This has led to demands within the UK to rebase the economy around a stronger manufacturing base and to rediscover our traditional expertise in innovation which stretches back over 250 years.  The present coalition government considers that the environment is a key sector for future economic recovery and what is often referred to as the green economy,  one focussed around renewable energy sources,  is targeted for future investment-led growth.  In view of its large annual expenditure both on capital intensive infrastructure replacement and renewal schemes, as well as the operation of existing assets, the UK Water Companies and their associate supply chains, are well placed both to benefit and to lead in the delivery of new initiatives in the environmental sector.  They have their own aspirational goals for promoting the use of renewable energy, driving down GHG emissions and achieving a more sustainable industry, and recognise the need for continued innovation in order to deliver on these targets.  As a result change is rapid both in ideas and practice. 

The European Water and Wastewater Management Conference (EWWMC) provides a forum to channel and highlight the latest ideas and developments in this area and the theme of this year’s event is “Reducing the Environmental Footprint of the Water Industry”.  It will explore how the industry is gearing up to the environmental and economic challenges by increasing the efficiency of existing technology, whilst pushing forward with the development of more novel approaches.  It will debate how to deal with the seemingly contradictory requirements to deliver large reductions in its carbon footprint (enforced by the Carbon Reduction Commitment), whilst gearing up to meet the much tighter standards of the Water Framework Directive yet delivering both of these at a reduced cost to the consumer. The Conference hopes to show that  such challenges pose opportunities and that many in the industry relish the prospects of moving out of recession by delivering a new generation of low-energy options, constructed and operated with a much reduced carbon footprint. 

 The Conference offers highly respected key note speakers who will stimulate debate and discussions.  There are a number of parallel sessions over the two days, with submitted papers covering the full breadth of water industry activities, each of these terminated with a convenor facilitated debate intended to fully engage the delegates.  The event provides an ideal opportunity to be updated on the way ahead for the industry and is also the perfect opportunity for younger members to experience the lively debates and discussion that are such a feature of this industry. 

4th European Water & Wastewater Conference & Exhibition:  ‘Reducing The Environmental
Footprint of The Water Industry’:  27-28th September 2010 The Royal Armouries, Leeds, UK 

Web: www.ewwmconference.com/ Ph: 01924 257 891 or email: This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it