Water Treatment | H2O Global News

Xylem Vue recognised for design excellence at WEFTEC 2025

H2O Team — Wed, 08 Oct 2025 07:13:29 +0000

H2O Global News
Xylem Vue recognised for design excellence at WEFTEC 2025

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 Vue recognised for design excellence at WEFTEC 2025
H2O Team

South East Water surpasses target for water efficiency collaboration with farmers and landowners in Kent and Sussex

H2O Team — Wed, 08 Oct 2025 06:52:25 +0000

H2O Global News
South East Water surpasses target for water efficiency collaboration with farmers and landowners in Kent and Sussex

South East Water has exceeded its five-year target for working with other water abstractors to reduce water use in Sussex and Kent, helping to protect vital water sources and support the long-term sustainability of local farming.

Over the past five years, the company has offered abstractors schemes such as water efficiency audits, advice packages, participation in crop trials, and leakage reduction incentives.

The company’s environment team achieved a 100 per cent engagement rate with abstractors within the River Cuckmere pilot catchment in Sussex and a 28 per cent engagement with licence holders in the Little Stour catchment in Kent. Combined, this represents a total engagement of 38 per cent across both trial areas, significantly outperforming its Ofwat target of 20 per cent.

The drinking water company, which supplies 543 million litres of water daily to 2.3 million customers, has been working closely with farmers and landowners who also abstract water from the environment. Through this collaboration, South East Water has used its specialist knowledge to encourage greater water efficiency for both personal and environmental benefit.

This marks the third target the environment team has surpassed in the last five-year business period.

Emma Goddard, Head of Environment at South East Water, said:

I’m incredibly proud of the work our environment team has done over the last business period and continues to do. We are collaborating directly with farmers and landowners to enhance water quality, creating a beneficial outcome for all involved while leaving enough water for the environment to thrive. These measures are crucial for protecting essential water sources and supporting the future of farming in the region.

Quick Reference Links

South East Water surpasses target for water efficiency collaboration with farmers and landowners in Kent and Sussex
H2O Team

RSK Reports Strong Financial Performance and Growth Across Core Sustainability Markets

H2O Team — Tue, 07 Oct 2025 08:02:56 +0000

H2O Global News
RSK Reports Strong Financial Performance and Growth Across Core Sustainability Markets

RSK Group Limited has released its annual report and consolidated financial statements for the period from 1 April 2024 to 6 April 2025, showing another year of sustained financial growth across its global operations.

The company reported revenue of £2.2 billion, an increase of 21% year-on-year, and net fee income of £1.1 billion, up 13%. EBITDA reached £122.4 million, a 3% rise on the previous year, while cash generated from operations totalled £105.8 million – up 12%, representing an 86% free-cash-flow conversion rate. Cash at bank increased by 34% to £176.8 million.

Founder and Chief Executive Officer Alan Ryder said that RSK’s success reflects its positive global impact and commitment to sustainable development.

RSK Group Founder and CEO Alan Ryder

RSK is delivering a profoundly positive impact in the world and, in a time when the need for sustainable change has never been greater, it’s imperative that we continue to develop solutions to transform our world, said Alan.

Despite global uncertainty around the sustainability agenda, particularly in the United States, Ryder noted that market demand across RSK’s operating regions remains strong and continues to grow.

Interim Chief Financial Officer Frank Herlihy added that the company’s financial performance demonstrates resilience and focus:

RSK Interim Chief Financial Officer Frank Herlihy

RSK continues to invest heavily in business growth, both organically and through acquisitions, to deliver long-term value creation. This investment-led approach strengthens our capabilities, expands our geographic footprint and positions RSK as a global leader.

Over the past five years, RSK has increased its annual revenue from £275 million in 2020 to more than £2 billion, achieving a compound annual growth rate of 52%.

Strong Performance Across Core Markets

RSK focuses on four core markets critical to a sustainable future – water, energy, infrastructure, and the built and natural environment. In FY25, the water sector accounted for 43% of total revenue, growing by 25% year-on-year. Energy and environment-related sectors each contributed 21% and grew by 9% and 14% respectively, while infrastructure was the fastest-growing segment with a 36% rise over the previous period.

