News

Initiatives boost opportunities for women in water

British Water’s unique Women on Water campaign continues to build momentum, with the renewal of a successful mentoring programme and the announcement of an inperson networking reception.

The trade association has, for the second year, signed up as a member of the pioneering 30% Club, a cross-company mentoring programme which aims to support the career progression of women in business. This follows the success of the first round of mentoring sessions in 2020, an experience which one mentee described as “transformative”.

Ten more mentors and 10 mentees selected by British Water are in the process of being matched by programme delivery partners Moving Ahead. The 2021 scheme is taking place under the Mission INCLUDE programme, launched by the 30% Club to broaden its focus beyond gender, with targets centred on bringing greater ethnic diversity to top management positions. British Water led the industry by launching Women on Water in 2018, to support women with their careers and personal development. Mentoring has been a key element of the campaign. Thompson said: “We joined forces with the 30% Club in 2020, with support from Xylem, and have had fantastic feedback from our first cohort of mentors and mentees.

“Inspiring, transformative, invaluable and empowering - these were just some of the terms used by our mentees to describe what the experience meant to them. One mentee even told us she had been promoted thanks in part to the interview training her mentor had given her. “This kind of outcome is exactly why we joined the programme and is why we are proud to have signed up for another year - and by opting to be part of Mission INCLUDE, we have opened up the opportunity to all underrepresented groups across all levels.” The 30% Club is a global campaign led by chairs and CEOs taking action to increase gender diversity at board and senior management levels. Women from both the first and second cohorts of mentors and mentees will be guests at British Water’s Women on Water Christmas reception, which takes place in London on 9 December, hosted by new sponsor, global solutions provider Jacobs. The event will provide opportunities to network and increase connections, with a keynote to be delivered by leadership coach Sheila Campbell-Lloyd, managing director of Inner Works coaching consultancy, who will present on “finding your voice”. Jacobs global water director Susan Moisio will also be among speakers. She said: “Jacobs is committed to enabling diversity and equality globally. Through our strategic relationship with British Water, we are delighted to support Women on Water and its vision of ‘empowering empowered women’. “This important industry initiative aimed at increasing opportunities for women and those from under-represented groups directly aligns with Jacobs’ business imperatives and is something I am very passionate about. The Christmas reception will provide a valuable platform for the Women on Water community to reconnect in person, hear inspiring stories, meet career allies and celebrate achievements.”

Sheila Campbell-Lloyd SusanMoisio

JUNE2021

SEPTEMBER2021

ISSUE19

ISSUE20

Pipeline Rehabilitation • Data & Analytics in the Water Utility Sector • Clean Water NetworksPump Technology and Innovation • Wastewater Treatment and Technology

Chemical Dosing • Flow & Level Measurement • Wastewater Treatment & Technology Phosphorus Removal • Improving Drinking Water Quality • Managing Sewer Networks

If you would like to participate in the March edition of Water Industry Journal we shall be featuring:

Leak Detection & Repair Digital Transformation Managing Asset Health & Building Resilience Drinking Water Treatment Improving Customer Experience Wastewater Treatment & Technology

Contact David Lancaster on 0191 580 5476 or email david.lancaster@distinctivegroup.co.uk for more information.

Maintaining compliance without compromise

With the current environmental pressures that are rightly placing the protection and enhancement of our waterways at the forefront, it is important that we demonstrate the agile ability of the industry to provide more responsive environmental resilience. Here, Rich Matthews, MD at Siltbuster, explains that to achieve improved confidence in the public, political and regulatory landscapes, now is the time to adopt a more flexible approach to maintaining and upgrading our ageing asset base.

Too often the industry has sought to engage the wider supply chain for site investment planning, but is frequently reverting to type of adopting traditional and conservative build methodologies, procurement strategies and design standards. This has often precluded the opportunities that may well have been presented of adopting more flexible based solutions around package plants. This is something that is widely practiced in the wider industrial sectors.

With the diverse range of conditions in 2020 - from the floods in February, COVID in March through to the heatwaves in the summer it has demonstrated the need for reliable infrastructure systems that can flex and adapt. As a result, it is essential that we continue to seek more efficient means of capital investment and operational support programmes, relying on effective and responsive environmental resilience. This is where adopting more package plant solutions will offer this flexibility; being able to respond and maintain compliance in support of ageing infrastructure.

Reality of Ageing Infrastructure

Whilst the ageing infrastructure is being firmly put under the spotlight for spill regimes and water quality performance; we cannot continue to blame previous under investment when we are now over 30 years post privatisation that promised unrivalled levels of previous investment. However, value for money of this investment must be questioned when water quality standards are so publicly being questioned. There is no doubt that drinking water quality remains at the forefront of excellence and un-comparable to bottled in both quality achieved and price per litre. However, the public now seeks similar levels of focus on effluent treatment.

