Membrion secures $20 million to advance industrial water circularity
H2O Team

Jacobs launches cloud-based flood modelling platform to enhance infrastructure resilience
H2O Team

Xylem Vue has been recognised with the Citation of Excellence in Advertising in the Best Design category by the Water Environment Federation (WEF) during this year’s WEFTEC event in Chicago.

The award acknowledges outstanding aesthetic and communicative quality in advertising within the water sector, as published in WEF’s magazine. The WEF jury commended the 2025 Xylem Vue campaign for its clarity, visual impact and ability to communicate complex digital transformation themes in a relatable way.

According to Xylem Vue, the recognition reinforces its approach to water innovation. The company said its strategy “is not only based on technology, but also on how that technology is more effectively communicated to the market. This mirrors exactly what we do to simplify water management.”

Celebrating innovation at WEFTEC 2025

WEFTEC 2025, organised by the Water Environment Federation, remains one of the world’s most significant water industry events. The 98th edition, held from 27 September to 1 October, brought together more than 1,000 exhibitors and nearly 20,000 visitors from over 100 countries. It serves as a key international platform for collaboration, learning and innovation in water management.

At this year’s event, Xylem’s booth attracted hundreds of visitors and featured over 25 presentations covering artificial intelligence, sustainability, cybersecurity, Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS) management, and breaking down data silos. Highlights included a session on smart water management and reuse at Manchester City FC, and a presentation on water security collaboration developed with Amazon.

Xylem Vue wins award at WEFTEC 2025

Driving digital transformation in water

The award further strengthens the international profile of Xylem and its Xylem Vue platform, positioning the company as a global innovator in digital water solutions. The recognition underscores the growing importance of effective communication and design in advancing sustainable water management.

Xylem Vue is a secure, integrated and agnostic software and analytics platform capable of capturing data from any source, including legacy systems. Developed in Valencia, Spain, through collaboration between Xylem and Idrica, it enables utilities to maximise the value of their existing infrastructure, enhance visibility across their networks, and advance their digital transformation journey.

Quick Reference Links

• Xylem
• Xylem Vue Platform
• Idrica
• Water Environment Federation (WEF)
• WEFTEC

Xylem Vue recognised for design excellence at WEFTEC 2025
H2O Team

Strategic Thinking Needed on Drainage Projects as UK Water Crisis Intensifies
H2O Team

South West Water has announced the launch of the PEDAL project, an innovative initiative designed to predict and manage harmful algal blooms (HABs) before they occur. The £2 million research partnership brings together the University of Exeter, Plymouth Marine Laboratory, South West Lakes Trust and other industry collaborators to tackle one of the UK’s growing environmental challenges.

Harmful algal blooms occur naturally when algae multiply rapidly in reservoirs, lakes, and rivers, affecting water quality and ecosystems. They make water treatment more difficult, harm fish and wildlife, and restrict recreational use. With rising pollution levels and climate change increasing their frequency, early detection and management have become critical for the water sector.

Over the next three years, the PEDAL project will develop the UK’s first advanced digital twin system for HABs. This will combine satellite data, drone imagery, in-situ sensors, laboratory testing, and local community input through citizen science to build an early warning and forecasting platform. By using artificial intelligence and advanced modelling, the system will enable water companies to predict and mitigate blooms before they develop.

The project builds upon South West Water’s partnership with the University of Exeter through the Centre for Resilience in Environment, Water and Waste (CREWW), and is supported by the Ofwat Innovation Fund. Together, the partners aim to deliver new digital tools that reduce operational costs, enhance water quality, and strengthen ecosystem protection across the UK.

Andrew Pennington, Innovation Programme and Partnerships Manager at South West Water, said:

We’re incredibly excited to get the PEDAL project up and running. This marks the beginning of an ambitious three-year journey to bring together science, technology, and community knowledge to tackle harmful algal blooms. The enthusiasm and collaboration we’ve already seen from our partners and researchers is inspiring, and we can’t wait to turn this vision into a real-world solution.