Growth Driven by Collaboration and Acquisition

Ryder highlighted the company’s “lily pad” model, which brings together RSK’s 200 specialist businesses to encourage collaboration, vertical integration and cross-selling:

Our businesses are recognised leaders in their respective fields. When multiple ‘lily pads’ come together and overlap, they generate added value for our clients and our people, he said.

During the financial year, RSK completed 11 acquisitions across the UK, Australia and Africa, welcoming new companies including eb7, Apollo Strategic Communications, 3BM Group, Kendall Kingscott, Edge Impact, Pegasys, N-Able Group and Elsym Installations.

Quick Reference Links

RSK Reports Strong Financial Performance and Growth Across Core Sustainability Markets
H2O Team

Strategic Thinking Needed on Drainage Projects as UK Water Crisis Intensifies

H2O Team — Tue, 07 Oct 2025 05:54:15 +0000

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

With the UK facing increasing droughts, hosepipe bans and a deepening water crisis, experts at ACO Technologies are calling for a more strategic approach to sustainable drainage systems (SuDS) that balance both green and grey infrastructure solutions.The call follows a summer marked by extreme weather — record-breaking temperatures, Met Office hurricane warnings, and the growing threat of both floods and droughts occurring simultaneously. According to ACO, a leading UK specialist in water technology and drainage, addressing these challenges requires collaboration between local authorities, developers, and drainage experts to create systems that are resilient and environmentally sustainable.ACO urges stakeholders to integrate green Nature-based Solutions (NbSs) — such as swales, rain gardens and planted basins — with grey engineered systems like blue roofs, channels, and attenuation tanks. When effectively combined, these complementary approaches can store, clean and harvest surface water efficiently while supporting biodiversity and reducing flood risks.

However, space constraints remain a major barrier to SuDS implementation. Green infrastructure often demands large areas that might otherwise be developed for residential, commercial or leisure use. ACO highlights that grey systems can help overcome this challenge by supporting green infrastructure in confined urban spaces — for example, using channels in car parks to direct rainwater to ponds or incorporating filtration zones for areas with higher pollution loads.

Mike Simpson Lane, Managing Director of ACO Technologies, commented:

In recent years, the UK has experienced more severe droughts and floods than ever before. The way we look after water will soon have a clear impact on life in the UK as more areas face water stress. Expertise on sustainable drainage is niche but vital, so we’re urging all involved in projects that have a drainage component to seek out those with the knowledge, skills and solutions needed to create a drainage system that is right for both the scheme in question and the environment.

No two projects are identical, so it is crucial that drainage requirements, space limitations, budgets and future changes are carefully considered from the outset. Partnering with experts will lay the foundation for effective and environmentally beneficial drainage and help to mitigate the ongoing water crisis currently afflicting the UK.

Quick Reference Links

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

Africa Water Investment Summit Mobilises USD 10–12 Billion in Preliminary Annual Pipelines; Launches Global Outlook Council

H2O Team — Mon, 06 Oct 2025 10:01:40 +0000

H2O Global News
Africa Water Investment Summit Mobilises USD 10–12 Billion in Preliminary Annual Pipelines; Launches Global Outlook Council

The inaugural Africa Water Investment Summit 2025, convened under the auspices of the African Union Commission (AU) and the Africa Water Investment Programme (AIP), has generated preliminary investment pipelines amounting to USD 10–12 billion annually.

Held from 13 to 15 August in Cape Town, South Africa, the Summit drew more than 1,700 participants, including 20 African water ministers, Heads of State and Government representatives, financiers, multilateral development institutions, civil society, and academic leaders.

These pledges — made by governments, development banks, bilateral partners, and private investors — reflect commitments to the pipeline of bankable water and sanitation projects showcased during the Summit. The total excludes further pledges expected to be added via an online portal established for ongoing contributions.

The Summit outcomes include the adoption of the Cape Town Declaration on Africa Water Investment, which underscores Africa’s urgent need to close a USD 30 billion annual financing gap in water and sanitation.

