12th Conference of the UK Wastewater Network | 2024

Our annual conference of the UK Wastewater Network took place at Cranfield University on 26 November 2024.

This edition was the twelveth in an annual series addressing innovative treatment options for wastewater.

The UK wastewater network yearly conference addresses critical topics, following on for the very successful event dedicated to ammonia in 2023, this year our conference brought together industry leaders, environmental experts, policymakers, and researchers to explore the latest advancements and strategies in bioresources management. The production and management of solids in the wastewater sector has been focused on creating a safe material that can be used to improve soils and energy through anaerobic digestion. Many innovations have been demonstrated in the last few years, making sludge handling and processes more efficient and the area continues to evolve. Nevertheless, concerns around contaminants such as microplastics, heavy metals, and PFAS are putting pressure on the wastewater sector and innovative approaches to sludge management are being prioritised to address these risks while still benefiting from the energy, minerals, and nutrient value locked within the bioresources. This conference was organised to foster collaboration and innovation to unlock the full potential of bioresources derived from wastewater. Attendees had the opportunity to engage in insightful discussions and network with key water professionals committed to developing sustainable solutions to shape the future of bioresources and contributing to a more sustainable and resilient water indust

This year’s programme featured a great mixture of national and international speakers, both academics and industry leaders, discussing the challenges and innovations related to this year’s topic, including:

• Richard Lancaster, Global Bioresources Director, AI&M, AtkinsRéalis, UK.What Next for Bioresources – A Global Perspective.
• Pete Vale, Carbon Architect, Asset Intelligence & Innovation, Severn Trent Water, UK. Moving to a circular and low carbon future in a large water utility.
• Tom Taylor, Technical Specialist, Yorkshire Water, UK. Sewage Sludge Gasification; the Yorkshire Water ATC Story.
• David Inman, Project manager, Research and Innovation, Anglian Water, UK. ALL Streams HTO: demonstrating resource recovery pathways from thermal treatment of biosolids.
• Merle de Kreuk, Professor Environmental Technology and Head of the Department Water Management at Delft University of Technology, The Netherlands. Impacts of Thermal Hydrolysis Processes: Nutrient Release and Melanoidins.
• Steve Bungay, Senior Partner, AD Ingenuity LLP, UK. Methane Emissions from Anaerobic Digestion.
• Louise Parlons Bentata, co-founder of Bluemethane and CEO, Bluemethane, UK. Recovering Residual Methane to Reduce GHG Emissions: A Case Study.
• Paul Lavender, Water Utilities Director (UK), RHDHV, The Netherlands.Ephyra® Plug Flow Digestion – Optimising Existing AD Assets for Net Zero.
• Yadira Bajón Fernandez, Senior Lecturer in Bioresources Science and Engineering at Cranfield University and Policy Fellow at DESNZ, UKBiorefineries – The Art of The Possible..
• Early Career Researchers:
  • Nasreen Nasar, PhD Researcher, Cranfield University, UK. On: Enhancing advanced anaerobic digestion with enzymes and micronutrients
  • Boyang Wang, MSc by Research student, Cranfield University, UK. On: Control of Nitrous Oxide Emissions in Wastewater Treatment
  • Nnenna Esther Chukwuekezie, PhD student, Cranfield University, UK. On: Mitigating Ammonia Inhibition During Anaerobic Digestion of Different Feedstocks: Efficacy of Additives.

Our conference also featured our now famous session dedicated to early career researchers, consisting of 5 minute flash presentations, with a best presentation prize sponsored by the IWA UK Committee awarded to Nnenna Esther Chukwuekezie, PhD student, Cranfield University for her presentation about “Mitigating Ammonia Inhibition During Anaerobic Digestion of Different Feedstocks: Efficacy of Additives”.

See you in 2025 for our 13th edition!