Scientists and researchers from all over the world came to DMU to discuss the biggest challenges facing the water industry today.
Growth in global population and housing, rising energy consumption and climate change means the planet is facing a wide range of complex challenges to ensure people have safe drinking water and sewerage services.
Innovative technical solutions to these challenges were showcased at the Computer Control for Water Industry conference, organised by De Montfort University Leicester (DMU) in collaboration with the University of Exeter and the University of Sheffield.
Professor Bogomil Ulanicki is head of DMU’s Water Software Systems research group, which pioneered computer modelling of water distribution systems in Britain.
He said the event aimed to build a bridge between theoretical and applied research and share best practices across the water industry worldwide.
Prof Ulanicki said: “The main focus of the conference was on water supply and urban drainage, a very exciting and important topic.
“The major pressure on water resources comes from growing population in big cities where utility services are provided by complex centralised infrastructure and from agriculture, where intensive methods of food production have become widespread and consume a significant proportion of water.”
The conference showcased the latest work on “closed loop” systems, where a significant proportion of water is recycled - increasing water sustainability. There were also sessions addressing the security of such systems. Papers presented at the event can be seen here.
Best paper presented at the conference went to Sam Fox, Richard Collins and Joby Boxall. Best student paper went to Robert Wright, Evo Abraham, Panos Parpas and Ivan Stoianov, of Imperial College London. Robert, who has just launched a spin out company, Inflowmatix, said: “It’s good to meet everyone in the industry and hear their work. It’s been interesting and useful.”
Runner-up for best student paper was James Bailey, Slobodan Djordjevic, Edward Keedwell, Zoran Kapelan, C Burton and F Harris. James, from Exeter University, is a KTP associate working with Welsh Water on a project to better predict blockages such as fatbergs in the sewage system.
He said: “It’s the first conference I have been to and it has been really good, really interesting. It gives you the wider picture of the industry.”
Posted on Monday 14 September 2015