Ideas in Action – SiW25 Workshop Sessions Unpacked

Alongside the main conference sessions, Sensing in Water 2025 will feature four interactive, forward-thinking workshops designed to spark fresh thinking, honest discussion, and practical collaboration. These parallel sessions create space for deeper dives, real-time feedback, and open conversations about what’s next in water sensing.

Here’s what we've got lined up:

Workshop 1: Pitch & Progress – Innovation Clinic for the Water Sector

Innovation doesn’t need to be perfect — it just needs a platform. This supportive session gives selected contributors the opportunity to pitch new or emerging ideas to an audience of water professionals, researchers, and potential collaborators. Whether your concept is fully developed or still at idea stage, this is your chance to gather feedback and build momentum.

Each 10-minute pitch will be followed by an informal discussion with a panel of SWIG Board members, offering practical suggestions and next steps.

🔹 Confirmed contributors: Seneye, CSignum, digiLab

Chaired by: Rob Stevens (Proteus Instruments), with support from Mike Strahand (SWIG)

Workshop 2: From Crisis to Control – How Smart Sensing Tackles Burst Rising Mains and Prevents Pollution

Rising mains and other critical assets are often monitored reactively — with bursts and pollution only addressed after the fact. This workshop invites participants to explore how smart sensors, IoT integration, and real-time data could shift this approach from reactive to proactive.

The session brings together insights from across the supply chain to examine the current challenges and consider opportunities for earlier fault detection, predictive analytics, and more effective alarms. Together, we’ll explore what’s needed to help modernise infrastructure and reduce pollution risk — and what’s holding us back.

🔹 Confirmed contributors: Jordan Vaughan (Anglian Water), Tori Roberts (StormHarvester), Adam Cartwright (Siemens), Peter Henley (WRc), Anna Andersson (Klarian), Paul Horton (Future Water Association), James Ballard (Severn Trent)

Chaired by: Kat Dobbs (Anglian Water) and Sarah Brooks (Klarian)

Workshop 3: Regulators Roundtable – The Future Role of Sensors in Wastewater Regulation

Sensor data is becoming increasingly important in the regulatory landscape — but how do we ensure technology, policy, and operations evolve together?

This roundtable invites regulators, utilities, academia, and the supply chain to discuss the current state and future potential of sensors in monitoring discharges, treatment performance, and receiving waters. The focus will be on open dialogue, long-term thinking, and finding shared priorities across the sector.

🔹 Confirmed contributors: Dr Heather Smith (Cranfield University), Dom Shepherd (Environment Agency), Paul Horton (Future Water Association)

Chaired by: Leo Carswell (WRc) and Oliver Grievson (AtkinsRéalis)

Workshop 4: European Collaborations in Water Sensor Research and Policy

Europe’s collaborative research landscape offers huge potential for the UK water sector — but how do we engage with it effectively?

This session will introduce leading EU academic/industry projects across different stages of development, followed by breakout discussions focused on building, managing, and learning from collaborative research initiatives. It’s a chance to share insight, meet potential partners, learn about funding opportunities, and understand how cross-border collaboration can support innovation in water sensing.

🔹 Confirmed contributors: Dr James Shucksmith, Prof Simon Tait, Dr Will Shepherd, Dr Isabel Douterelo (University of Sheffield), Dr Manu Picallo (Universidade da Coruña), Till Zwede (Zaitrus), Dr Sonja Ostojin (Cura Terrae), Darren Reynolds (UWE)

Projects showcased: CoUD-Labs, ZAITRUS, Twin Waters

Chaired by: Dr Andy Nichols (University of Sheffield) and Prof Richard Luxton (UWE)

These workshops are your chance to step off the main stage and into the conversation. Whether you want to explore solutions, ask tough questions, or shape future direction, there’s something here for you.