Veolia enables Rhodia to achieve 94% water reuse at Brazilian textile production site
H2O Team

Protech Continental Group expands into Northern Europe with new subsidiary in Estonia
H2O Team

Blackline Safety Corp. has announced a new $1.8 million contract with a major North American water and wastewater utility provider based in California.

The order includes more than 560 devices, comprised of G7c wearable gas detectors and Blackline Docks to streamline device calibration and charging. The agreement also includes four years of self-monitoring services, ensuring ongoing visibility and heightened protection for the company’s workers.

“This contract is an important step in our continued expansion across the water and wastewater sector,” said Sean Stinson, President and Chief Growth Officer, Blackline Safety. “Our real-time data and monitoring capabilities and top-to-bottom solution set us apart from the competition. This deal reflects the increasing demand for advanced connected safety solutions across essential infrastructure, so help is available when it’s needed most.”

Water industry workers face multiple hazards on the job such as gas exposures, confined spaces, potential falls, adverse weather, customer confrontations, and working alone. The award-winning G7c—with features such as SOS latch, fall and no motion detection, and real-time connectivity—provides a critical lifeline in case of emergency.

Over the past several years, Blackline Safety has steadily expanded its footprint across the utilities sector, supporting deployments with major providers in the U.S., UK/Europe, and Australia. This consistent progress reflects the increasing reliance of critical infrastructure industries on connected safety solutions to protect their frontline workers.

Blackline Safety Secures $1.8M Contract with Major Californian Water Utility <h2 class='sub-title'>Company expands global utility footprint in largest U.S. water deal to date, adding more than 560 connected safety devices with four years of services</h2>
louise davey

Scottish Water has secured the top position in the 2025 British Water Annual UK Water Company Performance Survey, reflecting strong performance in sustainability, communication, contractual approach, and alignment with policy.

The survey, run by industry trade association British Water, evaluates combined water and wastewater companies across 12 key areas of performance, including professionalism, innovation, and supply chain impact.

Key survey findings

• Scottish Water achieved the highest overall ranking and led on innovation, with an average score of 7.5 compared to the industry average of 6.3.
• United Utilities recorded the largest rise, moving from 10th in 2024 to joint third place with Anglian Water.
• Wessex Water fell four places, moving to eighth position.
• South West Water was ranked last, with low scores in digital working, AMP transition, and innovation.

For the fifth consecutive year, innovation scored lowest across the sector, highlighting the continuing challenge for water companies to adopt new approaches. Southern Water recorded the lowest innovation score, at 5.1 out of 10.

Digital transformation and AMP transition

Digital working was the second lowest-scoring area, with an industry average of 6.4. Despite a slight improvement, the results suggest that companies have yet to fully embrace methodologies such as Building Information Modelling (BIM).

The third lowest area was transition between regulatory Asset Management Plan (AMP) periods, particularly around reducing disruption, handling tender processes, and site access.

Supply chain engagement

Scottish Water also scored highest in supply chain engagement (7.8 against an industry average of 6.8). By contrast, South West Water and Southern Water ranked joint last in this category, with a score of 5.7.

British Water Chief Executive Lila Thompson said:

Lila Thompson, Chief Executive of British Water

“In today’s resource-constrained market, the supply chain plays a vital role in helping utilities meet customers’ expectations. Failure to engage could result in water companies underdelivering the vast programme of works in the AMP8 investment period for England and Wales, and other significant investment programmes across the UK.”

Innovation remains critical

British Water Head of Programmes, Dane Beauchamp, added:

“It is disappointing to see innovation continue to score poorly year-on-year, despite the pressing challenges facing our sector. Innovative ways of working and thinking are crucial for the water sector to address challenges such as population growth, climate change, and affordability, and many of our British Water members are ready to deploy proven, scalable solutions.”

About the survey

First undertaken in 2003, the annual survey captures the views of contractors, consultants, and suppliers on how water companies perform in key areas. The 2025 survey results, along with previous years, can be viewed at British Water.

