Programme Schedule

An Engaging and Enriching Two-Day Conference Programme

Innovating for Resilient & Future-Proof Water Utilities
Technology Opportunities, Digital Transformation, and the Regulatory Horizon

8:00 - 9:00 AM
9:00 - 9:10 AM
Speaker/Conference Chair: IWA Representative
  • Welcome and overview of the conference objectives.
  • Introduction to key trends shaping the future of water utilities.
  • Key trends in future-proofing utilities
9.10 - 9.40 AM
Speaker: Patrick Anthony Child, Deputy Director-General, DG ENV, European Commission
  • Regulatory landscape and policy updates
  • Investment trends in water infrastructure
  • The role of utilities in environmental stewardship and climate resilience
9.40 - 10.00 AM

  • Emerging challenges for utilities
  • The impact of climate change, digitalisation, and regulatory shifts
10.00 - 10.45 AM
Panel:
Marcus Rink, Chief Inspector, Drinking Water Inspectorate (Defra, UK)
Prof. Andrea Guerrini, Commissioner, ARERA & Vice-President, WAREG (Italy)
OFWAT Representative

  • Adapting to evolving regulatory landscapes and policy updates
  • Implementing best practices for risk mitigation and operational efficiency
  • Addressing emerging challenges such as climate change, digitalisation, and new contaminants
  • Aligning innovation opportunities and compliance needs
  • Strategies for future-proofing water utilities in a changing environment
10.45 - 11.15 AM
11.15AM - 12.00 PM
Panel:
Janelcy Alferes, R&D Project Leader Monitoring technology & Digital water WaterKlimaatHub – VITO, Belgium, Chair, Specialist Group on Instrumentation, Control, and Automation (ICA), International Water Association (IWA)
Katy Bevan, Operations Manager, United Utilities, UK
Robert Bornhofen, Director of Innovation, DC Water, USA


  • Adapting to evolving regulatory landscapes and policy updates
  • Implementing best practices for risk mitigation and operational efficiency /li>
  • Addressing emerging challenges such as climate change, digitalisation, and new contaminants
  • Aligning innovation opportunities and compliance needs
  • Strategies for future-proofing water utilities in a changing environment
12:00 - 12:45 PM

A moderated discussion with two industry leaders on the digital evolution of utilities

Panel:
Hiroshi Yamamura, Professor, Chuo University Faculty of Science and Engineering
Department of Integrated Science and Engineering for Sustainable Society , Japan

  • Digital evolution of utilities
  • Lessons from industry leaders
2:00 - 2:45 PM
Moderator: Prof. Sam Sherchan, Morgan State University, USA
Panel:

  • Advances in treatment technologies
  • Circular economy approaches for water reuse
  • Optimising operational efficiency while meeting compliance standards
2:45 - 3:45 PM

This session bridges two critical areas in modern water management—addressing emerging contaminants and leveraging AI/IoT for climate resilience. By integrating detection, treatment, and smart monitoring, we explore holistic solutions for sustainable water utilities.



  • Emerging Contaminants & Detection Technologies
  • Smart Water Networks & AI Optimisation
  • Advanced Treatment & Carbon Footprint Reduction
  • Cutting-edge solutions for eliminating contaminants

Interactive Case Studies: Real-world applications of AI in contamination detection and treatment

Q&A & Future Outlook: Cross-collaboration for smarter, cleaner water systems

3:45 - 4:15 PM
Panel:
Jo Harrison, Director of Environment, Planning and Innovation, United Utilities, UK

  • Integrating innovation into long-term strategies
  • Future trends in water management
4:15 - 4:45 PM


A short session leading to Day 2 by discussing how technological innovations presented on Day 1 will contribute to addressing climate adaptation challenges.

4:45 - 6:00 PM

Building Resilient Water Systems & Advancing Sustainable Solutions

8:30 - 9:00 AM
9:00 - 9:05 AM
9:05 - 9:30 AM


  • Transitioning from technological advancements to practical climate resilience and achieving net zero.
  • Key strategies for infrastructure resilience in the face of climate change.
9:30 - 10:15 AM
Panel:
Alex Adam, Deputy Director, Strategy & Stewardship, The Rivers Trust, UK
Ruben Fernandes, Executive Board Member, Águas e Energía do Porto, Portugal


  • Identifying and assessing climate risks to water utilities (flooding, droughts, extreme weather events).
  • Immediate and long-term impacts on water supply, quality, and infrastructure.
  • Lessons from real-world examples of utilities responding to climate threats.
10:15 - 10:40 AM
Speaker: Jo Harrison, Director of Environment, Planning and Innovation, United Utilities, UK

  • Implementing nature-based solutions for climate resilience in urban water systems
  • Case studies of successful adaptation projects
  • Overcoming challenges in integrating NbS into existing infrastructure
10:40 - 11:10 AM
11:10 - 11:30 AM
11:30 AM - 12:10 PM
Panelists:
Gonçalo Nuno Mendes, Head of Asset Management, Águas do Tejo Atlântico, Portugal

12:15 - 01:15 PM
01:15 - 2:05 PM
Speaker:Geoff Darch. Head of Supply Demand Strategy, Anglian Water, UK


  • Water reuse hierarchy
  • Benefiting multiple users
2:05 - 2:30 PM
A collaborative, fast-paced session where attendees propose and refine practical climate adaptation and resilience strategies for water utilities.

2:30 - 3:15 PM
Panel:
Peter Vale, Carbon & Circular Economy Architect, Severn Trent, UK
Koldo Urkullu, COO, Consorcio de Aguas Bilbao Bizkaia, Spain

  • Carbon reduction strategies
  • Industry commitments and targets
  • Circular economy principles in water reuse
3:15 - 3:40 PM
Speaker: Hamish Todd, R&I Net Zero Senior Programme Manager, Scottish Water UK

3:40 - 4:25 PM
Panel: Matt Hateley, Director, OFWAT
Geoff Darch, Head of Supply Demand Strategy, Anglian Water, UK
Hans-Ulrich Buchholz, Environmental Compliance Manager, L'Oréal, France


  • Climate-Resilient Infrastructure: Implementing flexible and robust solutions for future scenarios.
  • Integrated Approaches: Combining adaptation and mitigation through ecosystem-based strategies.
  • Innovative Technologies: Leveraging smart systems and sustainable practices for efficiency.
  • Policy Integration: Strengthening governance and integrate water strategies into national plans.
4:25 - 05:00 PM