27th & 28th November 2024
ExCeL London, E16 1XL

Free to attend talks & seminars
focussing on industry specific subjects

SEMINARS & PRESENTATIONS

Please click the tabs below for the individual theatres

Flood & Drainage Theatre
SuDS Theatre
Waterways Theatre

Flood & Drainage Theatre Day 1 - Wednesday 27th November

We are currently working our way through this year's talks and seminars will be updated as we go, so keep checking in as we are aiming to have the full programme published shortly.

Please double check before leaving for the event, if you are particularly interested in a presentation - just in case.

11:00

Nutrient Neutrality

Presented by: Brad Taylor - Managing Director - WCI Group

FLOOD & DRAINAGE

Nutrient Neutrality – not just a tightening of wastewater regulation, but a seismic shift in planning requirement preventing the construction of more than 160,000 homes across 74 planning authorities.

Join Brad for a summary of the requirement, who it affects and how different authorities are interpreting Nutrient Neutrality. We’ll discuss how the Levelling Up and Regeneration Bill has worsened the postcode lottery of impact on different developments before reviewing the range of mitigation solutions (and their advantages and disadvantages) that are available to developers to achieve Nutrient Neutrality.

Brad is Managing Director of WCI, a leading civil engineering firm with 40+ years experience of the changing regulatory environment surrounding water and wastewater. Brad has been at the forefront of the industry response to Nutrient Neutrality and is most notably recognised for gaining approval for ‘end of pipe’ mitigation solutions.

11:40

How to be Flood Ready

Presented by: Paul Shaffer - Director of Innovation and Delivery

FLOOD & DRAINAGE

CIWEM has been supporting the sector and those interested in flood resilience for a number of years.

The institution champions good practice and professional competency on Property Flood Resilience (PFR) and earlier in the year launched BeFloodReady a Community of Practice focused on improving the delivery and understanding of PFR (https://befloodready.ciwem.org/).

This presentation will provide an overview of the Code of Practice for PFR and the support available to improve PFR delivery.

12:20

Preparing for AMP 8 - Bespoke Training

Presented by: Frank Reilly - JBP Trenchless Training

FLOOD & DRAINAGE

The main objective of AMP 8, covering the period from 2025 to 2030, is to enhance resilience and sustainability within the UK water industry. This includes addressing climate change & emissions reduction challenges, improving water quality, reducing leakage, and ensuring reliable water supply and wastewater services.

13:00

The Importance of Flood Planning in New Developments

Presented by: Simon Crowther - CEO - FPS Environmental

FLOOD & DRAINAGE

Flood risk is a growing concern due to climate change, increased rainfall, and urbanisation, making it crucial to consider in new developments.

This talk will highlight current flood risks, alongside why proactive planning is essential for protecting property, ensuring safety, and future-proofing infrastructure. It will explore strategies, such as resilient design and sustainable drainage, that developers can implement.

Looking ahead, the talk will discuss the need for innovative policies, technology integration, and collaboration to ensure that new developments are not only equipped to handle today’s risks but are adaptable to future challenges.

13:40

Forecast With Flood AI

Presented by: Caitlin Rogers - Principal Innovation Consultant - Isle Utilities Ltd

FLOOD & DRAINAGE

The FloodAI project is attempting to provide a means of flood warning to rapid response catchments by developing and testing a wireless sensor network and an artificial intelligence model to better predict flash flooding.

The project is funded by Defra as part of the £200 million Flood and Coastal Innovation Programmes which is managed by the Environment Agency. The programmes will drive innovation in flood and coastal resilience and adaptation to a changing climate. Caitlin Rogers, Isle Utilities, is the Innovation Partner for FloodAI and is leading on the adoption of the flood warning system.

15:20

The CAMELLIA Water Info Hub: a communal website for integrated water management.

Presented by: Adrian Butler - Professor of Subsurface Hydrology; CAMELLIA PI - Imperial College

FLOOD & DRAINAGE

CAMELLIA (Community Water Management for a Liveable London), a 5 year project funded by NERC, is ending. Outcomes from the project are available through our “Water Info Hub” (waterinfohub.org).

The talk will introduce the hub, illustrate how it can be used and provide some reflections on what we’ve learnt on our CAMELLIA journey.

Adrian Butler is Professor of Subsurface Hydrology in the Department of Civil & Environmental Engineering, Imperial College London. His teaching and research are focussed on measuring, analysing and modelling the movement and quality of water in the natural and engineered environment to improve its management and use.

Flood & Drainage Theatre Day 2 - Thursday 28th November

We are currently working our way through this year's talks and seminars will be updated as we go, so keep checking in as we are aiming to have the full programme published shortly.

Please double check before leaving for the event, if you are particularly interested in a presentation - just in case.

