choice for the validation and/or replacement of Mag Meters.

n

No interruption to water supply

n

No turbidity issues

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Accuracy ±1 %

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Installed in under 3 hours

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Removable for easy servicing

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Robust

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Reliable

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75 % TOTEX savings

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80 % Carbon savings

Independent Evaluation Working closely with major Water Utilities for large scale deployment of our technology across the drinking water network has sparked significant interest in the wider adoption of the Pipe Sensor as a proven alternative to the Mag meter.

Highly accurate The NivuSonic measurement principle is based on detecting the transit time or ‘Time of Flight’ of ultrasonic signals between two sensors. Simply the transit time in the flow direction is shorter than it is against the flow. The calculated flow is indicated directly on the large LED display.

Contact: Alison Southwood Regional Sales & Innovation Manager 01926 632470 / 07976 930 014 alison.southwood@nivus.com

No Need to Shut Down the Flow

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KIER MG PREVENT DISRUPTION OF ELDERLY

BY USING KOBUS PIPE PULLER Kier MG, conscious of SIM ratings, have recently been assisting South West Water to improve theirs with the use of innovative technology on an estate for the elderly in Kingsbridge, Devon.

The project had caused major issues for planners as leaking water pipes were causing problems for residents. Various ‘spot fixes’ were done before a decision was made to renew. The challenge was to replace the pipes without damaging surrounding electricity, gas, fibre optic and street lighting infrastructure which ruled out traditional moling due to strike risk. Open cut would also prove difficult as access to the estate was required on a 24 hour emergency basis.

Nigel Burns, Area Manager at Kier MG, came up with the solution of using one of the company’s KOBUS Pipe Pullers – an inventive system for removing and replacing pipes easily, in one single action. A team was put on the sensitive project with instruction to minimise disruption to the customers.

On average, four connections a day of 8m were replaced by the team, with each customer being off water for an agreed 30 minutes only. Many of

sanctioned with the KOBUS Pipe Puller being stipulated for use.

The award winning Puller is being increasingly used by successful contractors to replace lead, uPVC, copper, galvanised and steel pipes which were previously open cut due to the risk of moling as the only option.

They have found that not only does this save them money and liability but the customer satisfaction increases as traffic management and time on site is significantly reduced. the connections had repair joints on them that were also pulled out as part of the continuous process as new polyethylene was installed.

The project proved such a success that not only were the Kier team regularly rewarded with teas and coffees from the interested residents, a further scheme of 168 connections was also

The old pipe material is also removed from the ground for re-cycling which provides an additional off-set saving.

Nigel Burns said: “The Pipe Puller is proving an increasingly popular way, with both our teams and end users, of replacing previously awkward services where open cut was our only option.” www.kobuspipepuller.com

RADIUSPLUS DELIVER UK FIRST 250X250MM ELECTROFUSION EQUAL BRANCH SADDLE

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Pipeline services specialists RadiusPLUS have successfully carried out the first installation of their ground-breaking 250 x 250mm MiniMuss equal branch saddle on an existing potable water main feeding approximately 3,000 properties in the Severn Trent Water area of Coppenhall near Stafford.

equal tee installations. The branch saddle can be installed whilst the pipeline is under pressure, with no requirements for expensive and time consuming flow stopping operations and zero interruption to water supply, which helps Severn Trent Water achieve their ‘Always On’ commitment to their customer.

This exciting innovation offers a size for size under pressure connection to lateral pipelines and is the cost effective alternative to standard

Tim Randle, Radius’s development technician who has been working on perfecting the 250 x 250mm branch saddle explained: “we’ve developed a fitting with enhanced features to facilitate installation in confined and congested spaces. We’ve come up with a new slimline fitting design which offers a first-class solution for branch connections whilst retaining maximum fusion integrity”. RadiusPLUS’s Head of Operations Dave Sykes added: “this is another exciting UK first development for RadiusPLUS and great news for our gas and water utility customers. Traditionally, where network analysis specifies a full bore connection, the only option available was to carry out a flow stopping operation, construct a by-pass and weld a large tee with all the other associated fittings.

