Operational Efficiencies - Measuring, Controlling and Optimising Wastewater and Bioresources for AMP8

The wastewater sector is being asked to do more than ever before. We need to improve compliance, reduce pollution risk, manage tighter permits, reduce process emissions, use less energy and chemicals, make better use of existing assets and extract more value from sludge and bioresources. At the same time, many of the assets we rely on are complex, ageing, highly variable and sometimes not as well instrumented or controlled as we would like. 

This SWIG workshop will focus on the practical role of instrumentation, control, automation and analytics in improving operational performance across wastewater treatment and bioresources. The aim is to move beyond the theory and focus on what is really working on operational sites: what has been measured, how the data has been trusted, what decision changed, and what benefit was delivered. 

The day will be water-company-led and case-study-led, with space for regulators, researchers and technology providers where they can bring evidence and practical learning. The focus should be on honest lessons from trials, deployments and operational experience: what worked, what did not, and what the sector should do differently as we move through AMP8. 

Attendees should leave with a clearer view of where measurement and control can make a real difference, what good looks like in practice, and how wastewater and bioresources teams can use better operational intelligence to improve compliance, efficiency, carbon performance and resilience. 

Morning session – Wastewater applications

Wastewater treatment, process stability, compliance, emissions, energy, chemicals and operational control.

Chair – Rich Bragg, United Utilities

Afternoon session – Bioresources applications

Bioresources, sludge treatment, digestion, biogas, logistics, process safety, IED compliance, resource recovery and resilience.

Chair – Gary McClarty, United Utilities

Agenda

09:00 – Registration & Refreshments

09:30 – Welcome & Introduction – Rich Bragg, United Utilities

09:35 – Martin Hardwidge, AUMA: Reducing Actuation Failure & Improving Reliability

10:05 – Oliver Hallett, Air Technology: Control Optimisation for ASP Efficiency

10:35 – Refreshments & Networking

11:05 – Alec Kimble, Bi-Zen: Process Insights for Optimisation & Emissions

11:35 – Pascal Lang, Xylem: Turning Data into Wastewater Treatment Outcomes

12:05 – Lunch & Networking

13:05 – Introduction – Gary McClarty, United Utilities

13:10 – Gary McClarty & Ben Read, United Utilities: TBC

13:40 – David Taylor, GEA: Optimising Centrifuge Performance

14:10 – Refreshments & Networking

14:40 – Steve Bungay, Haskoning: Ephyra – Optimising Advanced Sludge Treatment

15:10 – Stuart Ainsworth, Hach: Advanced Control Strategies for Ultra-Low Targets

15:40 – Closing Remarks

15:45 – Close