Our annual conference of the UK Water Network will take place at Cranfield University on the 19 June 2024.

Overview

This conference is the seventeenth in an annual series focusing on drinking water production from source to tap. The event provides an excellent opportunity for attendees to get the latest information on water treatment and supply, an interact on the topic with scientists and researchers from water utilities and leading global academic institutions.

“As a vital industry we are seeing the impact of climate change and increasing demand on resources, water quality and operations. There is also an expectation of higher standards for our operations set against a background of achieving net zero. Sharing and exchanging knowledge between academia and industry, scientists and engineers, universities and industry practitioners is increasingly important for us to facilitate the development and identification of sustainable solutions to a range of emerging issues.”

– Prof John Fawell, Chair of the UK Water Network.

As every year, our conference will also feature a session dedicated to young and early career researchers with a series of 5-minute presentations.

We invite early career researchers to submit an application for a talk on their work and most recent research advances on innovations for water treatment. A jury, composed of water professionals and researchers, will vote for the best early career researcher’s presentation, with a best presentation prize of £200 (as vouchers), sponsored by the IWA UK Committee, being awarded during the conference.

Applications for a 5-minute early career researcher presentation can be summitted to Kristell Le Corre Pidou on k.s.lecorrepidou@cranfield.ac.uk using the Word template. Applications must include:

  • A presentation title.
  • A short abstract (not more than 200 words).
  • A short bio (100 words max).
  • A profile picture.

Deadline for submitting your application for 5-minute early career researcher presentation: 29 May 2024.

Please note that we have a limited number of short presentations slots, so if you apply for a talk, we cannot guarantee that your talk will be selected.

 

The 17th conference of the UK Water Network is sponsored by CPL/Puragen Activated Carbons

CPL/Puragen Activated Carbons is a leading UK-based supplier of activated carbon purification solutions, to a range of industries including drinking water, renewable energy and waste management. In addition to a wide selection of FiltraCarb® media, we can also supply AquaSorber® mobile carbon filters on a convenient ‘plug & play’ rental basis. Wherever possible, spent carbons are recycled via our REACT-Sys™ thermal reactivation process at our award-winning facility in Immingham. Our aim is technical excellence, recent examples including the development of the FiltraCarb® CH range optimised for PFAS removal and subsequent destruction. We hold ISO9001, ISO14001, ISO45001 and UK REACH accreditation.

Event programme

 

09:30-10:00 Registration and welcome coffee.
10:00-10:05 Welcome - Irene Carra, Lecturer in Chemical Processes, Cranfield Water Science Institute, UK.
10:05-10:10 Introduction to the conference - John Fawell, Visiting Professor and Chair of the UK Water Network, Cranfield Water Science Institute, UK.
10:10-10:40 Session 1:

Wastewater effluents impact PFAS concentrations at Drinking water treatment plants: Sucralose and Predicted De facto Wastewater Reuse Levels Correlate with PFAS Levels in Surface Waters.
Paul Westerhoff, Regents Professor in the School of Sustainable Engineering and the Built Environment at Arizona State University and the Fulton Chair of Environmental Engineering, USA.
10:40-11:00 Evolving strategies for a changing environment.
Jenny Banks, Technical Specialist, Yorkshire Water, UK
11:00-11:20 Disinfection by-products: Managing the chlorate risk.
Gareth Herron, Associate Process Engineer, Mott MacDonald, UK
11:20-11:50 Coffee break.
11:50-12:20 Session 2:

Combination of physical and chemical treatment processes to remove and degrade PFAS from contaminated resources.
Jean Philippe Croué, Professor in Environmental Science and Engineering, Université de Poitiers, France.
12:20-12:40 PFAS – A challenge for Regulators and Water Suppliers.
John Fawell, visiting Professor, Cranfield University, UK
12:40-13:00 The future of lead in drinking water – A Scottish perspective.
Andrew Kennedy, Operations Team Leader, Drinking Water Quality Regulator for Scotland, UK.
13:00-14:00 Lunch break.
14:00-15:00 Early career researchers session, sponsored by the IWA UK Committee.
15:00-15:30 Session 3:

Experiences with indirect potable reuse in the Flemish dunes (Belgium).
Emmanuel van Houtte , Geologist, Aquaduin, Belgium.
15:30-16:00 Coffee break.
16:00-16:20 Unintended impacts of chlorine on biofilms: Is less, more?”
Katherine Fish, Research Fellow in Water Systems Microbiology, the University of Sheffield, UK.
16:20-16:40 Title TBC – Theme: On-line total microbial monitoring in drinking water.
Anna Whittaker, Channel Sales Manager – Europe, bNovate Technologies, UK.
16:40-16:50 Sponsored ERC presentation prize.
16:50-17:00 Concluding remarks and conference close - Irene Carra, Lecturer in Chemical Processes, Cranfield Water Science Institute, UK.

Location and travel details

Stafford Cripps SC2, Building 41, Cranfield University

How to find us

Who should attend

Water company employees
Consultants for the water sector
Public health professionals
Those working in drinking water quality
Regulators
Supply chain companies
Academic and industry researchers working in drinking water treatment and supply

Cost

£225 per delegate; £90 per student. Alumni discount - 10% off the standard delegate fee. UK Water Network members: Free registration for up to three delegates per member organisation, then standard delegate fees apply.

How to register

To register for the event please complete the online form.