Our new MiniMuss equal branch saddle offers network operators a solution for under-pressure

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MIDLANDSAREANEWS

Midlands Area Annual Dinner & Dance

By Natalie Akroyd

Over 100 Industry Professionals and their guests attended the Midlands Area Dinner and Dance in Stratford-upon-Avon on 11th April to celebrate the end of a successful year of events and welcome our incoming President, Leah Fry, Distribution General Manager from Severn Trent Water.

Guests at the black tie event were treated to a fine meal, before the hand over of Office from the outgoing President, Simon Cocks. Additionally, it was announced that Sarah Williams will take over the role as Secretary, as Clive Ingram steps down from the Committee. We took the opportunity to thank Clive for all of his hard work over the years, and also to thank several other Committee members who have had to stand down over this last year. Natalie Akroyd will continue in the role

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of Chair and Gill Wood will continue in the role of Treasurer this year.

The companies represented at the evening all kindly donated some great quality prizes, which ranged from an IPad to several bottles of Whiskey, to a camera. Thanks to the generosity of those in attendance, we raised an incredible ÂŁ860 and the winner of the raffle chose Anthony Nolan as the charity to receive this donation.

We were then treated to a live performance from the rather youthful (well, compared to most of us!) band The Shenanigans. The guests found their enthusiasm infectious and the dance floor was full the whole night long!

I would like to extend our thanks to everyone who supported this event, making it such a success.

EASTERNAREANEWS

NON DOMESTIC RETAIL COMPETITION OF WATER AND SEWERAGE

Peter Simpson, Chief Executive of Anglian Water

Leadership Seminar Peter Simpson, Chief Executive of Anglian Water gave his personal insight into the topic of leadership in a breakfast seminar held in July to Eastern Area members. Peter took the audience through what it means to be an effective leader and the need to adapt both your management and leadership ‘tool kit’ dependent on the context of the environment, organisation and situation in which you are operating. The presentation

included experiences from Peter’s own career as well as the key elements he considers vital for creating a sense of community, authenticity and excitement to drive performance. Peter also explained the value of scenario planning for setting leadership strategy in light of a the range of possible future business environments that we might see. The event concluded with a question and answer session with the audience.

Deja vu or what?

The introduction of nonhousehold competition from April 2017 is one of the key reforms under Governments Water bill and represents probably the most significant change that the modern day Water Industry has seen since Privatisation.

Held at Anglian Water’s Central Laboratories, Paul Fry from OpenWater - the high level group responsible for the delivery of the Governments vision - gave Eastern Area members a flavour for what this reform will mean to Water Sector. Paul guided the audience through outlining the key challenges of non-household customers being able to select their choice of water provider, the role of Open Water in preparing the UK for the necessary changes to enable market reform and, a view of what the future Water Industry could look like.

We even proved that we can arrange a drinking session in a brewery – for the second year.

Following on from our successful day out last year, we went back for another go, and even the weather was as good as last year, with the hottest day of the year being recorded, adding to the thirst in the tap room after the tour.

Once again the tour around the Greene King brewery in Bury St Edmunds demonstrated that brewing and water processing have a common heritage, and just what can be achieved with the application of technologies common to the UK water industry.

The net difference these days is that beer is considerably more expensive than water, something that water company shareholders might look at enviously, but then HM revenue and Customs don’t add a levy on water.

The evening was completed by a buffet in the grounds of the brewery, in good company and with a selection of Greene King’s finest ales at hand.

Paul Fry, Anglian Water’s Market Reform Implementation Manager and member of OpenWater

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SCOTTISHAREANEWS

IOW VISIT TO FORTH CROSSING EDUCATION CENTRE MAY 12TH 2014

Charity Golf Day raises £1200 for Parkinsons Scotland The Scottish Area Golf Charity day was held in glorious sunshine on 18th June at Ratho Park Golf Club, Edinburgh. As usual the game of the day was a Texas Scramble. A full compliment of 10 four balls teed off on this beautiful Lothian course as the temperature rose.

the raffle to donate toward research into finding the cause and a cure.

