1. WIPAC MONTHLY
The Monthly Update from Water Industry Process Automation & Control
www.wipac.org.uk Issue 5/2023- May 2023

2. Page 2
In this Issue
WIPAC Monthly is a publication of the Water Industry Process Automation & Control Group. It is produced by the group
manager and WIPAC Monthly Editor, Oliver Grievson. This is a free publication for the benefit of the Water Industry and please feel
free to distribute to any who you may feel benefit. However due to the ongoing costs of WIPAC Monthly a donation website has
been set up to allow readers to contribute to the running of WIPAC & WIPAC Monthly, For those wishing to donate then please visit
https://www.patreon.com/Wipac all donations will be used solely for the benefit and development of WIPAC.
All enquires about WIPAC Monthly, including those who want to publish news or articles within these pages, should be directed
to the publications editor, Oliver Grievson at olivergrievson@hotmail.com
From the editor............................................................................................................. 3
Industry news..............................................................................................................
Highlights of the news of the month from the global water industry centred around the successes of a few of the companies
in the global market.
4 - 14
Why its smart to increase your sewer network monitoring...........................................
The monitoring of the wastewater system is perhaps one of the biggest growth areas in the UK water industry at the moment. This
article from David Walker of Detectronic discusses how the wastewater network is having its renaissance in not only the monitoring
of the network but the possibilities that it brings once its done.
15 - 16
Clamp-on ultrasonic monitoring in real-time water networks........................................
In this article by Flexim we look at the use and benefits of clamp-on ultrasonic flow meters within potable water networks and how
they offer a practical solution for real-time water network monitoring
17 - 18
Endress+Hauser Netillion Connected Water Monitoring Guidance................................
In our final article of this month we look at a product showcase from Endress+Hauser and how they are seeing the delivery of the
upstream and downstream monitoring that is set to dominate the water industry over the next 10-15 years in the UK. This looks at
not only the sensor offering but the additional benefits of intelligent sensor maintenance management.
19-20
Workshops, conferences & seminars............................................................................
The highlights of the conferences and workshops in the coming months.
21 - 22

3. Page 3
From the Editor
This month has certainly been an interesting one with plenty of events to go to and plenty of announcements from the
water industry. Visiting the Water Equipment Show and Utility Week Live I chatted with quite a few people and seen
what we as an industry can do. My working life at the moment consists of looking at alot of screens and finding out ways
that we can either monitor the amount of wash-water that they use or control it in a different way. The actual reasons
for this are long-winded and boring so I won't go into them here but at one point I caught myself saying to a front-line
professional - "whatever we put on we have to measure and take off" now the context was it was everything to do with
wash-water and how we have to control it moving forward. Going to the water equipment show I found myself talking to
the suppliers and racking our brains about what to do, and how to measure or how to control. A detailed discussion over
the benefits of ball valves versus solenoid valves and the application wash-water ensued. It is amazing how a meeting of
minds and how chewing over a particularly knotty issue can come up with some potential great solutions.
More the next week at Utility Week Live and meeting up with future colleagues (there is an announcement coming soon
on this) and hearing more of the challenges that the industry faces and some of the solutions it is coming up with. The
interesting potential solution was announced by Severn Trent Water this month with an OFWAT Innovation Challenge
partly funding something that has so much promise. Of course it being of the minute its due to have alot of instrumentation and whispers of a wastewater
Digital Twin. I don't know anymore than that at the moment but it gives me memories of the excellent work that Severn Trent Water did at Spernal Wastewater
Treatment works about five years ago now and unfortunately didn't progress any further than that. It also gives me thoughts of the work that Perceptive
Engineering did with Multi-Variate Process Control even further back than that. The OFWAT challenge is aptly titled the "Water Breakthrough Challenge" and it
does feel like this sort of project can finally break the water industry in the UK into a properly transformed "Digital" space. Something that has been promised
for quite awhile now but has never quite seen the light of day.
Of course when we look at the Digital Transformation of the water industry we have to consider the three pillars of people, process and technology and
throughout this edition you will see something that plays to the people element more and more. This month the "Sewer Heroes - Fighting the Fatberg" Lego
idea was unfortunately rejected by the ideas board at Lego Group. This is despite the vast support from the international water community. Having discussions
with the creator, MOcing Bird, the decision has been made to resubmit the idea to the Lego Ideas website. This is a Call to Action for everyone in the WIPAC
Group and in fact the whole Water & Wastewater Community. MOcing Bird is going to relaunch the Sewer Heroes submission and the Call to Action is to get
10,000 votes within the first 24-48 hours so the Lego Ideas Board have no choice but to make this set a reality. This may seem alot of fuss and nonsense over
a Lego Set but the education value for something that costs the UK Water Industry £200 million per year every year shows the importance of getting ideas
such as this promoted.
So, on 12th June there will be a special mailshot asking you to vote and take up this Call to Action. I'll apologies in advance to those who have no interest but
as we are all involved deeply in the water and wastewater industry and are all aware of the issue please take five minutes of your time to vote.
Have a good month,
Oliver

4. World first ‘net zero hub’ to be created in Staffordshire
Severn Trent has unveiled plans to create the world’s first carbon neutral waste treatment plant in Staffordshire, with work on the multi-million-pound project
(almost £40m) set to start in September. This ground-breaking project – which is backed by all UK and Irish water companies and international Net Zero Partnership
with Aarhus Vand in Denmark and Melbourne Water in Australia – will transform a large, carbon intensive Wastewater Treatment Plant into the world’s first retro-
fit carbon neutral site in Strongford.
The new ‘net-zero hub’ is being supported by the Ofwat Innovation Fund, which announced a £10 million cash injection last week. A further £0.9 million has
been secured through Horizon Europe and £28 million will be invested by Severn Trent to make this ambition a reality. For the first time, the most promising
technologies will be integrated on one site to reduce and remove carbon – eradicating 34,000 tonnes of carbon per year, which is equivalent to a person flying
return between London and New York, 34,500 times.
The new hub, which is already home to advanced digestion (THP) and ‘gas to grid’ technology, has the potential to change the face of wastewater management
around the world. Among the new processes on site is a technology from waste and water group SUEZ, called ‘Actilayer’, a novel cover for sludge plants which
reduces levels of nitrous oxide, one of the most potent greenhouse gases, to low levels through the use of catalytic material and the power of sunlight. Other
projects include Cellulose Recovery from Dutch company Cirtec, which is a long-held ambition in the UK to remove toilet paper from sewage and recycle it into a
valuable, sustainable material that can be used for another purpose such as insulation or in construction products.
The site will also house Digital Twin technology, which is a virtual representation of the whole treatment plant – including low carbon technologies. With the help
of Atkins, Explore AI, Siemens and Xylem, this virtual world will allow Severn Trent to optimise technologies, see how they interact and automatically apply those
learnings to the treatment plant. This will also reduce energy consumption at the site.
Among those working on sludge optimisation is Eliquo Hydrok with a technology to extract more biogas using a vacuum, Royal Haskoning DHV with a technology
called Eyphra to optimise the digestion process and CAMBI, who are a leader in thermal hydrolysis to help minimise the need for heat through the digestion
process. Together these technologies will result in a combination of methane emissions reduction, reduced natural gas consumption and the opportunity to
produce additional biogas.
Based at one of Severn Trent’s biggest sites that serves Stoke-on-Trent, the hub will not only put the Midlands on the map for innovative wastewater management
but will also support Severn Trent’s commitment to reducing its carbon footprint and protecting the environment, while creating a ‘blueprint’ for all water
companies to help them achieve their net zero commitments.
Liv Garfield, CEO of Severn Trent said: “Combatting the climate emergency to protect generations to come is a challenge that requires everyone to reinvent ways of
working. This commitment to create the world’s first carbon neutral hub has the possibility of changing the face of wastewater treatment worldwide. The impact
of this cannot be underestimated given emissions from wastewater are 80% of our operational emissions, and the hub will solve that. Coming together to share
ideas and collaborating to combat climate change is key, that’s why we’re committed to sharing our carbon neutral hub’s blueprint with all other water companies,
so wastewater treatment plants around the world can be retrofitted with these new technologies that we’re rolling out at scale. Bringing this innovation to
Staffordshire will also bring jobs and green skills, as there are even more novel technologies in the pipeline that will be tested and refined here in years to come,
thanks to the investment and support from all of our partners including Ofwat’s Innovation Fund.”
Severn Trent’s project is one of 16 solutions being awarded a share of £40 million in the water regulator’s latest innovation competition – the Water Breakthrough
Challenge.
The Water Breakthrough Challenge encourages initiatives that help to tackle the biggest challenges facing the water sector, such as achieving net zero, protecting
natural ecosystems and reducing leakage, as well as delivering value to society.
David Black, CEO at Ofwat, said: “The water sector has faced mounting pressure over systemic challenges related to the environment and society, while the
climate around us continues to drastically change shape. That’s why we’re funding ground-breaking innovations with potential to help us save and reuse water
and wastewater products, while supporting wider society.”
