Water is arguably the planet’s most valuable resource. Without water, no life can possibly be sustained. It is the foundation of every ecosystem and is fundamental to human existence.
Unfortunately, somewhere along the line, our current society has lost sight of this fundamental reality and is conducting activity that is placing our water supply at risk. But what are the biggest concerns that we’re facing and how can we look to mitigate the risks associated with them?
A water world in crisis
Research suggests that the global water crisis is deepening, with pollution, climate change, and overconsumption posing significant threats to our water resources. Addressing these challenges will require industry collaboration, urgent action, and innovative solutions.
Results from the recent National Environmental Services Survey – commissioned by ESS Expo, in association with the CIWM, the Environmental Services Association (ESA), and charity Groundwork – revealed a shared concern about the threats facing our freshwater supplies. One of the most alarming survey findings highlighted that 100% of respondents – all 1,498 of the water sector professionals surveyed – expressed concerns about pollution in rivers. Meanwhile, the vast majority (99%) of the surveyed professionals believe climate change will significantly impact water resource management.
So, we’ve established that water sector professionals are deeply concerned about water resource management in the UK, specifically the state of river pollution. But what factors are driving this? Ageing infrastructure, agricultural runoff containing fertilisers and pesticides, and industrial discharges, are among some of the worst offenders when it comes to river pollution. However, the alarming number of illegal sewage spills in the UK[1] – potentially up to 6,000 in one year – cannot be ignored and is painting a troubled picture of our environmental health and conservation efforts.
While this issue demands immediate action, it also presents a crucial opportunity. By fostering collaboration and partnerships across sectors, we can not only protect our waterways but also create a more sustainable, circular economy and treat wastewater as a valuable resource.
The sector needs to adopt a unified approach between government, industry, and environmental organisations – only when this happens will we be able to effectively tackle water pollution.
Welcoming World Water Week
Helping to raise awareness and drive change in this area is World Water Week. This is an annual gathering in Stockholm, Sweden, convened by the Stockholm International Water Institute. Since its inception in 1991, it has grown into a global platform dedicated to addressing pressing water challenges.
Bringing together governments, businesses, NGOs, and experts from around the world, the event fosters collaboration, innovation, and awareness around water resources. Its primary objectives are to illuminate the critical importance of water, facilitate partnerships among diverse stakeholders, stimulate the development of cutting-edge water solutions, and establish a global agenda for water-related action. The 2024 theme, “Bridging Borders: Water for a Peaceful and Sustainable Future,” underscores the interconnected nature of water resources and the imperative for international cooperation in securing a sustainable future for all.
Water management at ESS Expo
This topic will play a key role at this year’s Water Resource Management Expo (WRM) as part of ESS Expo, the world-leading event for the environmental services industry, and will cover everything from water conservation strategies and innovative water management practices to flood management, contamination and pollution to the water environment. The show’s extensive speaker programme will explore some of the biggest innovations, solutions and challenges around the topic, and feature speakers from prominent sector organisations including Ofwat, Yorkshire Water, the Environment Agency, Flood Technology Group, AMCON Europe, Southern Water, and more.
The session, ‘National Highways 2030 Water Quality Plan’, presented by Mike Whitehead, Team Leader for Environmental Sustainability Strategy & Water Environment at the National Highways will explore the organisation’s plans to address potential pollution to the water environment, arising from the historic development of the SRN (Southern Water Services Ltd), from its highest risk discharges by 2030.
Meanwhile, the Q&A event, ‘Exploring Solutions to Pollution and Storm Overflow Challenges’ will be hosted by Darren Eckford of the CIWEM, Keith Herbert, Pathfinder Delivery Lead at Southern Water and Sam Sweeney, Improving Water Company Regulation Manager, at Environment Agency. The interactive session will cover the root causes of these issues and delve into innovative solutions like advanced treatment and green infrastructure, using real-world case studies to demonstrate successful implementation.
Later, Grace Miller, Account Manager and Owen Lauder, Business Development Manager at Previsico will lead their session, ‘A data driven approach to better understanding drainage asset performance’ which will highlight the importance of understanding the drainage network’s condition, performance, and risk.
Additionally, Terry Smithson, Head of Nature based Solutions at BioScapes Limited will present ‘Looking beyond carbon myopia: Why a focus on Biodiversity can deliver so much more’ which will discuss why a richness in biodiversity is essential for maintaining our environment and natural resources.
To protect our water supply and our planet, we desperately need change our current course of action and we all have a role to play. World Water Week (and ESS Expo) serves as a crucial platform to turn this tide. By fostering international collaboration and innovative solutions, we can ensure a future with clean water for generations to come.
To register to attend ESS Expo 2024 from 11-12 September at the NEC, Birmingham, click here.
Download the full National Environmental Services Survey report for free, here.
[1] https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c4nn46rjej6o