Expanded Ltd team was there to defend their title, along with regulars WGM Engineering (2 teams), Crown House Technologies, Process Plus and ABB. Newbees WCA, Hydrosave and ABV (2 teams) also challenged for the cup.

And the winner is……………… WCA; Kevin Haggart, Craig Dunsmore, Allan Smith and David Illingworth. Well done lads! The trophy has been engraved and is now pride of place in Kevin’s office. Hopefully we will see you all again next year.

A great day was had by all and some fantastic golf was played (and some not quite on target – first time I had to duck at the car park at the first tee and shout FORE!!). After some light refreshments to cool down and a nice 2 course meal I reminded everyone why we were there.

Parkinsons is a progressive neurological condition that has no cure, only drugs to slow down the affects and the cause is unknown. These can range from motor skills affecting walk and tremors to thought processes such as memory or word selection to depression, anxiety and dementia.

The symptoms are not the same for everyone. One person in 500 has Parkinsons (127,000 people in the UK). We raised £1200 between the golf and

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Thank you to all who took a four ball and who attended and to all the company’s for donating a prize for the raffle. It is very much appreciated.

On 12th May, a group of around 20 Institute members and guests attended a presentation given by Ewen Macdonell, the Engineering Liaison officer for the Forth Crossing Bridge Constructors. We were shown the extensive, purpose-built auditorium that was one of the first completed aspects of the project and were given time to view the montages and extensive information boards. Although the previous group had been a school party, the presentation was pitched for a technical audience which was very informative and allowed all present to become familiar with the whole project. A lively Q&A session followed and after a short presentation

by Area President Rob Mustard, the event concluded.

Begun in 2009, the winning bid of £790m was finalised in April 2011 and work began in earnest later that summer. By February 2013, both approach road upgrades were complete both on budget & ahead of schedule. The scale or the whole project and relative speed compared with historical technique of its predecessors was very enlightening to see. Indeed although many of the caisson work is identical to that used on the Forth Rail bridge in 1883, as Ewen noted in the Q&A, the successes the Health & Safety culture even in the past 30 years has meant that there have been no accidents at all.

Some comments include: “Good to get insight into successful major infrastructure projects outwith of Water Industry” “Scale of project as undertaken by collaborative approach is very impressive” “Contract selection process seems to be delivering quality and local employment” Extensive information is available here: http://www.transportscotland.gov.uk/ project/forth-replacement-crossing

NORTHERNIRELANDAREANEWS

INSTITUTE OF WATER NI AREA VISIT TO CRUMLIN ROAD GAOL 13TH MAY 2014

By Carmel Bradley Area Treasurer Fifteen members of the Institute of Water NI Area visited the Crumlin Road Gaol in Belfast on 13th May 2014.

through to the political segregation of republican and loyalist prisoners and also about why the decision was taken to close the prison.

The Crumlin Road Gaol dates back to 1845 and closed its doors as a working prison in 1996.

It was designed by Charles Lanyon who based the layout of the prison to that of Pentonville Prison in London. After extensive renovations the gaol has re-opened as a visitor attraction and conference centre. The group were given a very informative and entertaining tour of the prison and heard about the history of the site from when women and children were held within its walls

During the tour, the group were taken from the section that prisoners would have entered and been registered into the gaol right through to the execution cell where the majority of the 17 men that were condemned during the lifetime of the prison were hanged.

The group particularly enjoyed visiting the underground tunnel that was used to connect the gaol to the Crumlin Road Courthouse, the Governor’s Office and the holding cells – it was

particularly interesting to see how small the holding cells were & the height of the ceilings!

The tour followed through to the circle and wings and heard about some of the former inmates that were detained within the prison. This was followed by a visit to the condemned man’s cell which was very thought provoking before being shown (in surprisingly close proximity!) the execution cell.