Dr Nerina Di Lorenzo, MD of Melbourne Water, said: “What an exciting stage of ground-breaking net zero-focused collaboration, research and innovation.
“The partnership Melbourne Water shares with Severn Trent and Aarhus Vand is already progressing a range of projects to reduce the carbon footprint of
wastewater treatment plants. Further, with a technical focus on nitrous oxide emission measurement, we’re developing nitrous oxide monitoring and mitigation
strategies that will help us better manage and eradicate this dangerous greenhouse gas. So, we’re already making real and measurable forward steps towards net
zero.
“The insights from the Net Zero Hub will help determine and present an emissions-reducing roadmap, which can provide global benefits. I hope this will drive new
technologies that attract further research and development funding to help all of us achieve our net zero goals.”
Severn Trent also secured an additional £1.3 million from Ofwat in the Water Breakthrough Challenge, for an innovative project to tackle leaks. Dark Fibre sensing
has the potential to provide a rapid, reliable, and cost-effective way to detect leaks by using fibre-optic cables which are already adjacent to water mains.
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Industry News

5. World first achieved in Cheshire as innovative technology cleans the
first section of Vyrnwy Aqueduct
An innovative system has successfully cleaned part of the Vyrnwy Aqueduct
in Cheshire, marking the first time, globally, that air ‘pig’ technology has been
used to clean a water pipeline of this size.
The achievement has been realised by United Utilities and contractor Avove
in the Vyrnwy Aqueduct Modernisation Programme, which is cleaning and
relining the three parallel pipelines that carry water from Lake Vyrnwy to
customers across the North West.
In a world first, they are using an air-propelled barrel-like device, known as a
‘pig’, through the 1m diameter pipes to remove any sediment that has built up
from the natural minerals in the water. These ‘pigs’ are traditionally propelled
by water, but by going with an innovative method that uses air instead, the
work requires less energy to operate and gives a significant reduction in time,
cost, and carbon footprint.
Across the 18.6km stretch being cleaned in the phase between Malpas and
Tarporley, the air pig system will bring a reduction of eight days in working
time required, and also reduce the number of access pits from 37 to 12. It
will also see a reduction in water usage from 9.4 million litres to 91 thousand
litres, which means only one tanker movement will be required to bring and
take away water to propel the pig, instead of 1,400.
John Hilton, Programme Director at United Utilities, said: “We’re delighted
to have completed the first 2.6km section of cleaning the Vyrwny Aqueduct,
ensuring that this piece of incredible Victorian engineering continues to
supply high-quality drinking water to our customers in Cheshire, Merseyside
and across the North West.
“It’s great to see this innovative technology at work and bringing great results
from the start, and we look forward to seeing the ‘pig’ progress through the
pipes over the coming weeks.
“This change of technique offers a safer and better-quality cleaning method
than traditional high-pressure jetting, and offers a host of other benefits for the project too. For example, this work only needs one small tanker as there’s a much
lower water requirement, and there’s also a significant reduction in the number of access pits required, which provides a great benefit for local communities as
we reduce the areas where we are working.
“We’re also busy preparing for the start of relining the other two pipes that make up the aqueduct that starts in the next couple of months, all of which will
support our water network for many years to come.”
Avove’s Business Director of Operations, Patrick Rafferty, said: “We are delighted to be working with United Utilities on the Vyrnwy Aqueduct Modernisation
Programme. As a team, we are bringing innovative ways of working to the forefront of the industry and this project is breaking ground in how we approach the
inspection, cleaning and relining of three parallel pipelines that carry water underneath Cheshire.
“Our teams have mobilised the project to a very high standard and continuously strive to innovate and drive carbon reduction within our design and build aspects
of the project. Our in-house design and environmental teams identified two key areas for carbon reduction within the phase 1 build sections working and we are
seeing fantastic results with the air pig to date.
“We are exploring potential future use of this solution with the United Utilities team, and are looking forward to completing the remaining sections of line 3 with
the air pig, and to starting on the relining of lines 1 and 2.”
The Vyrnwy Aqueduct Modernisation Programme has already involved upgrades to water treatment works and refurbishment of pipes south of Malpas.
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6. Mott MacDonald and Fathom in new partnership to improve global
flood and climate change risk awareness
Mott MacDonald, the US$2 billion engineering, management and development consultancy, is partnering with Fathom, a global leader in flood risk intelligence
to support the delivery of improved flood risk and resilience assessments for infrastructure projects. The deal gives Mott MacDonald access to additional state-
of-the-art flood risk data sets, creating industry leading flood hazard and risk modelling for its clients on the level of risk they might face.
Fathom’s Climate Dynamic framework allows future changes in climate conditions to be integrated into flood modelling to predict changes in the level of risk
under a range of different emission scenarios and time horizons, anywhere in the world and with the same high resolution.
Access to predictive flooding information is particularly valuable to the decision-making process for resilience investments, ensuring that both existing and new
infrastructure operates successfully for decades. Mott MacDonald routinely advises clients globally at all stages of the infrastructure life-cycle, from planning
and design to operation and decommission.
David Ocio, climate resilience technical director, Mott MacDonald, said:
“In many parts of the world, the absence of open access high-resolution flooding data becomes a blocker for the delivery of projects. This partnership will enable
our clients to better consider the potential impacts of flooding on the integrity and performance of their infrastructure, as well as the safety of communities.”
Flooding is one of the biggest climate risks on the planet, affecting communities, the environment and infrastructure.
With increases in extreme rainfall and a rise in sea levels, the frequency and magnitude of flooding is likely to increase in many parts of the world and it is
therefore critical for organisations to understand the risks in order to adapt and invest in appropriate solutions.
Gavin Lewis, head of engineering, Fathom, said: “Climate change will have a profound impact on future flooding, and flood risk data is becoming essential for
the engineering industry to protect new and existing infrastructure. This partnership is a testament to the quality and value of our data, and we’re excited to be
working together with one of the most respected engineering consultancies to support the delivery of flood risk and resilience assessments for infrastructure
projects.”
AI Initiative to transform algal monitoring awarded £385,000 in
latest Ofwat innovation competition
Welsh Water’s innovative project idea to use artificial intelligence (AI) improving the way water companies monitor algae levels in reservoirs has received
£385,000 in funding from Ofwat’s Innovation Fund.
The project is one of 16 solutions being awarded a share of £40 million today in the water regulator’s latest innovation competition – the Water Breakthrough
Challenge.
The initiative, from Dŵr Cymru Welsh Water will use artificial intelligence (AI) to transform algal monitoring into a high-throughput, high-accuracy laboratory or
field-based process for a fraction of the cost, compared to traditional algal monitoring, allowing better risk prediction enabling water companies to take earlier,
more cost effective and targeted actions.
Phil Jones, Technical Development Manager at Dŵr Cymru Welsh Water said:
“Ensuring drinking water is safe to drink requires constant monitoring and prediction of risk. This is true for the water quality risks associated with algae and
cyanobacteria e.g., taste and odour causing compounds which are predicted to increase with frequency and intensity with climate change.
“Traditional algal monitoring is time consuming, resource intensive and does not provide sufficient data for predictive modelling of algal risks. This funding will
enable a significant leap forward in algal analysis and accelerate the use of algal data to predict water quality risks. This will provide benefits to customers and
wider society, as it will better equip the water industry to tackle current and future algal related water quality challenges.”
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7. Geospatial Commission calls for new Land Use Analysis Taskforce
A new Land Use Analysis Taskforce should be established to support decisions about how land in the UK is used, according to a new report from the Geospatial
Commission. The report, published this month, recommends that government policies related to using land should be supported by a new taskforce and cutting
edge data analysis. Recognising land use pressure as a cross-cutting national challenge, the Geospatial Commission initiated the National Land Data Programme
(NLDP), which has explored key land use challenges and demonstrated where innovative data analysis and evidence can support better land use decisions.
The new report sets out recommendations for how the UK’s data capabilities can be enhanced to support land use decision making, with a more integrated
understanding of urban and rural needs. The new taskforce would assess the potential to reconcile competing demands for how we use our land to meet national
priorities - such as those relating to infrastructure, housing, agriculture and the environment - with the land available in the UK. The report sets out how better data
can be used to drive land-use decisions that drive growth, while also protecting the environment, adapting to climate change and achieving net zero emissions.
The report has four recommendations:
• Establish a Land Use Analysis Taskforce to bring together cutting edge data and scientific expertise to assess competing land use pressures,
ensuring national priorities are delivered within the land available in the UK
• Champion market innovations that help visualise and deliver how we can achieve better land use decisions
• Strengthen the links between land use policy design, academic research and industry practice
• Develop a standard approach to classifying key land use data to improve how we can link data about land
The report highlights that land use is fundamentally a spatial challenge. Some land cannot be used for multiple purposes. However, there are significant
opportunities for multifunctional land use (such as rooftop solar energy). The report considers these opportunities across six sectors including energy, housing,
biodiversity, food,water & transport.