The performance of Britain’s sewer network is a focus of attention for drainage studies right now, however the importance placed on capacity rather than quality should be questioned. It is true that CSO’s are there to ensure relief to the system to protect upstream catchments from flooding. Nevertheless, the reality is that we are continuing to place existing and ageing assets under un-due stress. This is exacerbated with centralisation strategies and a lack of engagement with tightening Mogden consents. To reinforce the simplicity, treat at source, treat locally applies to all aspects of our effluent network and not just a concept to deflect to the agriculture contributions. There is therefore no greater need for showing an alternative rationale for the industry to maintain compliance without compromise. We cannot simply build traditional methodologies or defined end of pipe solutions. There is a need to build more catchment-based solutions.

The result is that a more modular based package plant will enable a more phased and targeted investment plan, that is undoubtably going to be needed to ramp up with immediate effect to regain public support in an industry under pressure.

Raising the bar or adopting proven technology

As the regulator is now seeking for the industry to reduce pollution incidents by 30% by 2025, the reality of demonstrating improvements is critical as far as is reasonably practical. Clearly there is a reach for new technology innovation; however there remains many examples of using proven technology in more novel applications. This is where the deployment of package plant systems have the ability to fulfil this requirement. The barrier to acceptance has often been concerns with design life, applying imperial standards and lack of willingness – none of these will apply in the reasonably practical debate that will now shortly being. Consequently, there is a need to adapt to a more responsive approach; modular build is a principle well suited to the industry needs. Modular solutions don’t have be new technologies and processes; it can involve simply thinking about things differently and thus using familiar technologies in smarter, more strategic ways. It is essential that any investment in water treatment is best placed to support current needs, as well as those in the future. This might mean building asset bases in an incremental manner or bolting on assets to optimise asset bases. The important thing is that it all adds up to achieving a more sustainable outcome for the industry and environment

Summary

To drive a successful response to the pressure the industry faces, there is a need to approach it with flexibility in mind. The political conditions will insist that this step change occurs, it is therefore time to change our approach to traditional build and procurement and it is important that the supply chain is engaged effectively to ensure that the experience, skills and knowledge in responsive treatment systems can be best utilised for the benefit of enhancing the water environment. For more information about Siltbuster, visit www.siltbuster.co.uk

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Buffy Williams, Member of the Senedd for the Rhondda, visits the site

Lluest Wen Reservoir receives £9 million investment boost

£9 million investment to refurbish the spillway at Lluest Wen Reservoir. Buffy Williams visited the site and thanks Dwr Cymru for the investment at the reservoir in Maerdy. Will ensure around 15,000 customers across the Rhondda Fach and in surrounding areas continue to receive a top-quality drinking water supply. Work is on track to be completed during Spring 2022.

Dwr Cymru Welsh Water are investing £9 million to upgrade the assets at Lluest Wen Reservoir. This investment will help ensure around 15,000 customers across the Rhondda Fach and in surrounding areas continue to receive a top-quality drinking water supply. The work being carried out by the notfor-profit company involves refurbishing the spillway, which is the overflow for the reservoir. This feature allows excess water from the river which is not used for drinking water supplies to pass safely around the dam. Keeping this asset in good condition is essential as it helps protect the dam against flood damage and ensuring a reliable source of water for the whole community. Work began in October 2020 and is making great progress. The concrete bases that form the spillway are on track to be completed this month and work is underway to construct the walls and drainage system. The work is currently on track to complete during Spring 2022. While work is being carried out, there will be no impact on water supply to local customers.

Welsh Water invited Buffy Williams, Member of the Senedd for the Rhondda, to site to show her first hand the investment work being carried out to keep the company’s assets in good condition and customers in supply of fresh drinking water. Following the visit, Buffy said: ““Earlier this year I was fortunate enough to visit Lluest Wen Reservoir to view the progress made by Dwr Cymru on the new spillway. We’ve received stark reminders in recent times that the defences put in place before climate change are not going to be good enough for the future.

“I can’t thank Dwr Cymru enough for the £9 million of investment at the reservoir in Maerdy which won’t only bolster our defence against more severe weather, but provide a safe supply of water for our communities too.”

Smart Septicity Monitoring for Sewer Networks

As regulations become more stringent, the monitoring of wastewater quality plays a crucial part in identifying existing or emerging problems within sewer networks. ATi’s Director of Technical Services, Chris McTear, discusses the new technological advances transforming the future of wastewater management, offering the ultimate smart septicity solution for sewer networks.