Quick Reference Links

• British Water
• Scottish Water
• United Utilities
• Anglian Water
• Wessex Water
• South West Water
• Southern Water

Scottish Water tops 2025 British Water company performance survey
H2O Team

Aquacycl, a leader in energy-neutral wastewater treatment, is strengthening collaborations with engineering and EPC firms to deliver cost-effective, sustainable treatment solutions for industrial clients. The approach aims to integrate wastewater planning into early project stages, helping manufacturers achieve operational savings, mitigate risks, and improve long-term business resiliency.

Orianna Bretschger, CEO and founder of Aquacycl, said: “We are excited to work with engineering and EPC firms from the earliest stages of planning and construction. By doing so, we can provide reliable and cost-effective treatment solutions in space-constrained and variable production environments, while simplifying onsite wastewater management.”

Aquacycl’s modular technologies, including its BETT® and SulfideFix systems, are used by multinational companies across food and beverage, pharmaceuticals, chemical, and petrochemical industries. Designed to operate with minimal energy consumption and negligible sludge production, the systems can achieve up to 90–99% pollutant removal and deliver a return on investment in as little as 12 to 24 months. Their modular design allows for deployment in remote or space-limited facilities and can be scaled as needs evolve.

Through an operations-as-a-service model, Aquacycl manages system operations and maintenance, providing clients with performance guarantees to ensure compliance. Treated water can be safely discharged or directed to advanced processes for onsite reuse, supporting corporate water stewardship and conservation goals.

Aquacycl will showcase its solutions at WEFTEC 2025 in Chicago from September 27 to October 1, at booth #6221.

Quick Reference Links

• Aquacycl
• WEFTEC 2025

Aquacycl Expands Partnerships with EPC Firms to Advance Industrial Wastewater Treatment
H2O Team

Chopper Pumps made by Landia are on their way to Queensland, Australia, where an important sewage treatment plant (STP) is undergoing a multi-million-dollar upgrade.

A total of eight Landia MPTK-GI units will play a vital role in the plant’s sludge treatment process, with the facility seeking to improve efficiencies and reduce operating costs as the population on Australia’s sand-rich shoreline grows.

Due for completion in 2028, the modernization of the STP, close to numerous surfing destinations, will ensure serviceability for an additional 25,000 people over the next two decades.

Designed with an external knife system that prevents solids from entering the pump’s casing, the Landia Chopper Pump (the world’s first ever chopper pump, invented by the company in 1950) has a proven worldwide reputation for its reliability and longevity.

This latest contract win follows an order from STORTEC Engineering for Landia to provide its GasMix digester mixing system for 4000m³ digesters in Australia. Landia is also supplying its JetMix system for a hydrolysis tank at the same new food-waste-to-energy facility.

Surf’s Up for Landia Chopper Pumps
H2O Team

A Binnies and AECOM joint venture today announced that it has been appointed by PUB, Singapore’s National Water Agency, to deliver the professional engineering services for the Phase 3 expansion of Changi Water Reclamation Plant (WRP) in the eastern region of Singapore. The plant is one of the largest used water treatment facilities in the world, with the third expansion phase further increasing its treatment capacity by up to 96 million gallons per day. Changi WRP is also a cornerstone of the Deep Tunnel Sewerage System (DTSS) and plays a critical role in PUB’s used water management system.

As part of the contract awarded by PUB, Binnies Singapore, an RSK Group company, and AECOM joint venture will be delivering the preliminary design of the plant’s expansion works, as well as conducting a cost-benefit analysis to determine the most effective design solution. Engineering studies will also be undertaken to take into account the long-term plan for future expansions of Changi WRP, environmental studies as well as detailed design and construction supervision of the plant’s expansion works.