In a landmark development, the Summit also launched the Global Outlook Council on Water Investments, established as a G20 Presidential Legacy Initiative under South Africa’s G20 Presidency. This Council will serve as a high-level platform to track progress, align financing flows, and advance water investment globally. :

President Cyril Ramaphosa, presiding over the Summit, remarked:

This Summit is a landmark moment not only for Africa, but for the global movement for access to safe water for all. If we rise together, water can become not just a means of survival but a driver of economic transformation, innovation and peace.

Commissioner Moses Vilakati of the AU emphasised the need for systemic change:

The Summit Declaration commits us to scaling up investment, improving governance, and increasing accountability in the water sector.

South Africa’s Minister of Water and Sanitation, Hon. Pemmy Majodina, thanked investors for their pledges and urged faster, more decisive implementation to transform Africa’s water infrastructure.

The Summit also recognised leadership through the Presidential Global Water Changemakers Awards, honouring governments and figures that have delivered exemplary action in water investments.

As the Summit closes, stakeholders emphasise that pledges must now be transformed into tangible projects through improved governance, enhanced capacity, data systems, and regulatory reform. The Summit provides key momentum ahead of the 2026 UN Water Conference, to be hosted by the Governments of Senegal and the United Arab Emirates.

Quick Reference Links

Africa Water Investment Summit Mobilises USD 10–12 Billion in Preliminary Annual Pipelines; Launches Global Outlook Council
H2O Team

Veolia and PFO Africa to Operate One of West Africa’s Largest Drinking Water Treatment Plants in Ivory Coast

H2O Team — Fri, 03 Oct 2025 11:35:19 +0000

H2O Global News
Veolia and PFO Africa to Operate One of West Africa’s Largest Drinking Water Treatment Plants in Ivory Coast

Veolia, a global leader in ecological transformation, and PFO Africa, a major Ivorian construction and engineering company, have signed an agreement to operate two strategic drinking water treatment plants in Ivory Coast. Among them is the La Mé facility, recognised as one of the largest drinking water treatment plants in West Africa.

Strengthening Ivory Coast’s Water Infrastructure

The La Mé plant, located near Abidjan, has a daily production capacity of 240,000 cubic metres of drinking water. This supply will directly benefit millions of people in the Greater Abidjan area, a region experiencing rapid population growth and increasing pressure on existing water resources.

By ensuring reliable water treatment and delivery, the partnership supports the Ivorian government’s strategy to secure sustainable access to clean water, a critical factor for both public health and economic development.

International Expertise Meets Local Knowledge

Veolia brings decades of experience in the design, operation and optimisation of drinking water treatment facilities across the world. PFO Africa contributes extensive local expertise in infrastructure development and delivery. Together, the two companies will manage operations, maintenance and performance monitoring to guarantee high-quality water for communities.

The partnership demonstrates the value of combining international know-how with regional capacity to deliver long-term solutions that address Africa’s infrastructure challenges.

Driving Sustainable Development in West Africa

Access to safe drinking water remains a major challenge in many African countries. Urbanisation, climate change and population growth are increasing pressure on existing systems. The La Mé project therefore represents a milestone for sustainable development, enabling improved resilience to water scarcity and ensuring essential resources for future generations.

Through this initiative, Ivory Coast strengthens its leadership in sustainable infrastructure in West Africa and sets a benchmark for other nations seeking to expand and modernise their water networks.

Commitment to Communities

The collaboration will also focus on training and upskilling local teams to operate the facilities, creating long-term employment opportunities and ensuring knowledge transfer. By developing local capacity, Veolia and PFO Africa are ensuring that the benefits of this project extend well beyond infrastructure, supporting communities and regional economic growth.