Managing and controlling septicity in sewer networks has long been one of the greatest challenges for wastewater utilities, with high levels proving to be costly due to toxicity, corrosion and odour nuisance. Septic sewage delivered into an activated sludge plant creates considerable process complications. Wastewater quality monitoring data is incredibly useful in helping to monitor septicity levels, although historically this has not been easy to gather. Until now, water specialists traditionally used a range of techniques, including weekly samples, analysing sediments, controlling flow and developing aerobic environments. Controlling septicity also relied on maintaining the supply of oxygen to oxidise previously formed sulphide; minimising the emission of hydrogen sulphide gas into the atmosphere, deodorising vented air, and the use of protective coatings on pipes. However, in today’s modern world, new technology has now been developed. By bringing together this technology, ATi offers a unique, unified solution for septicity monitoring and prevention in sewer networks, utilising both liquid and gas phase sensors. ATi’s SeptiNet is an innovative breakthrough in smart, continuous and accurate wastewater septicity monitoring for sewer networks. Forming part of a pioneering range of smart sewer network solutions, including the integrated ATi and s::can revolutionary SewerNet water quality monitoring solution, SeptiNet monitors both hydrogen sulphide (H2S) gas and Oxidation-Reduction Potential (ORP), offering the ultimate smart septicity monitoring solution. Due to ATi’s unique manufacturing base of both water and gas analytical sensors, SeptiNet allows wastewater utilities to monitor both liquid and gas in one combined solution anywhere within the sewer network. Data generated from SeptiNet is linked directly to the customer’s preferred RTU and transferred to an intermediate cloud for analytics, integrated into the customers own Scada reporting protocol.

Septicity in Sewer Networks

Wastewater becomes septic when organic matter decomposes and forms a foul smell, due to the absence of free oxygen. This common problem occurs within sewers when low flows and long retention times combine, resulting in bacteria multiplying in the anaerobic conditions that creates septicity. Consequent formation of H2S gas can cause a nuisance with its characteristic foul smell, leading to customer complaints. This lethal gas also causes a hazard during entry into chambers and its reaction with moisture results in the formation of sulphuric acid, which has a corrosive and costly effect on infrastructures.

SeptiNet: Smart Septicity Prevention for Sewer Networks

To predict, prevent and control septicity of an entire sewer network is complex, however ATi’s SeptiNet removes any guess work, enabling the complete management of septicity. By combining both liquid and gas smart sensor technology, and as part of a Combined Sewer Overflow (CSO) monitoring solution, SeptiNet improves the control of assets and processes, enabling access to data for both online and offline analysis and modelling. Designed specifically for applications in both wastewater treatment and sewer networks, SeptiNet generates continuous and accurate data for septicity prevention, allowing the management of odour and corrosion, whilst reducing the formation of hazardous atmospheres and negative environmental impacts. SeptiNet helps to protect the wastewater treatment process, the extra sewer storage, reduces overflow and pollution to rivers and is suitable for installing anywhere within a sewer network, including:

Inlets to wastewater treatment works.

Inlets to CSOs

Outlets / overflows of CSOs

Pumping station Manholes within the network

SeptiNet uses smart sensor technology, combined with data intelligence, for large scale mass deployment across sewer networks. This innovative solution has been developed using telemetry to drive sustainable use of the world’s natural resources, offering customers an end-to-end approach to manage wastewater assets in hazardous environments, whilst also reducing pollution for a better, greener world. For further information on SeptiNet, or the broader SewerNet solution, please contact ATi on sales@atiuk.com.

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London sewer team embraces new app to boost safety and knowledge

A mobile-first app that provides a detailed overview of London’s vast trunk sewer network has been adopted by Thames Water as part of its industry-leading digital transformation.

SymTerra allows the Strategic Pumping & Trunk Sewer team at more than 1,000 locations across the capital to record and access all aspects of a job, whether remotely or on-site.

With ‘what3words’ embedded across all features of the app, communication and safety is improved by enabling engineers to record the location and condition of assets and generate real-time updates of progress and issues.

A fully searchable cloud-based photo and knowledge library can also be created that integrates with Thames Water’s existing mapping and modelling systems, making it quicker, easier and cheaper to plan for future work.

In one example, the app was used to help maintenance teams work out the best entry point into a sewer near St James Square. They used SymTerra to document if traffic management or parking restrictions were needed, the location of manholes and the condition of ladders, and to take photos of the pipe and the height of the water flowing through it. Richard Dennett, Thames Water’s operations manager for strategic pumping & trunk sewers, said: “Some of our work can be complex, with unclear information, conflicting priorities and blurred accountability lines. “There are also many stakeholders involved, which can lead to confusion and frustrations, but with SymTerra we have raised the bar and, with the use of what3words, have gone back to basics to identify confined space entries, assets and locations.”

Sarah Crawley, co-founder of SymTerra, said: “Thames Water’s collaborative approach to working together on SymTerra has been great. “The trunk sewer team has been open to new technology and challenged the status quo, demonstrating how you can better capture and leverage real-time updates and insights from the teams on the ground. “This has helped improve visibility and asset assurance as well as quickly detail key works information, including what3words locations to share with other teams.”

“The trunk sewer team has been open to new technology and challenged the status quo, demonstrating how you can better capture and leverage real-time updates and insights from the teams on the ground.”