In a dedicated section on water, the report says that the combination of climate change induced changes to the water cycle, resulting in extreme weather, such
as droughts and flooding, with unsustainable development and high levels of water leakage, is placing stress on the UK’s ability to manage water supply, water
quality and flood risk.
“Analysing water plans in parallel is difficult and may lead to "contrary action, inefficiencies and unintended consequences. According to the report, several
water management plans are produced at different scales and for different purposes across the UK, including regional water, flood risk, drainage and wastewater
management, water resources management and river basin management plans.
However, the report warns:
“Analysingtheseplansinparallelisdifficultandmayleadtocontraryaction,inefficienciesandunintendedconsequences.Betterintegrationofcatchmentinformation
and management plans could help provide a more informed assessment of the impacts of each catchment's water resources, pollution and management on
one another. It also suggests there is a lack of understanding about the areas with opportunities for multifunctional land use where investment aimed at flood
prevention, nature restoration and agriculture to improve nutrient and water neutrality could be aligned to achieve mutually beneficial outcomes.
“Multifunctional water management tools, that help develop a shared picture of our water system across the public agencies and companies which manage our
water system,could help decision makers understand interdependencies and reduce the risks of unintended consequences of water management solutions that
have land use implications,” the report says.
It also says that at currently, the UK generally lacks good data on:
Water resource availability: The Environment Agency provides nationally consistent and openly available data, which is useful for getting a
broad understanding of water resource availability, however it has not been updated since 2015 and it is modelled, not measured, data.
Water quality: Water Framework Directive (WFD) data has not been updated since 2021 due to the discontinuation of WFD monitoring.
Stakeholders have questioned the geographical coverage that Environment Agency monitoring sites provide and why some environmentally
important areas are not routinely monitored.
Non-public water abstraction: Statistics on the abstraction of water is provided using the abstraction rates by licence holders in England. This
considers abstraction for electricity, agricultural, public water and private water supply. However, licences are only for more than 20 cubic
metres per day and the figures are not reported frequently.
The recommendations are based on evidence from academic and industry experts and findings from NLDP’s regional pilots in Devon, Cambridgeshire and
Peterborough, Newcastle and Northern Ireland.
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8. SUEZ and Anglian Water announce performance pilot with
AQUADVANCED® Energy in Ely, Cambridgeshire
SUEZ and Anglian Water proudly announce the start of a performance pilot project to be conducted in three phases in Ely in the United Kingdom’s Cambridge
region. The focal point of this initiative is AQUADVANCED® Energy, a ground-breaking digital water platform developed by SUEZ, which will play a crucial role in
enhancing the operational efficiency of the water network and achieving substantial energy savings.
With energy prices soaring since 2021, water companies are looking at better alternatives to reduce costs while improving the customer experience through
the provision of more predictable and stable supply and, at the same time, significantly seeing a decrease in greenhouse gases emissions. SUEZ is committed to
enabling its customers to provide access to water and waste services, with resilient and innovative solutions.
The Energy module is a component of AQUADVANCED®, the world’s leading software suite for water management. It leverage’s real-time data and advanced
analytics while employing cutting-edge data science techniques such as AI and machine learning. By doing so, it can predict situations, solve complex multi-
criteria constraints, evaluate various scenarios and propose the optimal one to operators.
AQUADVANCED® Energy optimises the operation of the water production and distribution system reducing energy costs by up to 15%
AQUADVANCED® Energy optimises the operation of the water production and distribution system reducing energy costs by up to 15%, while minimizing the
carbon impact of water systems. This platform helps water providers manage their water resources effectively, so they can meet the demands of their customers
without depleting or damaging the environment in the long run. For this purpose, the platform collects real time data, forecasts demand up to 48 hours, and
determines the best production strategies considering all operational constraints and avoiding peak electric charges.
Additionally, it makes sure that water is always moving through the system, which prevents stagnation and improves water quality. It also uses simulations to
anticipate and respond to unexpected events, such as unplanned outages, which enhances the reliability of the production system.
Matthew Hughes, Optimisation Solutions Development Manager at Anglian Water, said, “Having been at the frontier of driving network optimisation and energy
efficiency throughout our systems, working with SUEZ on this pilot creates a real and exciting opportunity to understand how to take this even further. At Anglian
Water we plan to be carbon neutral by 2030 and for 45% of the energy we use to be from our own sources by 2025. AQUADVANCED® offers a solution to reduce
the operational carbon in our networks and best to make use of the energy we produce through renewables.”
“Over the past decade, numerous AQUADVANCED® Energy’s customers worldwide have already benefited from this tried-and-tested solution and were able
to reach remarkable improvements in water management, energy efficiency and greenhouse gas emission savings. The unique capabilities of this solution are
a significant advancement for Anglian Water’s vision for a reliable and real-time optimisation system,” stated Patricia Villoslada, Senior Vice President for SUEZ
Digital Solutions.
Europe’s waterways are under immense pressures, ranging from agricultural and industrial activities to the challenges of increased urbanisation. Digital
technologies are acknowledged for their ability to help improve water management. However, a lack of business cases and tangible evidence of their benefits,
combined with underutilised digital solutions, hinders their uptake. “In this context, the EU-funded DWC project aimed to boost the integrated management of
water systems in five major European cities – Berlin, Milan, Copenhagen, Paris and Sofia – by leveraging the potential of data and smart digital technologies,”
explains Nicolas Caradot, project coordinator. Led by Kompetenzzentrum Wasser Berlin gGmbH, a research centre specialising in urban water systems, 24
partners from 10 countries have developed and demonstrated the benefits of a panel of innovative digital solutions to address major water-related challenges.
These solutions include new technologies for fully automated water quality monitoring. The ALERT system, for instance, is an accurate sensor for assessing
public health risk linked to contact with potentially contaminated water. “It halves response times and minimises handling and transportation while providing
a similar accuracy to the laboratory,” outlines Caradot. The project has also brought SWIM:AI to market, a machine learning early warning system for bathing
water management. It can predict days of insufficient water quality with up to 95 % accuracy.
A new low-cost monitoring solution for combined sewer outflow was also developed. It allows utilities to precisely monitor a vast number of combined sewer
control outlets. Additionally, DWC highlighted the relevance of sensors to tackle illicit connections – incorrect connections between the sanitary sewage system
and the storm sewer system. “The new DWC methodology has proven to be 10 times more efficient and cost-effective than conventional visual inspection
to narrow down hotspots of illicit connections in the network,” confirms Caradot. DWC further highlighted the relevance of machine learning for sewer flow
modelling. “The potential of sensors and machine learning has been embedded in a new real-time control solution for the integrated management of sewer
networks and WWTP. About 25 % of sewer bypass volume and 20 % of nitrogen emissions can be saved,” outlines Caradot.
Another digital solution that was developed is a wastewater treatment tool. It can support the reuse of treated wastewater for agricultural irrigation in real-time
within the framework of risk assessment and management provided by Regulation (EU) No 741/2020. To foster water reuse from the farming side, DWC also
developed a new drone solution and a web-based application to manage demand for treated wastewater for agricultural irrigation.
To achieve semantic interoperability between data, model and systems, DWC proposed new ontology extensions to the European Telecommunications Standards
Institute to consider DWC requirements and to contribute to the development of global and widely applied ontologies. “We also enhanced the FIWARE ecosystem
by providing semantic interoperability software as a standalone component and compatible solutions,” concludes Caradot. Regarding cybersecurity, DWC built
on the results of the H2020 project STOP-IT, which focused on increasing cyber and physical protection of the water sector.
Paving the way for the digitalisation of water management
Page 8

9. Anglian Water’s smart meters save millions of litres and millions off
bills for customers
Anglian Water’s upgraded metering programme is forecasted to save the environment seven million litres of precious water between 2020 to 2025 by helping
spot and resolve leaks in customers’ homes and even more by encouraging behaviour change in how people use water. The water company’s largest ever smart
water metering installation programme is already helping customers better understand their water usage, plus detecting leaks quicker both on the customer
side and across its network, in a bid to save this precious resource and money off bills. The programme has also saved Anglian Water customers approximately
£15 million off annual water bills, last year alone, which equates to an average of £251.97 per customer.
Since the first meters were installed in 2020, Anglian Water has helped customers find and resolve more than 100,000 leaks at their properties.
As well as helping finding and fixing customer-side leaks, Anglian Water continues to plough more resources into finding and fixing leaks in its vast network
that could stretch to Sydney and back if put end to end, using innovative techniques and a bigger team than ever before, driving down leakage rates to industry
leading low levels and half as many leaks as any other water company per kilometre of water main.