11:00

The Drainage Operative Apprenticeship Launch

Presented by: Bruce Taylor - Chair of the National Drainage Academy

FLOOD & DRAINAGE

This will be a panel presentation of the new apprenticeship scheme. Panel members will be:

David Morgan, Head of Business Development, Sales and Marketing at Energy & Utility Skills

Jeremy Pridgeon, Head of Sales and Marketing, PQMS Training

Tony Ryde, Chief Operations Officer at Smart Awards

11.:45

Surface Water Management

Presented by: Jonathan Hunter - Environment Agency

FLOOD & DRAINAGE

Surface water flooding is localised and complex. There are currently 3.2 million properties in areas at risk in England. It is a real and growing threat to life, property, infrastructure, and to the economy. Our changing climate will bring more intense rainfall which makes it essential to increase community resilience to surface water flooding.
The Environment Agency has a strategic overview role for all sources of flooding. The talk will set out the strategic leadership role and recent successes in enabling and supporting local authorities and partners in surface water flood risk management.

Jonathan is the Surface Water and Water Industry Manager in the Flood and Coastal Risk Management Department of the Environment Agency. He has 25 years’ experience in flood risk management

12:25

Sustainable Drainage? Delivering Multiple Benefits in Urban Areas

Presented by: Terry Smithson - Head of Nature-Based Solutions - BioScapes

FLOOD & DRAINAGE

Sustainable Drainage Systems should deliver multiple benefits. In our urban areas, however, where space is limited, it can be difficult to address planning requirements and provide for the four pillars of SuDS.

This seminar will explore simple solutions which deliver benefits beyond conveyance, bringing biodiversity to our hard landscapes where this is most needed. Adding biodiversity can, in turn, improve water quality and provide amenity value to enhance the public realm.

Terry has a deep understanding of species and ecosystems and of how this benefits humankind and has brought about biodiversity restoration through placed-based interventions, and landscape scale change.

More recently, with BioScapes he has developed a suite of compact habitat units designed to simplify water management and biodiversity provision within our built environment.

13:05

Rethinking Rain: Strategic Innovation for a Resilient Future

Presented by: Dr Sarah Bunney - Our Rainwater

FLOOD & DRAINAGE

Our climate is changing, and the urgency for strategic solutions to manage environmental challenges is more pressing than ever. In this seminar, Dr Sarah Bunney will present on behalf of Our Rainwater, leading a thought-provoking discussion on the importance of scaling up rainwater management through strategic and optimised approaches.

As a leader in the industry, Our Rainwater has been at the forefront of leveraging digital innovation to empower communities in capturing and storing rainwater, reducing surface water flooding, and minimising sewer spills into our waterways.

Dr Bunney will delve into how advanced analytics and data-driven strategies can transform rainwater management practices, enabling the development of community-centric solutions that are both effective and sustainable. She will also explore the role of digital tools in validating the impact of these initiatives, ensuring measurable outcomes and compliance with regulatory standards.

Additionally, the presentation will highlight the significance of building strong partnerships with local authorities, water companies, and communities, emphasising how technology can bridge these relationships and foster greater engagement. This seminar session will offer valuable insights into the future of rainwater management, demonstrating how strategic scaling and innovation can lead to more resilient and sustainable urban environments.

14:35

Water Dragons Presentations

Presented by: Paul Horton - CEO - Future Water Assoc

FLOOD & DRAINAGE

Now in its 16th Year, Water Dragons provides a unique opportunity for companies from across the globe to pitch product, service or process innovations to a panel of senior water company executives and industry specialists.

Like all the best ideas, the fundamentals underpinning Water Dragons are simple and straightforward. Companies pitch their innovative product or service to the judges or ‘Dragons’, who cross-examine the presenters, focusing on three key areas:

Have they clearly identified the potential size and value of the market?
Have the presenters thought through how their innovation would be implemented?
No innovation operates in a vacuum – how will its introduction impact on existing operations, working practices and systems?

15:40

Rainwater Management - Innovative Solutions for a Changing Climate

Presented by: Steve Neville - Specification Manager - Hauraton

FLOOD & DRAINAGE

Are you ready to tackle the challenges of climate change, in the world of rainwater management?

Steve will take you on a journey through the evolution of rainwater management, revealing how HAURATON's innovative approach can revolutionise urban landscapes. As climate patterns shift and surface flooding increases, understanding and adapting our drainage systems is even more critical.

Join rainwater management expert Steve Neville for an eye-opening presentation on transforming our approach to rainwater in the face of climate change. With 18 years industry experience, Steve will draw on his extensive knowledge to highlight how shifting weather patterns are increasing flood risks and present innovative solutions and real-world success stories that demonstrate how to enhance urban resilience and improve water quality. Join us and together, let’s build a better world.

SuDS Theatre Day 1 - Wednesday 27th November

We are currently working our way through this year's talks and seminars will be updated as we go, so keep checking in as we are aiming to have the full programme published shortly.

Please double check before leaving for the event, if you are particularly interested in a presentation - just in case.