Industry leaders will convene at the Water Infrastructure Forum 2023 on 27 November, to explore strategies for improving resilience of the UK’s water system that will deliver the infrastructure needed to support growing demand.
The event, hosted by international law firm, Addleshaw Goddard, in London, will provide an opportunity for the key players in water infrastructure to come together and share ideas in a critical area for the sector.
In March this year, the House of Lords Industry and Regulators Committee published a report that highlighted three key challenges facing the water sector: water pollution, future water supply, and a lack of co-ordination. All these issues will be tackled head on at this year’s forum.
The primary focus for the forum will be the planning and delivery of new water infrastructure, but other themes to be explored, include demand management, new innovations to improve resilience, the impact of National Policy Statements (NPS) on new projects, and reducing leakage to future-proof the network.
It will also cover collaboration and communication needed to deliver necessary infrastructure projects and explore the most effective strategies to meet net zero targets by 2030. The day will allow water infrastructure and planning leaders to share ideas that look to address existing challenges and discuss ways to support future development.
A keynote speaker at this year’s event will be Kate Kendall, Director, Future Assets and Resources at Ofwat, who’ll be looking at ways to ensure the development of infrastructure and increase resilience within the system, and how to foster joined-up thinking on water resources.
There will be a range of panel discussions throughout the day. Lee Dance, Organisational Director at Water Resources South East and Tania Flasck, Non-Executive Director at British Water, will examine how best to achieve the balance of supply versus demand, to ensure adequate resources. They’ll also debate wastewater, the limitations of the current system, and why a whole system approach is needed.
A range of other leading water infrastructure experts in the industry will also explore:
- Ongoing initiatives to achieve net zero by 2030 and next steps.
- How to ensure a pipeline of projects is deliverable.
- Innovations and new technologies improving resilience.
The event will be chaired by Paul Horton, CEO at Future Water Association. With over 25 years’ experience with NGO’s, charities and trade organisations across the water and environment sector, Mr Horton is currently helping to deliver on Future Water Association’s ambitious agenda.
Mr Horton said:
“The Water Infrastructure Forum offers a unique opportunity for key players in the water sector to come together, share ideas, and develop effective strategies concerning the planning and delivery of new infrastructure that will future-proof the water network.
“It’s a critical time for the industry as we look to develop a joined-up approach on policy and new innovations that will improve resilience, both within current, and future infrastructure projects.
“There will be plenty of opportunities for attendees to network with significant stakeholders in the water sector, including those leading on planning and delivering water infrastructure.”
The event is being organised by Waterfront Conference Company. Waterfront delivers physical and virtual policy conferences for the planning, energy, rail, ports and maritime sectors.
For more information and to register for the Water Infrastructure Forum 2023, visit the event website https://waterfront.eventscase.com/EN/waterinfrastructure23