A very enjoyable site visit was finished off by a lovely Indian meal in the Mumbai restaurant in the Cathedral quarter.

INSTITUTE OF WATER NI VISIT TO BELFAST TRAFFIC INFORMATION CONTROL CENTRE On Thursday 12th June 2014 the Northern Ireland Branch held an open day visit at the Traffic Information Control Centre (TICC) in Belfast.

The TICC boasts an impressively large split viewing screen that displays immediate views of many of the cameras around Belfast including the arterial routes into and out of the city. This provides a visible early warning for expected and unexpected traffic build ups, allowing the staff at the TICC to take counter measures to mitigate any negative impacts, such as reorganising the traffic light signaling sequence (often by as little as one second) to alleviate the flows and driver headaches. The presentation was followed by a question and answer session which proved unusually popular.

With 121 CCTV cameras focused on Belfast city and surrounding areas, the centre is the focal point for all the travel data collation and congestion resolution in Northern Ireland.

Operated by Transport NI, a new Government body which has replaced DRD Roads Service, the centre has been at its current location since the mid 1980’s and is manned by several full time staff. It also hosts BBC Radio Ulster traffic / travel reporters on a daily basis who report any travel related problems in Northern Ireland to their listeners directly from the premises.

An interactive and informative presentation was hosted by Laura Hamill and Michael Davison from Transport NI and who are based at the centre full time. In this they detailed the largely unknown role of the TICC, its daily impact on the lives of anybody travelling by car in Belfast (and the whole of Northern Ireland), by ensuring that traffic flows as freely as possible throughout the country and primarily in a city which was recently branded as the most congested within the UK.

After the presentation there was a tour of the premises that allowed the visitors to play with some of the cameras (zooming in and out) and facilitated the opportunity to chat with some members of TICC staff including the BBC Radio Ulster traffic and travel presenter Ann Jordan.

The evening was rounded off with a visit to the nearby “Ox” restaurant in Belfast and all agreed that the whole event had been a success on many levels.

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SOUTHWESTAREANEWS

Keep Bristol Moving 27 members of the Institute of Water and the Pipeline Industries Guild were treated to two presentations around the Bristol Code of Conduct for Street works and Road works.

Setting the scene and chairing the evening, Bristol Waters Street works and Partnership Manager Simon Bennett explained how a chance meeting in his local newsagent with a councillor provided an opportunity for Bristol City Council and the Utilities to design a code which will help keep Bristol moving.

The new Code of Conduct agreed by the city council, Bristol Water, Wales & West Utilities (gas), Wessex Water Services and Western Power Distribution (electricity) goes over and above the existing legislation.

It’s an alternative to the costly formal Permit Schemes and lane rental used in other parts of the country. The code has encouraged all works promoters to take a collaborative approach to reduce inconvenience to road users.

Duncan Venison, Network Manager for Bristol City Council explained in detail what the code covers and more importantly how it’s performing so far.

Under the voluntary code the utility companies and Bristol City Council will: • share plans well ahead so the council can co-ordinate essential street and road works at the same time

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• work at the same or similar locations together as much as possible to avoid lengthy, consecutive works • strive to work at times that minimise disruption and disturbances • put up notices/signage at least two weeks before major works start and notify local businesses • keep use of temporary traffic lights during works to a minimum Duncan added “the code lists limited work corridors that will lessen the impact on bus routes and journey times by limiting the number of works taking place on any given route”.

Already Bristol has seen a reduction in both fixed penalty notices and section 74 over runs as well as a reduction in extensions and early starts! We have also saved 96 days of highway occupation by working together!

Simon also added “This Code demonstrates that self regulation in street works and road works is the best way forward. Once this code proves successful, it can become a model for others to use instead of the financial and administrative burden of permits or lane rental schemes” At the launch of the code in January 2014, Bristol Mayor George Ferguson said, “Streetworks are essential to both repair and modernise our utility services, but we all know they can be a headache, particularly in terms of frustration and delay to travel. I’m delighted

that the four utility companies have been so open and willing to join the city council in drawing up the Street and road works Code of Conduct to co-ordinate works more efficiently.