Quick Reference Links

Veolia and PFO Africa to Operate One of West Africa’s Largest Drinking Water Treatment Plants in Ivory Coast
H2O Team

Wessex Water completes £1.2m sewer upgrade in Poole ahead of schedule

H2O Team — Fri, 03 Oct 2025 08:19:19 +0000

H2O Global News
Wessex Water completes £1.2m sewer upgrade in Poole ahead of schedule

A £1.2 million project to protect residents in central Poole from sewer flooding has been completed a month earlier than planned. The scheme, carried out by Wessex Water with its sister company YTL Construction, replaced around 500 metres of sewer pipes in the Waterloo area.The new larger-capacity pipes, installed along French Road, Marshall Road, Apsley Crescent and Denison Road, are designed to reduce flooding incidents caused by heavy rainfall overwhelming the previous system. Properties in the area had suffered repeated issues, including restricted toilet use and discharge from manholes onto local roads.

Project manager Paul Delves explained:

As heavy rainfall drains into the sewer network it can overwhelm it, causing flooding from manholes and issues for customers with their home bathrooms and toilets. Our models showed that the capacity of the sewers was inadequate to deal with this and increasing demands on the network, so the project focused on installing larger pipes to hopefully help to alleviate many of these problems.

The project involved staged road closures to allow open-cut methods for the pipe replacement. Collaboration with BCP Council and local residents helped minimise disruption, and the scheme was delivered ahead of schedule.

The works also brought community benefits, with Hillbourne Community Centre receiving car park improvements after hosting a temporary compound during construction.

The Waterloo area has also experienced wider land drainage problems, which remain under the responsibility of BCP Council as Lead Local Flood Authority. Wessex Water continues to support efforts to address these surface water issues.

Looking ahead, Wessex Water is set to increase its investment in environmental improvements, with plans for 2025–2030 outlining a £580 million programme to reduce storm overflow discharges, deliver more nature-based solutions and promote sustainable rainwater management – more than double the 2020–2025 investment.

Quick Reference Links

Wessex Water completes £1.2m sewer upgrade in Poole ahead of schedule
H2O Team

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

H2O Team — Thu, 02 Oct 2025 12:00:51 +0000

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

Global piping solutions provider Victaulic is showcasing how its grooved mechanical pipe joining systems can help address pressing challenges in the UK and European water sector, including leakage, labour shortages, and ageing infrastructure.The water industry faces mounting pressures as the UK enters the AMP8 regulatory period (2025–2030), which places stronger emphasis on achieving net zero targets. To meet these goals, operators must adopt innovative methods to reduce inefficiencies and revitalise critical infrastructure.According to industry reports, more than 1 trillion litres of water were lost through leaky pipe systems in England and Wales in 2022 — the equivalent of 426,875 Olympic-sized swimming pools. Traditional flanging and welded systems have long been associated with time-intensive installation, line-up issues, and stress on joints caused by ground settlement.Victaulic, the originator of grooved mechanical pipe joining technology, offers an alternative. Its solutions are designed to improve constructability, reduce total installed costs, and support long-term system reliability. The company’s systems are up to ten times faster to install than conventional methods, while reducing the need for specialised training and lowering transportation emissions by enabling more prefabricated pipe sections per shipment.

Dale Petroski, Victaulic Infrastructure Sales Manager Europe

Our commitment extends from initial ideation to project completion and beyond,” said Dale Petroski, Infrastructure Sales Manager Europe at Victaulic. “Encompassing every stage of the water project journey, Victaulic offers dependable solutions that uphold sustainability principles, delivering constructability and environmental value.

Beyond efficiency gains, Victaulic’s technology enhances safety by eliminating the need for flame or fume during installation. Its grooved couplings also act as unions at every joint, allowing straightforward access for maintenance, future expansion, or replacement of pipe sections. Components are engineered to accommodate seismic and thermal movement, ground settlement, and vibration — all of which contribute to reduced lifecycle maintenance and lower material waste.By combining proven engineering with sustainable practices, Victaulic supports water companies, contractors, and engineers in achieving cost-effective, resilient, and net zero-aligned water management solutions.Find out more about Victaulic’s water management applications.