In addition to the millions of pounds worth of savings on water bills, by detecting leaks in customers’ homes sooner, the smart meters have also saved customers
from a potentially costly clean up from water damage to their homes and belongings from leaks that may have otherwise gone unnoticed.
Anglian Water customer, Vicki Sloan, was very grateful after a letter from Anglian Water prompted her to check her home for leaks.
The Peterborough resident was contacted by Anglian Water in July 2022 after her meter readings were showing her water usage had significantly increased and
suggested she checked for leaks within her property.
Through our smart meter programme, we’re helping our customers to understand their water usage and help spot when pipes or appliances in their home
may be costing them and the environment unnecessarily Vicki said: “After receiving the letter from Anglian Water I got in touch with my plumbing insurance
company straight away. The plumber really struggled to find the leak at first. While Vicki’s leak was being investigated, Anglian Water fitted her home with a
smart meter as the programme was being rolled out in her area at the time. This helped to show how much water the household was using on a daily and hourly
basis but also helped to confirm that the leak had to be coming from a pipe within her home validating the need for further investigation.
Vicki continued: “Because of the smart meter, we were able to find and fix the leak and it also now helps me keep my water usage on track, saving me even
more money. I was in constant contact with Anglian Water customer services team – they were fantastic at providing me with advice and support. The leak
meant my direct debit payments would have increased from £49 to £137 a month, but Anglian Water offered to keep my payments at the original amount as
I had reported the leak to them. They even gave me a leakage allowance and reduced my monthly payments down to £43 a month as the leak was found to
have been going on for a while.”
Ian Rule, Director of Water for Anglian Water said: “Through our smart meter programme, we’re helping our customers to understand their water usage and
help spot when pipes or appliances in their home may be costing them and the environment unnecessarily.”
“As the driest region of the country, most vulnerable to the impacts of climate change and with the fastest growing population, we’re planning now for a future
with more people and fewer raindrops. We invest heavily into resilient infrastructure and continue to drive leakage in our networks down to industry leading
low levels. But we all play a part in using water more sustainably, to keep as much water in the environment as possible, and we recognise our role in helping
our customers to use less and save more too.
“So far, we’ve fitted more than half a million smart meters in customers’ homes and we’re already starting to see significant reductions in the amount of water
we need to abstract from the environment as our customers use their smart meter data to reduce their water usage. This is really helping to protect our regions
precious rivers and the ecosystems that depend upon them.”
On average, the East of England is the driest in the UK receiving a third less rainfall than anywhere else in the country, meaning future water scarcity is the most
significant challenge the company faces. Helping customers use less water, not only helps saves them money off their bills, but also forms a substantial part of
Anglian’s Water Resources Management Plan (WRMP).
The upgraded metering programme is just one part of this plan to protect future water resources, alongside tackling leakage, proposals for two new reservoirs
and the installation of a huge new strategic water mains longer than the M6 that will bring water from the wettest parts in the north to the driest parts in the
south and east.
Anglian Water aims to install 1.1 million new upgraded water meters in homes and businesses across the region by 2025 as part of a five-year project costing
more than £180 million, with a further 1.2 million to be installed between 2025-2030.
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10. Xylem completes acquisition of Evoqua
Xylem, a leading global water technology company, announced it has completed its acquisition of Evoqua, a leader in mission-critical water treatment solutions
and services, in an all-stock transaction valued at approximately $7.5 billion. The combination creates the world’s most advanced platform of capabilities to
address customers’ and communities’ critical water challenges.
Headquartered in Washington, D.C., the combined company becomes the world’s largest pure-play water technology company, with $7.3 billion in pro forma
revenue and more than 22,000 employees globally. Xylem’s unmatched portfolio of innovative solutions across the water cycle, including advanced technologies,
integrated services, and deep application expertise, will help customers in utilities, industrial and commercial end markets address their most pressing water
needs.
“Global awareness of water as a systemic risk to society has never been greater. Investment in water solutions continues to accelerate as communities and
businesses around the world address intensifying challenges like water scarcity, quality and resilience to climate change – and how to address these issues in an
affordable way,” said Patrick Decker, President and CEO of Xylem. “Our combination with Evoqua creates a transformative global platform to solve these critical
water challenges at an even greater scale. Together, we are uniquely positioned to help meet customers’ mission-critical needs with an unmatched portfolio of
products and services across the water cycle.”
Headquartered in Washington, D.C., the combined company becomes the world’s largest pure-play water technology company
“Today is an exciting milestone as we formally welcome our new colleagues to Xylem and bring the power of our combined capabilities to bear for our customers
and communities every day. Our complementary portfolios and end market exposure position us even more strongly for growth together, as we solve our
customers’ water challenges and help make our communities more water-secure.”
The combined company's executive leadership team will be led by Patrick Decker and include senior leaders from both Xylem and Evoqua. Xylem has also
appointed Lisa Glatch and Lynn C. Swann, former Evoqua directors, to serve as members of its Board of Directors. Glatch brings a strategic and financial
perspective and more than 30 years’ experience in senior leadership roles across the public and private sectors in the energy, chemicals, environmental, water
and transportation industries. Swann has held various leadership roles across business, government, and philanthropic organizations and is an experienced
member of public company boards.
Under the terms of the transaction, each share of Evoqua common stock was converted into the right to receive 0.48 of a share of Xylem common stock. This
results in Xylem shareholders owning approximately 75 percent and Evoqua shareholders owning approximately 25 percent of the combined company on a fully
diluted basis.
Hydrant-locating app launched for standpipe users
A free water hydrant-locating app for standpipe users has been launched by Aquam Water Services. The standpipe supplier developed the app to point permitted
customers to the nearest hydrants approved for use by water companies, using information provided by individual utilities. Aquam supplies licensed standpipes
for utilities across the UK, delivering legally compliant equipment to authorised third parties, such as construction companies, local authorities and event
organisers, that need their own temporary supply of water.
The Aquam Hydrant Finder app, which launched in April 2023, currently has hydrant details from four water company partners live on the system, with more
due soon. It can be accessed for free by any end-user who has completed Aquam’s Calm Network training, which ensures those who connect to the network do
so competently and safely, so as not to disrupt the public water supply. Aquam operations director Stuart Henderson said: “We regularly get enquiries from our
customers - the end-users who have hired standpipes - about where their nearest approved hydrant is. Historically, we would look through plans ourselves or
contact the relevant water company directly and pass this information on.
“Now, in response to customer feedback, end-users can now access that information themselves, making the process quicker and easier for them, and reducing
the number of enquiries to water companies.
“By using accredited Calm Network training as the gateway to the data, water companies are reassured that their water supply will only be accessed by
individuals with acceptable levels of competence who fully understand the dos and don’ts of the network.”
Those with access to the app can quickly view location and distance of the 10 nearest hydrants through a postcode search or GPS location, get directions and
street views, technical information such as hydrant type and any additional detail that the water company wishes to highlight. If a hydrant is not available for
use, such as during a drought when water use is restricted, it will not appear on the app.
Henderson said, “Water companies have control of what information is displayed – all they need to do is give us the locations of their available hydrants, and
any other detail, and we do the rest. Importantly, if there are water supply issues in specific areas we can ‘switch off’ hydrants, so those not authorised for use
will not be displayed.
“The app was developed in conjunction with our water company partners as a service enhancement and we will continue to liaise closely with them, as it
develops. We’ve had some really positive feedback so far. I would like to thank water companies for their support in developing this service and look forward to
collaborating on further enhancements.”
The Aquam Hydrant Finder app is available on android and Apple phones and tablets, and some laptops.
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11. Northumbrian Water to undertake the world's first drone water
quality study
Northumbrian Water has teamed up with cloud data experts, Makutu, to begin a desk-top study which could see cutting-edge drone technology used to
routinely sample and carry out at scale, in-situ, real-time water quality assessments, marking a world-first for the industry.
This ground-breaking research will look at how unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), or drones which are flown semi-autonomously without a pilot, are used to
harness Sensing, AI and Data Analytics capabilities, to carry out remote water quality monitoring of key coastal and inland locations.
Currently, the company is only able to survey water quality by sending people to manually take water samples from sites. This can prove difficult when sites are
long distances away, in very rural areas and in inclement weather conditions.
Northumbrian Water expects to see a number of potential benefits from the drone study, such as improved access to hard-to-reach areas, reduced carbon
footprint, more data over a larger area, and much faster results.
With more frequent and detailed monitoring, researchers also hope that this will mean once the monitoring programme is in place, local water quality results
can be made available to the public, in near real-time.
Once the study is complete, the first drone flight tests are expected to take place later this year and throughout next year, with a potential full roll-out in 2025
The study will have several avenues to explore before the pilotless drones are flown, including how the drones will collect the samples, how they will measure
a range of water quality indicators, and crucially, how this knowledge can be used to help the company identify and respond to any potential issues.
Angela MacOscar, Head of Innovation at Northumbrian Water, said: “Protecting the environment and improving river and coastal water quality is a top priority
for us.