Left to right: Gary Young – RSK, William Yong – Binnies, Beverley Stinson – AECOM, Ian Chung – AECOM

Binnies Singapore Managing Director and Board Member of the joint venture William Yong said: “The project aims to increase the capacity of the used water treatment facility and improve its overall operational efficiency. To achieve this, advanced used water treatment technologies will be introduced, enhancing the site’s efficiency and space utilisation. A central focus of our efforts is the development of a future-ready masterplan that ensures the long-term sustainability and resilience of Changi WRP.”

Chief Executive of AECOM’s Global Water Business Beverley Stinson said: “We’re excited to embark on a new era of partnership with Binnies, applying our global experience in cutting-edge water reuse and reclamation technologies to the delivery of Changi WRP Phase 3 Expansion. Supported by our expertise as the world’s top water design firm, this project will reinforce Singapore’s position as a global leader in advanced used water treatment.”

Chief Executive of AECOM’s Asia region Ian Chung said: “Our teams possess over a decade of experience delivering critical water facilities across Singapore, playing a key role in strengthening Singapore’s water resilience. We look forward to leveraging our extensive systemwide knowledge of water infrastructure gained through our previous work with PUB.”

RSK Board Director Gary Young said: “We are proud to continue being part of Singapore’s Water Story by providing long-term solutions that secure the resilience of this world-class treatment facility and to future-proof the infrastructure, resulting in sustainable, cost-effective and enduring outcomes for Singapore.”

Once commissioned, the Phase 3 expansion of Changi WRP will play a key role ensuring a sustainable water supply for Singapore.

Phase 3 Expansion of Singapore’s Changi Water Reclamation Plant set to commence
louise davey

Storm overflow spills at a site in Devon are seeing a vast reduction this year following work from South West Water to increase storage and keep groundwater out of its local network.

Yeoford Wastewater Treatment Works near Crediton saw 123 storm overflow spills in 2024, as South West Water made improvements to the site’s storage and operational capabilities.

As a result of this work, so far in 2025 there has been an 84% decrease in spills.

To achieve this, a new storm storage tank was installed at the site to hold excess flows into the treatment works when the site is at capacity.

When the flows have reduced and the site can accept more wastewater, the tank will return its contents into the works for full treatment as soon as possible.

Once empty, the tank is automatically cleaned before its next use to ensure its full storage capacity is available and to maintain effective long-term performance.

As well as this work, South West Water carried out work in the local area to reline sewers and make repairs to faulty manholes.

Relining sewers reduces the amount of groundwater that enters the local network during wet weather, which can otherwise overwhelm the treatment works and lead to a storm overflow spill.

An initial inspection of the sewers is carried out by CCTV surveys to identify areas that may be impacted by groundwater.

Affected areas are then thoroughly cleaned so the lining material can be pulled through the inside of the pipe and laid in place.

The lining is then cured within the sewer to provide a watertight protective seal and full structural strength before further CCTV surveys are used to confirm the lining has set as planned. Sewer liners have a design life in excess of 50-years.

Jay Harris, South West Water’s Director of Wastewater Services for the area , said: “As someone who lives in the local area, seeing these improvements to our site and knowing the benefit it can have to our local environment through a reduction in storm overflows is really important to me and my teams.

We’re spending record amounts to reduce our use of storm overflows across the entire region and seeing the results on an individual basis really helps to show the progress we are making.”

This is one in a series of successful changes South West Water is making to reduce storm overflow spills across the region.

This work will see it become the first water company to meet the government’s target of achieving less than 10 spills per overflow, per year, by 2040 – a decade ahead of target.

New storm storage is helping South West Water to reduce overflows in Yeoford
H2O Team

A new cutting basket macerator from Borger is successfully homogenising a challenging effluent in a grease trap at a wastewater treatment plant (WWTP) in the south of England.

The Borger OrbitGrinder, which is designed with pivoted cutting blades that adjust automatically, is operating at an even cutting speed, with a star-shape knife holder & circular cutting basket formation to maximise the shredding of fats, oils and greases (FOG).