Dr Diego Panici, Principal Investigator for PEDAL at the University of Exeter, added:

By combining satellites, drones, in-water sensors, numerical models, and artificial intelligence, we will be able to predict when and where blooms are likely to occur. This means moving from reacting after the fact to anticipating problems before they happen, protecting water supplies, ecosystems, and communities.

The PEDAL project represents a major step forward in the use of data-driven science and cross-sector innovation to enhance the resilience of the UK’s water systems and the health of its natural environments.

Quick Reference Links

• South West Water
• University of Exeter
• Plymouth Marine Laboratory
• South West Lakes Trust
• Ofwat Innovation Fund

South West Water launches AI-driven project to predict and manage harmful algal blooms
H2O Team

Victaulic’s Innovative Piping Systems Support Sustainable Water Management Across the UK and Europe
H2O Team

Karla Butler Appointed Vice President and General Manager of DuPont Water Solutions
H2O Team

GF has completed the modernisation of its Seewis site, enhancing production of plastic valves and actuators used in the reliable transport of water across industrial and infrastructure applications. The facility now operates on 100% renewable electricity, including on-site solar generation, and has been made CO₂-neutral.The site, which has specialised in high-tech plastic valves for more than 50 years, now features a fully automated storage system with more than 60,000 slots and a new assembly line for GF’s 542 and 546 Pro ball valves. These investments aim to increase product quality, efficiency, and availability.The new high-bay storage system combines an automated small-parts warehouse with an automated pallet warehouse, enabling faster order processing and improved product availability. An advanced warehouse management system optimises logistics for sectors that depend on timely delivery of water management components.

Seewis has shaped the plastic valve industry with groundbreaking innovations. Our goal was therefore to significantly increase efficiency in all areas – from production to logistics to energy use. Higher availability, shorter delivery times, and greater sustainability are key factors that provide real added value to our customers.

– Oliver Hilbrand, Plant Manager Seewis at GF

Cutting the ribbon after modernizing the plant – f.l.t.r. Andreas Müller (CEO GF) ; Daniel Capaul, Department of Economy Grisons ; Oliver Hilbrand, Plant Manager GF Seewis; Kurt Kuster, President Seew

GF has also introduced measures to lower energy demand, including energy-efficient injection moulding machines, upgraded lighting, heat recovery, and improved insulation. Together with the switch to renewable electricity, these steps support more sustainable water infrastructure manufacturing.

Quick Reference Links

• • GF

Efficiency and Precision: GF Modernises Seewis Site to Strengthen Water Infrastructure Solutions
H2O Team

Netmore Group, a leading operator of Massive IoT networks, has announced the acquisition of Arson Metering, a Spanish company specialising in remote meter reading and smart water and gas management solutions. The move enhances Netmore’s ability to deliver end-to-end services for utilities and strengthens its presence in Europe.

Arson Metering has established itself across more than 200 municipalities in Spain, Italy, France, and Greece, managing over 500,000 installed water and gas meters with a pipeline of approximately 350,000 additional units. Its expertise in Advanced Metering Infrastructure (AMI) and its Meter Operations Centre (MOC) supports utilities in meeting regulatory and environmental standards through accurate monitoring and reliable service delivery.

Ove Anebygd, CEO of Netmore Group, commented:

Acquiring Arson Metering is another transformative step for Netmore as we expand our ability to provide end-to-end solutions for utility automation and modernisation across the globe. Arson Metering’s innovative utility solutions and proven track record align with our mission to provide reliable, high-quality services with world-leading support. Together, we’ll help municipalities and utilities address pressing challenges like water scarcity, leakage, and resource constraints.

Amador Martínez, CEO of Arson Metering, added:

Joining forces with Netmore marks an exciting new chapter for our company. Our shared approach to driving smarter, more efficient utility operations creates powerful synergies for utilities and smart cities. Customers will benefit from enhanced connectivity and improved management of water and gas networks, with access to Netmore’s extensive infrastructure and expertise.