“UAV technology is very exciting and harnessing the power of UAVs to collect data efficiently and accurately certainly appears to be a promising one. Data on
what is happening in our environment is crucial to making informed decisions.
“We’re proud to be leading the way in the global water industry to look at how we can use drones in this huge water quality monitoring programme.”
James Sumsion, Chief Executive Officer of Makutu, said: “We are thrilled to have been selected by Northumbrian Water to explore how innovation, UAV’s and
Ai data capabilities can help them execute on their ambition to have the cleanest Rivers and Beaches in the country.
“The provision of near real time data to the public will further serve to build public trust and confidence in the excellent bio-diversity progress being made.”
Once the study is complete, the first drone flight tests are expected to take place later this year and throughout next year, with a potential full roll-out in 2025.
Itron accelerates digital transformation of water utilities in Australia
and New Zealand
Itron, which is innovating the way utilities and cities manage energy and water, announced the launch of AMI Essentials in Australia and New Zealand to
accelerate the digital transformation of water utilities. The end-to-end solution includes the new Itron Intelis™ wSource™ NB-IoT water meter and Temetra™
NB-IoT digital platform for advanced metering infrastructure (AMI). As utilities in the region face growing water stress and aging utility infrastructure, AMI
provides the foundation to mitigate the impact of these challenges. AMI Essentials eases the adoption of AMI with an end-to-end solution that brings together
devices and a data platform with integrated analytics in an easy-to-deploy package that is tailored to the market. The solution establishes a strong foundation
to seamlessly deploy value-added use cases to address water losses, improve operations and enhance consumer engagement.
AMI Essentials for water is a flexible and open standards-based, end-to-end solution that provides a fully integrated software suite for data collection, meter
data management and device management. Utilities can easily collect, track and manage data from multiple metering devices. The solution features Itron’s
Temetra MDM platform to collect and manage data, enabling use cases, such as meter reading, work order management, asset management and water
usage analytics. The end-to-end solution includes options for connectivity and other services to optimize planning, deployment and operations, and assess
connectivity risks. This helps improve service quality and reliability.
Additional key benefits of the solution, include:
Easy migration from manual meter reading to AMI. Maximizes the business case, reduces pain points around AMI deployment,
implementation and operations. One single platform for all meter data.
Reduces risk of technology dependency. Open standards reduce the risk of standardizing on one technology platform and provide
interoperability with multiple communication service providers as well as integration within the IT infrastructure.
Standard packaged solutions. Simplify adoption for smaller utilities and cities, including standard scope of services and use cases.
Maximum robustness. Durable meter components and battery designed to enable a 15-year lifetime even in harsh conditions.
“Across Australia and New Zealand, diverse and extremely challenging environmental conditions make it necessary to ensure that aging infrastructure
maintains a long lifespan. Itron AMI Essentials for water will help utilities mitigate the impacts of climate disruption and address asset management and
leakage challenges,” said Don Reeves, senior vice president of Outcomes at Itron. “Itron has a long history of supporting utilities in Australia and New Zealand,
and we look forward to expanding our offerings with this end-to-end solution. Itron’s local support and knowledge coupled with our global expertise in water
markets, AMI deployments and cellular communications will greatly benefit utilities in the region.
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12. Ofwat to penalise companies for failing to monitor storm overflows
Ofwat has set out new measures so that companies face penalties if they do not fully monitor their storm overflows.
All companies will have targets for reducing the average number of spills from storm overflows, and where they do not meet those targets, they will be subject
to financial penalties. Where storm overflows do not have a working monitor, Ofwat will assume that spills from those overflows are twice as bad as the current
average to push companies to make sure the monitors are working in the first place.
The storm overflows targets, which will form part of Ofwat’s Price Review for 2025 to 2030, will operate alongside other performance commitments which
focus on the environment, including bathing water quality, river water quality and biodiversity. They will help to drive delivery of the UK Government’s Storm
Overflow Discharge Reduction Plan and the Welsh Government’s Storm Overflows Action Plan, and are consistent with the strategic priorities set by the UK
and Welsh Governments for Ofwat.
The move comes at the same time that Ofwat has an ongoing investigation into all wastewater companies in England and Wales. The regulator is looking into
how wastewater companies are operating their sewage treatment works, including whether sewage has been discharged into the environment at times when
this should not be happening. The investigation – the biggest ever undertaken by the regulator – currently includes enforcement cases against six wastewater
companies.
Aileen Armstrong, Senior Director, Company Performance and Price Reviews, said: “Companies need to reduce the use of storm overflows. We want to
introduce measures to hold them to account for this and to ensure companies are effectively monitoring their use of storm overflows. We will continue to use
all the powers we have to drive companies to get to grips with this issue.”
AI Helps Wastewater Utilities Prepare For Extreme Weather
As extreme weather events increase around the globe, cities are looking to create more resilient infrastructure to withstand and protect against floods, hurricanes,
wildfires and other high-risk events. In addition to climate change, many municipalities already face I&I challenges, and aging infrastructure puts strain on local
wastewater teams. When operators can’t keep up with routine maintenance and inspection, collection systems are at a higher risk of failure, and they stand little
chance against significant weather events.
But artificial intelligence (AI) is revealing itself to be invaluable for wastewater applications involving not only data collection and inspection but also data
management, infrastructure design and real-time management. With a variety of resiliency applications in the wastewater industry, AI can help solve some of
the most significant bandwidth and workflow issues utilities face today.
Sewer infrastructure has evolved steadily over the years, and the use of AI technology in designing and maintaining new collection systems was a natural next
step in that evolution. When extreme weather strikes, sewer infrastructure is at a much higher risk of backing up or failing. But by pairing 3D-modelling with AI
that can learn to analyse and predict outcomes, engineers can look at the potential effects of different weather events on collection systems.
It all starts out in the field, where sewer teams can use WinCan to collect data from laser scanning, photogrammetry, simple measurement of pipe length and
diameter, and XYZ sensors. With this data on-hand, engineers can build 3D models for use in the creation of "digital twins." Digital twins combine these models
with operating parameters (e.g. pump station capacity, treatment capacity) and real-world inputs (flow measurement, level measurement) to essentially run a
real-time simulation. That simulation, when combined with the machine learning that happens as the AI observes and interprets previous dynamic situations,
then becomes a tool for real-time management and predictive analysis.
Hydraulic and hydrologic modeling are two predictive processes that use digital twins and real-world water physics engines to simulate the performance and
potential failures associated with infrastructure. Where hydraulics deals with the motion of liquids in a confined space, hydrology is the study of rainfall and
runoff. Together, these not only simulate the impact of rainfall and storm-related I&I on infrastructure, but they also represent the variability in water movement
into and throughout a system, exposing potential risks. The goal of a digital twin is for the model to ingest real-time data from SCADA (supervisory control and
data acquisition) systems, such as flow sensors and level sensors, to monitor events as they unfold so that operators can react in real time to avoid critical failures.
This is where AI begins to help shape the future of disaster preparedness and response.
As AI ingests real-world data and begins to understand how a system responds under different loads and stresses, that machine learning can be applied to more
quickly identify crucial indicators of failures and even take autonomous action to adjust flow controls and prevent overflows or backups. In this way, engineers
can design infrastructure that not only better prepares municipalities for extreme weather but uses integrated AI to identify and react to an influx of runoff. This
is essential to monitoring system function before, during and after extreme weather events.
Predictive analysis isn't just for the design stage. It's equally useful for analyzing existing systems and how they'll perform under certain circumstances (weather,
population growth, internal failures). Municipalities need to be able to continue predictive analysis as they maintain new and existing systems in a way that
ensures they can withstand potential extreme weather threats. Luckily, AI offers a variety of solutions to sewer professionals, from flow monitoring and runoff
analysis to expediting inspection workflows via AI-powered defect coding.
Furthermore, AI has been applied to the inspection process, as with WinCan’s AI, and it’s learning to quickly and accurately identify defects and accurately code
them to different inspection standards. AI-powered automation makes processing inspection data faster than ever, getting data from the field to the web and into
the hands of the people who need it. Automated technologies can bring essential insights, such as sewer condition and maintenance frequency, to the forefront
of any project. This helps operators and engineers identify potential hazards and schedule pre-emptive rehabilitation.
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13. Researchers determine how to digitalize, optimize and safeguard
water management in smart cities
Drought and massive water leaks in the subsoil of large cities, such as those recently reported in the Barcelona metropolitan area, make it more necessary than
ever to improve the management of water resources in urban environments. The implementation of smart, connected systems for water supply and purification
infrastructures has clear benefits and will come with time. However, as the sector is currently wanting in digitalization, this transition must be agile and carefully
monitored.