It’s a win win. Utility companies can use their time on site more effectively and it’s good for all of us because it keeps disruption to a minimum and our roads and public transport moving more smoothly.” In conclusion the code enhances current NRSWA notice system, written by street works people and not politicians, promotes collaboration and joint working, reduces highway occupation and has been quick and inexpensive to instigate.

The 2nd presentation of the evening came from Stephen Lobley ,Compliance Adviser (Systems, CDM & External Workstreams) for Wessex Engineering & Construction Services, who was looking at how joint working can affect CDM and safety on site. Communication again was key when it came to site demarcation, control of access and welfare. Any joint working sites will need communication, accountability and a robust audit trail. Stephen added that each utility work activity is a project in its own right and shared a couple of examples of how it should work.

Our thanks go to both Duncan and Stephen for their excellent presentations and to Bristol Water for sponsoring the buffet and hosting the event. It was also good to know that a 5th utility in Virgin Media has recently signed up to the code.

SOUTHEASTAREANEWS

Peacehaven Visit In 2011 the South East Area visited Southern Water’s Peacehaven Wastewater Treatment Works.

At the time, the £300 million site was under construction and was part of Southern Water’s aim of providing cleaner seas in Sussex.

The site now fully operational ensures that the 95 million litres of wastewater produced each day by Peacehaven, Telscombe Cliffs, Saltdean, Rottingdean, Ovingdean and Brighton and Hove are treated to EU standards.

We therefore decided that it would be a good time to return to the site to see the difference it has made.

The first difference noted when we turned up on site was the rather large grass roof! This living green roof covers an area of around 18,000m², the equivalent of three football pitches and was constructed to ensure the site blended into the downland landscape.

Following the safety briefing members were split into 2 groups for a detailed tour of the works with staff on hand to answer questions. The tour

included the settling tanks, filter beds, pumping mains and the extensive odour control system that extracts and treats all smells linked to the treatment processes on site. We even were allowed on the grass roof.

For those who had attended the site 3 years earlier it was really interesting to see the difference between the construction site and the operational site. For the first timers there was still much to take away from the visit.

A big thank you must go to Southern Water for allowing us to attend the site.

THAMES TUNNEL EVENT South East Area members were given the unique invitation by Thames Water to visit the construction site of the Lee Tunnel.

The £635m Lee Tunnel will prevent more than 16 million tonnes a year of sewage from overflowing into the River Lee, a tributary of the River Thames. Construction work was recently completed on the tunnelling part of the project, which is as much as 80 meters deep, running for over four miles under east London, from Abbey Mills pumping station near the Olympic Park to Beckton sewage treatment works. This is the first of the two London Tideway Tunnels, which will collectively capture an estimated 32 million tonnes of sewage overflows each year.

John Clark-Hughes (Senior Construction Manager, Project Management Team) welcomed us to the site and gave a presentation outlining the history of the tunnel and the work completed to date. We were then showed a video that showcased the building work that has taken place and how various stages of the tunnel had been constructed.

WaterAid This year’s adventure took us back to Wales to climb Pen Cerrig-calch in the Brecon Beacons. Whilst the majority of the team arrived Friday afternoon so they could wake up to the B&B’s deliciously cooked fried breakfast, for others it was an early start from Bristol following the Presidents Dinner!

The weather looked ominously bad as we departed for the base of the mounatin and after 10 minutes the feeling was this could be a wet climb. However thankfully the rain stopped and the rest of the climb was undertaken in what could be described as ‘good’ weather for Wales!

Upon reaching the summit the team found an ideal spot for lunch and to take the customary photos.

Photo of the team at the summit and our one of the walkers who joined us for lunch

We even had time to make friends with some of the other walkers we met on the day!

