Water and Effluent Treatment Magazine
Issue link: https://fhpublishing.uberflip.com/i/831966
Oh, what a night… G ood food, great entertainment, the awards ceremony, and charity casino were the order of the night at this year's Water Industry Achievement Awards (WIAA), which took place at The Vox, Birmingham on May 23. More than 550 guests attended the prestigious event, organised by WET News and Water & Wastewater Treatment (WWT), to recognise, reward and applaud the innovative achievements of the award winners and fi nalists. The evening got underway with a drinks reception where guests were entertained by Megan, a vintage vocalist performing a mix of classic jazz/swing songs; and the sleight of hand magic of Maddox. With guests having settled at their tables, it was time for WET News editor Maureen Gaines and WWT editor James Brockett to take to the stage and get proceedings underway. They outlined what was in store for the evening, and reminded guests that they should be congratulated for having made it this far in the awards selection process. Following dinner, the main event began. Comedian and awards host Marcus Brigstocke had guests in stitches as he warmed them up before getting down to the business of the day – the awards ceremony itself. It was time to reveal the winners of this year's Water Industry Achievement Awards. The fi rst award of the night, for Data Project of the Year, went to Severn Trent Water for its operational effectiveness project. Next up was Health and Safety Initiative of the Year. This went to MWH Treatment and Severn Trent Water, which impressed the judges with their holistic approach to behavioural safety. The award for Sustainable Drainage & Flood Management Initiative of the Year, sponsored by the Concrete Pipeline Systems Association (CPSA), came next, and went to Northumbrian Water for its Brunton Park Flood Alleviation project. Partnership Initiative of the Year was won by Thames Water and Lanes Group, with their customer solutions centre, while Bristol Water and its pop-up water bar took Community Project of the Year. The successful night for Severn Trent Water continued as the company picked up the People Initiative of the Year award for its Competency Governance Community of Practice scheme. The Asset International-sponsored Carbon Reduction Initiative of the Year was awarded to Thames Water and the Boulting Group for the Littleton Raw Water pumping station upgrade. Dwr Cymru Welsh Water and a customer feedback app earned the company the Customer Satisfaction Initiative of the Year award. The trophy for Most Innovative Use of an Existing Technology was won by Clearwater Controls for the Deragger II, while Aquabio and BW Productions picked up Most Innovative New Technology for the Sand Cycle. Team of the Year, a new category for WIAA 2017, was awarded to United Utilities' Programme Services Team; and Water Resource Management Initiative of the Year was picked up by Northumbrian Water for its Every Drop Counts scheme. The former chief executive of international charity WaterAid, Barbara Frost, received a standing ovation as she was awarded the trophy for Outstanding Individual Contribution to the Water Industry for her efforts in championing the needs of the poorest communities worldwide to ensure they have access to clean drinking water, as well as improved sanitation facilities and hygiene. Then it was time for the fi nal award of the evening, which went to Bristol Water as it was crowned outright winner 4