Innovative Solutions for Smarter Utilities

• Metering Control Centre: A specialist monitoring hub for anomaly detection and diagnostics to support utilities and installation partners.
• AquaCity Platform: A universal remote meter reading solution that integrates multiple smart meter brands, enabling real-time monitoring and data analysis for water networks.
• GasCity Platform: A smart gas management system offering automated valve control, safety features, anomaly detection, and optimised billing.

With its extensive LoRaWAN and hybrid LPWAN communication services, Netmore is positioned to accelerate IoT adoption and streamline network delivery, supporting sustainable and efficient utility operations.

The announcement coincides with Netmore’s participation as a gold sponsor at the Spain Smart Water Summit 2025 in Madrid.

Quick Reference Links

• • Netmore Group
  • Arson Metering

Netmore Strengthens Utility Solutions with Acquisition of Arson Metering
H2O Team

XPRIZE has announced 143 Qualified Teams advancing in the US$119 million XPRIZE Water Scarcity competition, the largest incentive challenge in its history. Sponsored by the Mohamed bin Zayed Water Initiative, the multi-year global programme aims to unlock reliable, sustainable, and affordable seawater desalination solutions to increase worldwide access to clean water. The announcement was made during Climate Week in New York City.

Addressing a Growing Global Challenge

Water scarcity is one of the defining challenges of the 21st century. Today, around 80% of the world’s population already faces serious threats to water supply, and by 2030 demand is projected to outpace supply by 40%. While seas and oceans hold more than 96% of Earth’s water, desalination technologies remain energy-intensive and costly, restricting their use to a limited number of wealthier nations.

XPRIZE Water Scarcity seeks to drive innovation that will make desalination a viable, accessible, and environmentally responsible solution for all.

“Water is humanity’s most fundamental need, and yet billions face the growing threat of water scarcity as climate change reshapes our world,” said Anousheh Ansari, chief executive officer of XPRIZE. “Seawater desalination holds enormous promise, but current practices come with a steep price: high energy use, environmental strain, and limited accessibility. XPRIZE Water Scarcity is incentivising innovators worldwide to design sustainable, scalable, and affordable approaches that deliver clean water without compromising the ecosystems we all depend on.”

Global Teams Tackling Desalination

From 674 pre-registered teams across 86 countries, 143 Qualified Teams were selected after rigorous evaluation. Competitors advance across two tracks:

• Track A – System-Level Innovation (93 teams)
  Teams aim to demonstrate the ability to produce at least 1 m³/day of drinking water by the end of 2025. They have been awarded a share of US$3 million to support field testing.
• Track B – Novel Materials and Methods (50 teams)
  Teams will validate laboratory-scale innovations in desalination membranes and alternative separation technologies, preparing for live demonstrations in early 2026.

Over the coming months, Track A teams will deploy working prototypes capable of producing at least 1,000 litres of drinking water daily over two weeks while meeting local environmental standards. Track B teams will validate new separation methods for cost, efficiency, and sustainability.

“The diversity and creativity of these teams give us hope for the future of water,” said Lauren Greenlee, executive vice president of Food + Water + Waste, XPRIZE. “From academic labs to deep-tech startups, and cross-disciplinary consortiums — many from the world’s most water-stressed regions — these innovators are tackling desalination from every angle.”

Awards and Next Steps

XPRIZE will award:

• US$40 million to the winning Track A team able to produce one million litres of drinking water per day at breakthrough affordability.
• US$8 million to the Track B team that pioneers a durable desalination material or method capable of operating for at least 10 years.

Additional milestone awards totalling US$119 million are available throughout the competition.

XPRIZE Water Scarcity reflects the vision of the Mohamed bin Zayed Water Initiative to support innovation, accelerate testing, and scale transformative solutions to address the global water crisis.

Quick Reference Links

• XPRIZE
• Mohamed bin Zayed Water Initiative

XPRIZE Water Scarcity Awards 143 Qualified Teams in $119M Global Competition
H2O Team