Quick Reference Links

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

COWI Wins Construction Management Contract for California’s Syphon Reservoir Expansion

H2O Team — Tue, 30 Sep 2025 08:18:53 +0000

H2O Global News
COWI Wins Construction Management Contract for California’s Syphon Reservoir Expansion

COWI has been appointed by the Irvine Ranch Water District (IRWD) as construction manager for the Syphon Reservoir Improvement Project, the largest project in IRWD’s history and one of Southern California’s most significant water infrastructure upgrades.Working in joint venture with GFT (formerly Gannett Fleming), COWI will provide full construction management services. This includes pre-construction constructability reviews, support for contractor bidding, budget and schedule control, resident engineering, quality assurance, and formal risk management. The joint venture will also collaborate with IRWD’s environmental monitoring and public outreach teams to protect the local environment and community during the works.The project will expand Syphon Reservoir’s storage capacity ten-fold, enabling the storage of up to 5,000 acre-feet of recycled water. By increasing storage for non-potable supplies, the scheme will enhance regional water supply reliability, support climate resilience, and reduce the costs of imported water.

California faces growing pressure on its water resources due to climate change and population growth. The Syphon Reservoir expansion is a step towards safeguarding sustainable supplies and offers a model for other public agencies facing similar challenges.

IRWD pioneered recycled water infrastructure with the introduction of the globally recognised “purple pipe” system. The expansion of Syphon Reservoir builds on this legacy, enabling more recycled water to be stored and reused for irrigation and other non-drinking purposes, thereby reducing demand on potable supplies.

COWI’s involvement underlines its growing role in shaping Southern California’s water infrastructure. Previous projects include Anderson Dam Phase 1, Lafayette and Briones Reservoirs, Chabot Dam, Folsom Dam, San Vicente Dam, Lake Mathews, Nacimiento Lake, Lake Calavera, and Gene Wash and Copper Basin dams.

Quick Reference Links

COWI Wins Construction Management Contract for California’s Syphon Reservoir Expansion
H2O Team

Curio Water Partners with SKion Water to Bring Advanced Ozonisation Technology to the UK

H2O Team — Mon, 29 Sep 2025 07:32:42 +0000

H2O Global News
Curio Water Partners with SKion Water to Bring Advanced Ozonisation Technology to the UK

Curio Water has announced a strategic partnership with SKion Water and German specialist up2e! to introduce its Roturi® ozonation technology to the United Kingdom and Ireland. The collaboration aims to strengthen the UK’s capacity to remove micropollutants from water while improving efficiency and reducing energy demand.The Roturi® system is an innovative inline gas transfer solution designed to dissolve gases such as ozone directly into liquid streams. Unlike traditional gas-mass-transfer technologies, which rely on high-pressure velocity differences or large reaction basins, Roturi® creates a large reaction surface within the pipeline itself. This compact design results in highly efficient gas transfer with significantly lower energy consumption and reduced gas losses.The technology can be retrofitted into existing treatment facilities or integrated into new systems, making it suitable for companies working to meet stricter environmental standards on micropollutant removal. As the sole trading partner for Roturi®-based ozonisation systems in the UK and Ireland, Curio Water will oversee testing, demonstration, and deployment, supported by SKion Water’s international network and up2e!’s technical expertise.

Curio Water will also work with Cranfield University and water sector partners to validate the technology under real operating conditions. up2e! will provide training, equipment, and marketing support to ensure smooth integration into treatment sites.nline ozonation system integrated into a water treatment pipeline.

Howard Marles, Chief Executive of Curio Water, said:

The Roturi® system represents an important advance for the UK’s water industry in tackling micropollutants. Many conventional technologies involve high energy use, large basins, and gas losses. This compact and efficient system provides a scalable and cost-effective ozonisation process that also reduces long-term operational costs.

Wolfgang Neuhaus and Ulla Poeschl, Managing Partners of up2e! GmbH, added:

Roturi® has proven its efficiency and reliability across multiple industries worldwide, improving gas-liquid mass transfer with reduced ozone demand and smaller reactor requirements. We are pleased to collaborate with Curio Water to support UK utilities in applying this technology.

Quick Reference Links

Curio Water Partners with SKion Water to Bring Advanced Ozonisation Technology to the UK
H2O Team