John then led us to a viewing platform where we could see the construction site and the tunnel shafts. From the viewing platform it was clear to see the extent of the project and the benefits that the tunnel will offer once completed.

After the site tour members were allowed to tour the visitors centre and ask John and the team any questions.

A big thank you to Thames Water and to the Lee Tunnel Team for allowing us to visit the site

The evening was spent having a well earned rest in the local pub, the Skirrid Mountain Inn. It was only after we had settled down with the drinks that we found out it is the most haunted pub in Wales!

All in all it was another successful adventure. Over £3000 was raised for WaterAid which took the grand total to over £13,000.

This effort is due to the generosity of everyone who has sponsored the team over the 4 years and the Area would like to sincerely thank everyone involved for their continued support.

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WELSHAREANEWS

BIODIVERSITY – WHAT’S OUR DUTY?

An interesting and informative lunch and learn session was held at DCWW’s Nelson office. The first speaker, Dusitaporn Thomas (Sustainable Development and Climate Change Manager at DCWW) kicked off the event with a breakneck paced insight into the legislation and risks that Utility and construction companies have when planning routine work and delivering schemes in areas such as SSSI, National heritage, and those areas containing protected animal species.

BRETTON WTW COAGULATION AND LABS VISIT The event started by a technical presentation held over lunch followed by a site visit.

Ben Marshall, Process Scientist, covered the new automatic coagulant dosing system recently installed at Bretton WTW which controls the dose by measuring dissolved organic carbon(DOC) in the raw water. The system improves the reaction time to increases in raw water DOC levels, for example following heavy rainfall, and helps maintain the removal of contaminants and bacteria by automatically increasing the coagulant dose when raw water quality deteriorates. The dose is also reduced automatically when raw water quality is good which is hoped will give significant cost savings.

Ben went through the use of different tables and models to determine the optimum coagulant dosing levels and cost for Bretton WTW.

Phillippa Pearson presented her experience of becoming a chartered scientist and a chartered environmentalist through the Institute of Water. She shared how she went through the process with the audience who came from all different areas of the Water Industry, from the energy team at DCWW to the Glaslyn labs. Phillippa’s presentation gave practical tips to all and her enthusiasm for people to be recognised through chartership inspired the audience. Katie Pardoe, from DCWW Glaslyn laboratories organised this event.

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DCWW will now be holding awareness sessions on our biodiversity and conservation statutory duties for staff and contractors.

Jennifer Standing , Senior Analyst, then went through what has happened at Bretton Laboratories since DCWW has in sourced the analysis service. Jennifer explained how the laboratories needed to be approved for operation

by UKAS and how they gained certification recently. Jennifer went on to highlight the importance of following rigorous methodologies and procedures to ensure that the results of the analysis are acceptable to the business and the DWI. Bretton Labs have decided on an in-house production of the control sample and cultures to offer best value for money for DCWW customers.

They specialise in the micro-organism analysis of water samples but will diversify soon to include some physical chemistry parameters. Jennifer has offered to organise visits for DCWW employees who are interested in learning more about what the Bretton laboratories do.

Breakfast Seminar - How To Become A Chartered Scientist or A Chartered Environmentalist

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Secondly, PC Mark Goulding from Wales Wildlife Crime Police provided the audience with an overview of who was responsible for breaches of regulations and the penalties incurred by them.

This was followed by case studies that drove him “batty”. The studies included the redevelopment of a school for housing and national manhunt that ensued; and the illegal trespassing of a forestry to carry out the ringing of a new born chick and its subsequent demise.

WaterAid 200 Walk

By Fan Brycheiniog Our team “Wales I Water” is participating in WaterAid200 2014 at Fan Brycheiniog. A group of keen walkers reached the top in spite of a really wet start and the team raised £160!

Fan Brycheiniog is the highest peak in the Black Mountain region of the Brecon Beacons National Park in South Wales. It is just inside the county of Powys, and also within the Fforest Fawr Geopark designated in 2005 in recognition of the area’s geological heritage.

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