A new study has laid the foundations for how this process should be carried out. The brain behind it is Cristina Villar, a graduate of the Universitat Oberta
de Catalunya (UOC) and an employee at one of Spain's top tech companies, where she designs digitalization and security solutions for multiple types of
infrastructure. Carried out as a final project for the University Master's Degree in Telecommunications Engineering, the study examines what needs to happen
for this renewal to take place and describes the network architecture and specific type of hardware required to secure the water supply chain, which is key
considering that climate change and population growth are making this resource increasingly scarcer.
Villar, who is listed as the study's first author, said: "In water treatment and management, there is a considerable lack of development and standardization
of digital protocols. Instead of creating a unique or inflexible design, we wanted to lay the foundations of operation to adapt this environment to the needs
of Industry 4.0 and Spanish legislation." Her master's degree final project is published in open access and was supervised by Victor Monzon Baeza, currently
a researcher at the University of Luxembourg. Having achieved excellent results, the study was later published in MDPI Smart Cities as a research paper co-
authored by Raúl Parada, researcher at the Telecommunications Technology Centre of Catalonia, and Carlos Monzo, member of the UOC Faculty of Computer
Science, Multimedia and Telecommunications.
A complex architecture
In their view, the renewal of critical infrastructures linked to the water supply chain should be based on an architecture that includes an action and measuring
group (a large array of on-site sensors) and an interference-free network to provide coverage and send data to the core computing group, the backbone of the
proposed solution. This part of the system would be responsible for collecting all the data from the sensors and executing commands for the actuators. These
commands could be entered manually by the operators in charge of maintaining the system or they could be automated to improve the response time of the
water management system. All data would be stored in NoSQL databases such as MongoDB, ideally deployed on high availability servers located in private data
processing centres (DPCs). These servers would be backed up and duplicated so that the system would remain up and running in the event of contingencies and
would not suffer service outages.
Such information could be extracted and studied through data analytics processors and uploaded to the cloud for further computation and the application of
artificial intelligence. The authors propose adopting the NB-IoT protocol for on-site devices, as it uses all the necessary communication security protocols, and
the 4G mobile network for connectivity, as it offers a high level of coverage.
Priority one: security
All systems involved would need to meet a series of requirements in order to comply with current regulatory criteria and achieve optimal performance.
These include factors such as high availability, updates without service disruption, a maintenance plan with 24/7 remote monitoring, and the possibility of
homogenizing data yields for processing.
In order to maintain system security, the authors advise having different and segmented infrastructures, whether physical or virtual, and "an infrastructure with
high availability with several firewalls in cluster mode, in such a way as to ensure the redundancy of the systems that support the solution."
Villar said: "Cybersecurity plays a vital role in these critical infrastructures, so it's crucial to consider the recommended guidelines. These include distributing
firewalls and servers in geographically independent locations to ensure high availability, so that a crash in one of these locations does not affect the rest, and
using two DPCs. Nobody wants some hacker to break into the system and leave a town without water."
Automated improvements
This digitalization process could automate many operations and roll out a variety of improvements, such as checking that water purification is high enough so
as not to alter the ecological environment, measuring the amount of energy consumed by the system, detecting and acting quickly on leaks in the supply chain,
monitoring the level of water purification treatment and determining the average number of hours the water supply service is interrupted per year.
The benefits of the proposed infrastructure would include the low economic cost and low power consumption of NB-IoT sensors; the wide range of sensors
available under the LPWAN solution, which allows long-range communication over the mobile network; and the low investment cost, as it leverages the existing
4G radio station infrastructure used by telephone operators. In addition, the use of an open-source management platform would improve compatibility with
other application codes that could be integrated with the platform.
Artificial intelligence
Looking further ahead, the authors advocate the use of hyperautomation and artificial intelligence systems as an additional implementation to be considered
in the future to reinforce preventive maintenance of network components and thus prevent incidents owing to worn parts. These robotic processes would also
eliminate possible human errors to a large extent, although it would always be necessary to have technical operators on hand to deal with unforeseen issues.
Villar said: "In Spain, water management systems are still very green as far as digitalization is concerned. They are rather old-fashioned and are hard to connect
to the internet, but it's the right time to set this process in motion and implement real-time monitoring to avoid wasting this resource, water, that is so precious
to humanity."
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14. Page 14

15. Article:
Why it’s smart to increase your
sewer network monitoring
Effectively managing hundreds of thousands of miles of sewer network is an unenviable task. And with ever-changing industry regulation, stricter statutory
targets, additional compliance and a growing abundance of technology, that task could easily be regarded as insurmountable. How can you ever know exactly
what’s going on throughout your entire network? It’s impossible. Or is it? Dave Walker, co-founder of Detectronic, investigates.
Expert supplier support and solutions are now widely available to enable every water company to achieve and exceed this challenging task and it all starts with the
decision to increase existing sewer network monitoring. The aim is to always be one step ahead and, ultimately, be in a position where you actually understand
the entire DNA of your sewer network.
Prevention is better than cure
• As defined by the Water Industry Act, 1991, the duties of a water and sewage company (WASC) in relation to wastewater services are:
• to provide, improve and extend a system of public sewers, and to cleanse and maintain them to ensure its area is effectively drained; and
• to make provision for emptying its sewers and the treatment of sewage.
Having had three decades to get to grips with these duties, several WASCs have forged ahead after realising they can effectively meet their duties AND comply
with stringent regulatory measures and targets by implementing smart network monitoring. Having strategic monitoring and predictive analytics in place is
enabling them to identify any issues before they arise. The old adage – “prevention is better than cure” – is now broadly accepted by the UK water industry.
But there is, as always, room for improvement! And, when we take into account the constantly evolving regulatory and compliance landscape, continual
improvement is ‘de rigeur’. It is one of the reasons, alongside the constant need to achieve cost-savings, that we have been encouraging water companies to
increase their sewer network monitoring for many years.
Meeting regulatory and industry compliance
Established in 1989 following the privatisation of the water and sewage industry in the UK, Ofwat is the non-ministerial organisation tasked with regulating the
water sector. One focus of Ofwat is the long-term stewardship of the environment, assets and relationships with customers. As such, along with Government
statutes and mandates, Ofwat sets specific regulations, measures and targets that water companies must adhere to and meet in order to avoid financial penalties
and, as a consequence, commercial and reputational damage.
As you would expect, these are all under constant scrutiny and subject to regular review. For example, back in March, the Government introduced legal measures
to reduce sewage discharges from storm overflows in a bid to reduce the harm to the environment.
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16. Storm overflows play a key role in preventing the sewer network from becoming overburdened with sewage and rainfall in the event of wet weather. They
provide a release for diluted wastewater in rivers. Unfortunately, the reliance on storm overflows has increased in the last few years as a result of an increased
number of annual rainfall events and a wastewater infrastructure that is being overwhelmed by an escalating population.
Forming part of a wider agenda to build a greener environment following the pandemic, these measures demand that water companies reduce their dependence
on storm overflows. As such, the Government hopes this will translate in a dramatic reduction in the levels of sewage in UK waterways over the long-term.
Part of the measures place a clear duty on WASCs to publish data on their annual storm overflow operations. They must also work closely with the Storm
Overflows Taskforce which was established in September 2020 to bring key stakeholders together to ensure progress. As part of this Taskforce, they have had
to commit to increasing the number of overflows they will improve on in the next five years. An additional 800 overflows will be investigated and almost 800
improved between 2020 and 2025.
And it’s not just statutory bodies that are holding WASCs to account. Surfers Against Sewage are just one of a number of environmental organisations that
are gaining increasing public support for their demands for stricter targets and increased transparency in relation to rivers and bathing water. Sympathy for
this cause only increases when we read headlines like those back in July outlining that a UK water company had received a record fine of £90 million from the
Environment Agency after pleading guilty to 6,971 un-permitted sewage discharges.
The shortcomings of the UK water industry are still many and varied but there is at least one clear and proven way to prevent pollutions for good and improve
performance at the same time and that is by increasing sewer network monitoring.
Helping water companies to prevent spills and pollutions, wherever they may occur, has been our day job since 1985. Almost all of the regulatory measures
demanded can be satisfied by implementing smart network monitoring and ensuring it covers the entire network. Why? Because only then can you understand
the entire DNA of your sewer network and manage it rather that it managing you. You can remain ahead, you can second guess, you will intuitively know what
is happening, where and why.
Take external flooding in trunk sewers. This is a very common issue. The sewer network has to stand up to so many challenges from natural weather events to
man-made problems. It’s inevitable that at certain times it will simply no longer be able to cope and flooding will occur. Being able to actually predict a problem
well in advance of it occurring is the result of increased network monitoring. Consistent, robust and highly accurate data facilitated by a combination of AI,
machine-learning (ML) and predictive analysis is the key to establishing a truly smart sewer network.
Take United Utilities. The company has embraced artificial intelligence (AI) and widely implemented it to pro-actively monitor and maintain its 78,000km
wastewater network to great effect. UU are investing billions to upgrade services and the use of real-time data, AI and machine learning to process data and give
advance warning of blockages or level increases.