After the FOG first passes through the OrbitGrinder, where it is shredded and homogenised, the energy-rich liquid is then transferred to the facility’s AD/biogas plant.

Easily integrated into almost any existing system, the OrbitGrinder is achieving consistently good and even cutting quality. The design of the baffle plate also ensures that the suction force of the pump is evenly distributed.

Despite the confined space at the WWTP, the very flexible installation options offered with this latest Borger product meant that the piping system at the plant did not have to be adjusted.

While macerators with round perforated disks typically see excessive wear of the cutting plates’ outer edge, the OrbitGrinder’s design and durability provides a significantly prolonged service life.

Consistent with all proven Borger equipment, the Maintenance-In-Place design (with a gas strut assisted quick-release cover

OrbitGrinder Is Treatment Plant’s New Star
H2O Team

Veolia, the global leader in water treatment technologies, has been selected to design and deliver Brazil’s most advanced municipal wastewater reuse system for industrial applications. The new Águas de Reúso de Vitória Water Reclamation Station (Vitória WRS) marks a major milestone in the country’s fight against water scarcity and sustainability ambitions.

With a 450 liters per second (l/s) processing capacity — or 38,880 cubic meters per day (m3/d) — the system will recycle 85% of municipal wastewater from Vitória’s Camburi basin. By redirecting reclaimed water to industrial users, the project frees up freshwater resources equivalent to the needs of nearly 200,000 people. This solution enables industries to increase their resilience through alternative water resources while preserving natural water supplies, transforming an underused waste stream into a valuable resource.

As the first project of its kind in Brazil, Vitória WRS addresses the country’s long-standing challenge with water reuse — currently representing less than 1% of total water consumption, according to the Brazilian Water Agency statistics (ANA). By setting a precedent for advanced, decentralized water reuse, it aims to pave the way for widespread adoption of sustainable water recycling solutions across Latin America.

The project stems from Brazil’s first public tender for water reuse. Led by Águas de Reúso de Vitória — a strategic partnership between GS INIMA and the Espírito Santo Sanitation Company (CESAN) — the station will provide a secure and sustainable water supply to major industrial players such as ArcelorMittal and Vale, both essential to the region’s socio-economic development.

Vitória WRS will be the world’s first large-scale facility to convert a municipal wastewater treatment plant into a water reuse production station using membrane bioreactors and reverse osmosis. The facility will integrate Veolia’s high-performance technologies for biological wastewater treatment intensification, including:

• memDENSE™ membrane bioreactor for ultra-compact biological treatment.

• ZeeWeed™ 500-EV ultrafiltration membranes for high-efficiency solids separation.

• PROflex™ high-recovery reverse osmosis for advanced contaminant removal.

These combined technologies target key challenges such as biological phosphorus and nitrogen removal, delivering a cost-effective and reliable supply of high-quality water fit for industrial use while preserving natural freshwater sources.

Estelle Brachlianoff, Chief Executive Officer of Veolia, added: “This project sets a new benchmark for sustainability across Latin America. By leveraging our most advanced proprietary technologies, we’re transforming challenges into opportunities and helping our partners achieve their goals while actively preserving water resources. As part of our GreenUp strategic program, we’re committed to contributing to sustainable water management and are very pleased to bring our expertise to Brazil, expanding our strong presence in the country.”

Paulo Roberto, president of GS INIMA in Brazil, commented: “This pioneering project represents a significant step forward for Brazilian sanitation, combining innovative technologies with environmental stewardship. Incorporating Veolia’s technologies into this Vitória project has resulted in a winning and competitive partnership, ensuring greater technical, economic and environmental feasibility. The project will enhance Brazilian sanitation with quality and operational excellence, expanding sustainable water solutions in the country. As the first water reuse subconcession catering to major industrial clients, it sets the bar and paves the way for a more sustainable future.”

Veolia’s advanced technologies set new standards for large-scale water reuse in Brazil
louise davey