National Debate on Resilience in the Water Sector

'What next for combined sewer overflows?'

Combined sewer overflows (CSOs) have been brought to the attention of the public and politicians following water quality campaigns by environmental protection groups, activists and the media.

CSOs have long been used to release the pressure on sewer systems during periods of heavy rainfall. CSOs deliver an essential task, discharging excess water into rivers and the sea during intense rainfall events to avoid flooding of homes, roads, and open spaces, and from overloading wastewater treatment plants. When this happens, rainwater mixed with sewage is released into the environment. Water companies have been accused of using CSOs irresponsibly – for example, using CSOs when it is not raining, not maintaining them correctly, and having a poor understanding of where these assets are and when they are being used.

Swimmers, surfers and other users of surface waters and bathing areas have become increasingly concerned about the impacts CSO discharges have on water quality and the associated health risks. 

For many years CSOs have been an unknown part of the wastewater system, often hidden by overgrown vegetation and only recognised by engineers during their walks along riverbanks, lakes or beaches. Now, CSOs are viewed sceptically as an old-fashioned asset with an unacceptable function that gives water companies a way – or an excuse – to avoid treatment costs and delay infrastructure investment. However, if CSOs weren’t there, we would surely have much more to complain about.  

The overall question for the debate will be: how can we make CSOs more acceptable and reconcile their role in managing wastewater, or are there better ways of managing our sewer systems?

The National Water Resilience Debate is an annual event hosted by Cranfield University and organised by the EPSRC Centre for Doctoral Training in Water Infrastructure and Resilience (WIRe).

Keynote speakers

Giles Bristow – CEO, Surfers Against Sewage

Claire Walsh – Professor in Water Security, Newcastle University

Mark Worsfold – Director of Asset Management, South West Water

Peter Hammond – Windrush Against Sewage Pollution

Debate panellists

Philippa Mohan – WIRe researcher, the University of Sheffield

Tom Stephenson – Professor of Water Sciences, Cranfield University 

Karen Shackleton – Ilkley Clean River Group

Giles Bristow – CEO, Surfers Against Sewage

Peter Hammond – Windrush Against Sewage Pollution

Claire Walsh – Professor in Water Security, Newcastle University

Mark Worsfold – Director of Asset Management, South West Water

Who should attend

Professionals, politicians, civil servants, academics, members of the public active or interested in the UK water sector or related areas.

Cost

How to register

Registrations have now closed.