Currently installing 19,000 sensors1 in manholes across its network in the north-west of England, UU wants to get ahead of any issue and tackle it before it
causes problems for either the environment or a customer is imperative. The ultimate aim is the creation of a real time performance and condition monitoring
platform that will enable efficient wastewater asset management across its wastewater catchments for decades to come.
ByinterfacingwithexistingdatasetsfromtheircurrentsystemssuchasSCADA/Telemetry,networkdatasets(sensors&monitors),predictiveanalytics,forecasting
(demand/load/weather), UU are harnessing the many benefits offered by AI and ML technologies to benefit the operating and maintenance of assets.
The solution will enable them to:
• observe and understand in ‘real-time’ the network’s performance
• react to new issues before they become a problem
• increase resilience
• enable an automated control system
• optimise network performance via increased visibility of accurate and quality data
• By enabling this, they will be able to:
• be more efficient with spending
• reduce carbon footprint
• progress effectively to intelligent optimisation
With 19,000 data points, UU will be in the enviable position of understanding the very DNA of its wastewater network. It will know how rainfall events affect the
asset. It will measure water levels to millimetric accuracy. It will know how exactly how each drainage area impacts on another. As such it will be able to predict
performance and identify any problems before they even occur. Now that’s smart.
Alongside UU, Southern Water have plans to deploy 30,000 sensors2 across their network and Severn Trent are currently in the process of installing 10,000 alarm
monitors3. Back in February, Thames Water announced they were trialling 300 sewer level monitors4 in a bid to prevent pollutions created by cooking fat and
wet wipes (the company has had to tackle several ‘fat bergs’ over the last few years). And, with a focus on solving the problems caused by CSOs, Anglian Water
have installed 700 Event Duration Monitors5 on CSOs in their catchment and plan to have a monitor on all of their CSOs by 2023.
So, it would appear that WASCs are taking a proactive approach to increasing their sewer network monitoring and we look forward to continuing to play a key
role in this essential area of wastewater management.
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17. Article:
Clamp-on ultrasonic measurement in
real-time water networks
Able to monitor water networks instantaneously, without the need for costly shutdowns or modifications to the pipeline, non-invasive clamp-on ultrasonic
flowmeters are reliably measuring flow rates and detecting leaks in water networks around the world.
Ultrasonic sensors are robustly attached to the outside of the pipe, and sound waves measure the velocity of the fluid inside. When regularly observing and
comparing the minimum consumptions at night, increasing flow rates indicate potential leaks. This allows these leaks to be located and repaired quickly,
reducing water loss and minimising the risk of damage to the pipeline.
Another advantage of clamp-on ultrasonic technology is that it can be used to optimise the flow of water through the network. Because engineers are able to
identify areas where the flow rate is too low or too high, it can be adjusted by opening or closing valves, therefore improving the efficiency of the network and
reducing energy costs.
Flow measurement at over 200 underground measuring points in a drinking water network
Preventing and reducing water loss has always been an economic necessity for water companies. But with the growing challenges presented by climate change,
the efficient use of this vital commodity is becoming ever more pressing.
A prosperous economic area in the heart of Europe, Frankfurt’s water supply has to cope with many demands in terms of both drinking water supply and
consumption. The high density of jobs in the city, as well as the airport, hotels, universities, hospitals and industrial companies all add to the increased water
supply requirements.
Clamp-on ultrasonic system for non-invasive flow measurement
With a keen awareness of the need to reduce water loss, the network operator of the Frankfurt energy and water supplier tasked FLEXIM with clamp-on
measurement as part of their “Water network monitoring through the creation and permanent operation of flow measurements“ project, as setting up a flow
measuring point in the drinking water supply network with this system would avoid the kind of considerable disruption and cost involved in the installation
of a traditional wetted flowmeter, which inevitably includes inconvenient civil engineering work. Clamp-on ultrasonic transducers are simply clamped to the
outside of the pipe, and do not affect the supply or risk any kind of contamination. And because the transducers used have protection class IP68, they can also
be permanently operated in buried locations where ground water could submerge them (or in flooded chambers).
Underground flow measurement without chamber construction
Because non-invasive measurement doesn’t suffer any wear and tear, there’s no maintenance involved. And thanks to a consistently robust design, flow
measurement points can be set up directly in the ground – entirely omitting the time-consuming process of constructing a chamber. This not only reduces the
installation effort but also significantly reduces the disruption to road traffic caused by lengthy civil engineering work. With the pipeline remaining completely
intact, subsequent flushing and leak testing are also unnecessary.
The greatest losses in a drinking water supply network are not caused by large burst pipes, which are noticed immediately and therefore quickly repaired, but by
small leaks over a long time. These gradual losses can best be detected by recording the minimum night-time flow rates in the smallest possible network areas.
If changes in the minimum flow rates are observed here, a leak can be concluded. This can then be tracked down and localised with leak detection systems.
Page 17

18. Leakage monitoring places high demands on the flow measurement technology used, especially with regard to measurement dynamics and accuracy, with the
inertia-free acoustic measuring method being highly sensitive to even the smallest currents. Thanks to the careful pairing of the transducers in the factory and
the storage of the calibration data on an integrated chip, flow measurement with ultrasonic clamp-on flowmeters does not require a zero-point calibration.
Hydrological insights
The benefits of flow measurement go much further than just leak detection and creation of a water balance - being able to actually see the flow reveals processes
in the water network that may not have been previously known about, from processes at the upstream network operator to hydrological abnormalities in the
distribution network, along with unusual consumption behaviour by customers.
Thanks to the installed flow measurements, the water network operator now has empirical data available which can, in future, be recalibrated with the computer
network model. This in turn facilitates the needs-based design of the network and optimises operational management.
Xylem’s Edge Control set to cut energy use by 25%
Global water utilities account for approximately 2% of global greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions – the equivalent of the world’s shipping industry – and this figure
is set to spiral. Xylem’s new suite of innovative digital solutions, Xylem Edge Control, will support wastewater utilities in mitigating a substantial portion of these
emissions, quickly and affordably. The Edge Control solutions will enable cash-strapped utilities to achieve compliance targets while cutting energy consumption
from aeration by up to 25%.
How Xylem’s Edge Control can help utilities save money on water treatment costs
Edge Control’s off-the-shelf suite of digital solutions for conventional activated sludge (CAS) plants enables wastewater operators to control and monitor their
assets, improve nutrient removal, save energy and reduce costs.
These high-efficiency technologies apply analytics to real-time data to provide utilities with rapid process recommendations to optimize chemical usage and
aeration. Edge Control combines four solutions:
• Xylem Edge Control Pulsed Aeration
• Xylem Edge Control Ammonia Removal
• Xylem Edge Control Ammonia + Nitrogen Removal
• Xylem Edge Control Phosphorous Removal1
Energy savings in practice
We spoke with Jason Ingram, Plant Superintendent at Muncie
Wastewater Treatment Plant, Indiana, where Xylem Edge Control Pulsed
Aeration – an energy saving solution that can prevent over-aeration of
under-loaded plants – has been installed: “Home to Ball State University,
the city of Muncie undergoes a major swing in population from around
70,000 people while school is in session to approximately 48,000 when
school is out of session. That’s a decrease in population of over 30%. It
is during these months of decreased load where we benefit from Pulsed
Aeration most."
"With our upgrades from Xylem’s Pulsed Aeration, we are able to save
$5,000 a month on energy costs.”
Pulsed Aeration is designed to improve the overall biological process
of CAS plants, to provide adequate mixing and ultimately achieving
energy savings. Research and implementation of Pulsed Aeration has
shown energy savings of approximately 25% can be achieved through
this breakthrough digital solution.
Commenting on the launch of Edge Control, Chris Taylor, Global Product
Manager at Xylem stated:
“Wastewater utilities are constantly striving to ensure service reliability
and compliance alongside the need to manage costs. Xylem Edge Control
helps utilities confidently walk that line.”
Edge Control brings together Xylem’s digital and deep bio-processing expertise in a suite of solutions that maximize process control while supporting utilities’
sustainability goals. The launch of the platform follows rigorous field testing across North America, including Washington and Indiana.
“Utilities around the world are well on the way to digitizing their networks and reaping major water, energy and cost efficiencies,” Taylor continued. “Xylem
Edge Control is a multi-functional solution that meets utilities where they are on that journey – setting them up to unlock more of the benefits of digital
transformation.”
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19. Monitoring the quality of our water resources is essential as well as a legal requirement, especially considering the challenges posed by climate change and
diminishing supplies. Accurate data on water quantity and quality plays a critical role in achieving this goal. The advancement of digital technologies has made
monitoring and analyzing water data more accessible, efficient, and effective. In this article, we will explore how Endress+Hauser digital solutions, specifically
the Netilion Connected Water Monitoring Kiosks, can contribute to controlling and improving water quality.
