Water & Wastewater Treatment

42 | june 2014 | WWT | www.wwtonline.co.uk Digging deeper "We are still celebrating a process that is essentially throwing energy away" Ian Walker WRc described its low temperature anaerobic digest- ing technology – saying the company was cur- rently looking to pilot with a municipal wastewa- ter treatment plant. The session showcased four examples of technological innovation at various stages of development. In addition to NVP Energy, delegates were introduced to Sewer Batt – an accoustic sensing technology currently used to detect pipe blockages by companies including Network Rail and London Underground. Echo- logics outlined its own acoustic sensing device to detect leaks in plastic pipes and APEM examined applications for aerial photography including mapping energy loss and leak detection. However, energy creation was not the only hot topic for the UK's most energy-intensive in- dustry. Tony Slade, head of I&C energy solutions at conference sponsor npower, made the case for energy auditing - saying by monitoring their en- ergy use more efficiently water companies could drive substantial bottom line savings. Learning from other sectors Not all innovation is driven by technology how- ever. Cross-sector learning was also identified as a key driver, in some cases inspiring completely new ways of thinking. Chris Jones, research and development manager at Northumbrian Water, for example, said his team had learned a lot by collaborating with industry. In particular he said Northumbrian had studied food manufacturers including Nestle and Greggs, to see whether they could learn to pre- sent themselves as a 'manufacturer of a product for human consumption'. Steve Kaye, head of innovation for Anglian Water, echoed this need for collaboration and partnership. He said many ideas had come from a water innovation network, involving 500 local companies. He also outlined what he thought the switch to a totex system in the coming AMP 6 cycle will mean for water companies, He said that considering capital and operating costs together – thereby freeing money for long term investment and innovation – meant there was a need for real ambition and for the industry to set 'aspirational' goals. Malcolm Horne, general manager of asset creation waste water infrastructure for Severn Trent Water agreed, describing AMP 6, as 'a real challenge' – but ultimately one which would lead to "a real shi• to a newer and more innovative way of working". AMP 6 is not the only shi• on the horizon. Changes in regulation arising from the Water Act will offer even more opportunities for enterprise and collaboration as the water market is opened to competition, and it will require more active consultation with consumers. Tom Flood, chair of the water section innova- tion leadership group for Defra highlighted one of the critical issues in customer engagement when he said water was: "a product a lot of people take for granted". Without more public understanding of the water industry he warned companies could face a backlash similar to that currently being experienced by energy companies. The need for customer consultation was also stressed by Keith Mason, senior director of fi- nance and networks for Ofwat. He said a growing population, a shi• to single-person households and questions about affordability would all put pressure on water companies. And further pressure may come from Europe, which is looking to restrict pollution. Paul Hickey, head of land and water quality for the Environment Agency echoed this point, warn- ing of increasing pressure to remove chemicals from water, as new EU directives are expected to tighten regulation on a range of substances. He said it was important to find new ways of remov- ing pollutants – particularly phosphorus. Again, collaboration is key and Dan Green, head of sustainability and innovation for Wessex Water said it has made great inroads in catchment management by bringing in expert agronomists and engaging with landowners and farmers about impact reduction of pesticides and fertilisers. But ultimately, the drive for innovation needs to embedded at a much more fundamental level. Piers Clark, commercial director for Thames Water summed it up. He pointed out that global population growth and growing demand was expected to mean 66% of people would be living in water scarce environments by 2025. And, against that back-drop he suggested: innovation is not just an option - it is essential to our survival. Standing room only – delegates from across the industry gathered to discuss and debate the issues surrounding innovation The uK's 3% share of the global market for water innovation products and services is worth £1.5Bn Mark Lane uKWRIP Save energy with autoclean sensors Tel: 0800 8046 062 sales@atiuk.com w w w. a t i u k . c o m • ATi sensors never need manual cleaning • Dirty probes read low or not at all • Clean probes read right and save energy • Clean probes give better process control WITH NEW 2008 LOGOS BETTER RESULTS AUTOCLEAN SENSORS GIVE AutoClean Dissolved Oxygen Monitor O P T I C A L O R G A LVA N I C ? Y O U C H O O S E . AT i H AV E B O T H . Oxygen Advert 2 (WITH QR CODE):ATi 28/9/12 13:45 Page 1 FOR MORE INFORMATION VISIT www.burdens.co.uk Great Service Putting customers first Our customers are at the heart of what we do. We know they value exceptional product knowledge combined with a continual commitment to product innovation and value engineering. We provide all of this through our national branch network and extensive sales and commercial teams. Specialists in Below Ground Drainage for Civils and Utilities J13-096 Burdens_adverts for WWT_210x153_v02.indd 1 25/03/2014 12:14 www.wwtonline.co.uk | WWT | JUNE 2014 | 43

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