The Storm Overflows Discharge Reduction Plan outlines a phased approach to reducing storm overflow discharges, with specific targets and timelines for
decreasing their frequency and volume. The initial target is a 30% reduction in discharge frequency by 2025, followed by a 60% reduction by 2030, and
ultimately eliminating all "avoidable" storm overflow discharges by 2040.
Netilion-connected kiosk solutions provide enhanced water quality monitoring
and comply with the UK's Environment Act 2021 Section 82 and the Storm
Overflow reduction plan. They can help achieve these targets by offering
continuous monitoring and real-time data transmission, enabling informed
decision-making, progress tracking, and identification of areas for improvement.
These kiosks continuously monitor the water quality upstream and downstream
in the UK. By fulfilling the requirement to monitor water quality affected by
storm overflows, this system aims to reduce the amount of sewage overflowing
into rivers and seas. The information provided by these kiosks is valuable
for understanding the scale and impact of the problem, identifying areas for
improvement, and tracking progress toward reduction targets.
The kiosks are designed to measure the necessary key parameters, including
dissolved oxygen, temperature and pH values, turbidity, ammonia levels, and
other specified parameters that may be required in the future. They feature
the latest Memosens 2.0 technology, incorporating smart sensors to ensure
accurate measurements, heartbeat function, and real-time data transmission
through Netilion.
Memosens 2.0 offers extended storage of calibration and process data, enabling better trend identification, predictive maintenance, and enhanced IIoT services.
It ensures low operating costs through lab calibration and quick sensor exchange, minimizing process downtime and extending sensor lifetime.
Heartbeat function is a diagnostic and monitoring feature that provides real-time information about the instrument's health and performance. It enables
proactive maintenance and troubleshooting by continuously monitoring sensor integrity, calibration status, process conditions, and communication status.
When deviations or issues are detected, the heartbeat function generates alerts or notifications, allowing operators to take timely corrective actions. Its goal
is to ensure the reliability, accuracy, and optimal performance of Endress+Hauser instruments, thereby enhancing process efficiency and reducing downtime.
Netilion not only provides continuous measurements and self-diagnostics on field devices, but also facilitates compliance with stringent water&wastewater
treatment and processing regulations through automated documentation. Furthermore, its remote monitoring capabilities make accessing data from distant
or hard-to-reach water locations easier, saving time and increasing efficiency.
Dissolved Oxygen COS61D: The measuring sensor operates based on optical principles. It does not require user calibration and does not contain parts that
need to be replaced over time, such as electrodes and electrolytes, resulting in minimal maintenance requirements. The sensor includes a built-in temperature
Article:
Endress+Hauser Netilion Connected
Water Monitoring Guidance
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20. sensor that automatically compensates for ambient temperature variations. The dissolved oxygen transmitter can diagnose the connected sensor automatically,
requiring minimal programming.
pH and Temperature CPS11D/E: The pH measurement system utilizes Memosens 2.0 digital technology. As a result, all sensor data, including manufacturer data
(serial number, order code, production date), calibration data (calibration number and history), operating data, temperature application range, pH application
range, first commissioning date, maximum temperature value, and operating hours under extreme conditions, are stored in the electrode head. Information
such as sterilization number, CIP counter, and sensor load can be read from the transmitter.
Turbidity CUS52D: This sensor measures turbidity using the 90-degree reflected light principle according to the ISO 7027 standard. The sensor is made of
stainless steel, making it suitable for water applications, and its optical windows are constructed from scratch-resistant sapphire material. Cleaning options are
available for maintenance.
Ammonium ISE Max CAS40D: The sensor directly measures nitrate and ammonium, eliminating the need for costly sample conditioning. Optional potassium
and chloride measurements compensate for cross sensitivities, ensuring reliable results. It requires low maintenance with an automatic flushing unit. The
sensor can be installed directly on the basin rim, eliminating the need for a measuring container or sample-conveying pump. It offers easy handling and stores
sensor-specific data, thanks to Memosens. The CAS40D combines maximum process and data integrity with enhanced operating comfort, simplifying predictive
maintenance.
Transmitter CM44X: The transmitter automatically recognizes the connected sensor and requires minimal programming. It features a diagnostic heartbeat
function, allowing operators to determine the need for maintenance through the fault diagnosis feature.
In summary, Endress+Hauser Water Monitoring Kiosks offer:
- Compliance with the Environment Act 2021 and the Storm Overflows Discharge Reduction Plan.
- Enhanced water quality monitoring.
- Real-time data transmission.
- Early warning of potential issues.
E+H currently has this technology deployed on the continent and is ready to offer this service to the UK markets.
Water Utilities Must Use Innovative Digital Solutions To Optimize
Surging Infrastructure Investment
Governments, municipalities and system operators of water and wastewater systems are facing unprecedented challenges in managing their assets, due to
financial constraints, aging infrastructure, increasing demands from stakeholders, regulatory compliance obligations and a need to address pollution and drought-
related challenges. However, the recent announcement by Ofwat – the water services regulation authority for England and Wales – that water companies will
invest more than £1.6 billion in England over the next two years, along with the £10 billion pledge by industry body Water UK to address the problem of sewage
leaks, marks a significant victory for campaigners working towards cleaner rivers.
This landmark investment not only represents progress towards environmental goals, but also signifies a pivotal moment in securing the long-term sustainability,
resilience and security of the UK’s water and wastewater systems.
To effectively plan and allocate these substantial funds, water companies will need to harness digital solutions – in particular, the power of asset investment
planning (AIP) software. This will enable them to:
By integrating data on infrastructure assets, past performance, environmental variables and regulatory standards, AIP software empowers operators to precisely
evaluate asset conditions and prioritize investment initiatives based on risk levels, criticality and desired objectives.
AIP software offers insights into the costs associated with various investment projects, such as infrastructure upgrades, maintenance activities and environmental
improvements. By analysing cost-benefit ratios, financial risks and return on investment of multiple intervention options, water companies can make informed
decisions that balance the need for essential upgrades with environmental objectives and fund availability
Through precise evaluation of infrastructure performance, identification of vulnerable areas and simulation of investment scenarios, operators can prioritize and
execute measures to effectively mitigate environmental risks such as sewage discharges from storm overflows and emissions. This proactive approach ensures
regulatory compliance and contributes to the revitalization and preservation of water ecosystems.
Water and wastewater firms such as Northumbrian Water, South West Water and Thames Water have already seen significant benefits from partnering with AIP
vendors such as Arcadis Gen, DIREXYON, Ovarro and Probit Consulting. For example, Severn Trent Water created a comprehensive asset risk model using Arcadis
Gen’s AIP solution to support price reviews, create asset management plans and produce a green recovery plan that led to an additional £565 million investment
and 2,500 job opportunities. Anglian Water adopted Copperleaf’s AIP solution to align its strategic goal of reducing Scope 3 emissions by 70% and achieving net
zero by 2030, resulting in a 62% reduction in its capital carbon emissions.
“The commitment of water companies in England to invest £1.6 billion in environmental initiatives reflects a growing recognition of the urgent need to address
sustainability challenges across the water industry”, stated Kiran Darmasseelane, Senior Analyst at Verdantix. “With its ability to streamline decision-making,
improve regulatory compliance and optimize financial resource allocation, AIP software has emerged as an indispensable tool for water companies committed
to building a sustainable future.”
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21. Water, Wastewater & Environmental Monitoring Conference & Exhibition
Birmingham, UK
9th - 10th October 2024
WWEM is moving to the Birmingham NEC in 2024. Planning is still underway but the firm favourites like the Flow Forum,
Instrumentation Apprentice Competition and the Learning Zone will be returning as well as some surprises. Watch this space for
updates but what is sure that in its new home in Birmingham the WWEM Conference and Exhibition will be bigger than ever.
Sensor for Water Interest Group Workshops
The Sensors for Water Interest Group has moved their workshops for the foreseeable future to an online webinar format. The next
workshops are
12th July 2023 - Manchester - Monitoring CSOs Part 2 - Success Stories
IWA Digital Water Summit
Bilbao, Spain
14th -16th November 2023
The highly successful IWA Digital Water Summit returns to Bilbao in November 2023 for its 2nd edition. These dates are provisional
at the moment. The 1st summit highlighted the potential and the 2nd summit will build on the first in November 2023
Sensing in Water 2023
Nottingham, UK
27th -28th September 2023
After its break due to the Covid Pandemic the Sensors in Water Group 2-day conference returns to the Nottingham Belfry to talk
about all things sensing. What this space for more updates
Global Leakage Summit
London, UK
5th -6th September 2023
The Global Leakage Summit returns to London in September, 4-6 at the Thistle Hotel (formerly Amba), Marble Arch, London, for its
13th year, bringing to delegates the usual mix of top quality UK and international water utility speakers it has become renowned for.
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Conferences, Events,
Seminars & Studies
Conferences, Seminars & Events
2022 Conference Calendar

22. Page 22