Networks November: Could the future of water be grown not built?

Event Highlights

Future Water’s event brought together leading voices in nature-based solutions (NBS), SuDS innovation, urban resilience, and global water reform to explore one central question: Could the future of water be grown, not built?

The day opened with Gabriela Dotro from the Constructed Wetland Association, who challenged the sector to rethink traditional grey-asset approaches. Gabriela emphasised the importance of designing for multiple benefits, not just biodiversity gains but also community value, and encouraged attendees to “be curious” when exploring new drivers for NBS, from evolving regulation to public pressure around CSOs.

Rethinking SuDS in Practice

Next, Kevin Barton FLI …

Proposed new laws will strengthen cyber defences for essential public services like healthcare, drinking water providers, transport and energy

  • UK to be better protected than ever to face down cyber criminals and state-backed actors – delivering strong foundations for the government’s Plan for Change.
  • Bolstered protections for the UK economy – with new research showing the annual cost of cyber attacks is almost £15 billion per year.

Hospitals, energy and water supplies and transport networks will be better protected from the threat of cyber-attacks under new laws being introduced in Parliament today (12th November).

Supporting the Plan for Change, the Cyber Security and Resilience Bill strengthens national security and protects growth by boosting cyber protections for the services …

Xylem receives three awards for advanced river monitoring


NOTTINGHAM, UK, 18 Nov 2025 – Xylem UK has been recognised with three major industry awards for its advanced river monitoring technologies that support UK utilities in meeting requirements under the Environment Act 2021 The awards also reflect the growing importance of digital solutions in driving compliance, resilience, and improved water quality across the sector.

At the Instrumentation & Electronics (I&E) Awards in London on 23 October 2025, the global water technology leader received the Digital Transformation Award for monitoring sonde technology and digital tools that support continuous water quality monitoring under Section 82 of the Act. Section 82 requires …

VIP Polymers Wins UKSTT 2025 Award for Millennium Main Rehabilitation

VIP-Polymers Ltd, in partnership with Mgroup, Thames Water, DWG Infraco Ltd and AECOM, is proud to have won the UKSTT “Renovation – Large Project (>£350K)” Award 2025 for the Millennium Main rehabilitation project.

The award, presented at the UKSTT Awards Dinner on 2nd October, recognises the team’s innovative and collaborative approach to restoring one of London’s key water mains using trenchless technology.

A Vital Water Main Brought Back to Life

The Millennium Main, which runs from Nunhead Reservoir to Deptford, supplies water to the growing Greenwich Peninsula. After years of deterioration, Thames Water commissioned a major …

Future Water Association – Impact Report 2024

Our Impact Report 2024 highlights a year of progress, featuring insights from our Chairman, Mark Smith, and CEO, Paul Horton, and showcases how our members, partners, and team are shaping the future of the sector.

What you’ll find inside:

  • Forewords from leadership – reflections on the challenges and opportunities facing the water sector.

  • Our year in numbers – key metrics including membership growth, event engagement, and digital reach.

  • Thematic focus – how ‘Having the Honest Conversation’ guided sector-wide discussions and initiatives.

  • Member and working group highlights – insights into innovation competitions, regulatory guidance, and professional development programs.

  • Events and sector

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A Year in Water Review: Networks November Kick-Off

We kicked off Networks November with A Year in Water Review at SEC Newgate UK, bringing together members, partners, and water sector professionals to share insights, discuss challenges, and explore the future of our sector.

Here’s how the day unfolded:

Opening Remarks

Imogen Fawcett set the scene, highlighting the pivotal moment the sector is in and the importance of collaboration, innovation, and inclusion.

Inclusion & Representation

Philip Barnaby (SGB Civils) reflected on Black History Month discussions and prompted conversations around:

  • Representation of all communities in the water supply chain

  • Encouraging diverse talent to join a sector that reflects

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CEO Blog- Reflecting on Black History Month: Progress, Positivity, and Purpose in the Water Sector

October’s Black History Month (BHM) events across the water sector have provided a powerful platform for reflection, learning, and action. As the Future Water Association facilitated discussions that brought together voices from across the industry, conversations illuminated both the challenges and opportunities ahead in building a truly inclusive sector.

Building Community and Culture

The month began with a clear commitment: to foster diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) across the water sector. As Hannah Spencer, Operations Manager at Future Water Association, emphasised, “Black History Month is such an important opportunity to reflect on what’s happening in the sector, learn, and support …

Cavendish: Who’s Who Insight Report

As the Government transitions from foundations to delivery, understanding the evolving architecture behind the scenes is essential.

Cavendish’s 2025 “Who’s Who” report provides a definitive, meticulously researched guide to the advisers and teams shaping policy and influence at the heart of Whitehall. With a huge reshuffle, lots of the faces in Westminster have changed or moved.

This brand-new edition for 2025 offers:

  • A comprehensive overview of the Prime Minister’s senior team and the advisers driving the government’s agenda inside No.10, the Treasury and all other key government departments.
  • Insight into the reorganisation of key personnel and the emergence of new
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Smarter Technologies: Transforming Water Metering, Monitoring and Management

As the drive for more efficient, compliant, and sustainable water systems grows, Smarter Technologies Group is leading the way with end-to-end IoT solutions built for the most challenging environments. Our technologies give utilities, facilities managers, and estate teams the real-time visibility and control needed to manage water remotely, safely and efficiently.

At the core of this capability is Orion, The Real-Time Data Network™ – our proprietary, low-frequency, low-power network designed for hard-to-reach assets. Orion provides secure, resilient, wireless connectivity with deep in-building and underground penetration, ensuring continuous data flow from even the most challenging locations. Live data is captured and …

Smart leak detection builds drought resilience worldwide 

Tackling leakage is one of the fastest and most cost-effective ways for utilities to bolster water security, writes Ben Crabtree, product line director, Ovarro, revealing how the potential of smart technologies is being demonstrated around the world.

Droughts are becoming longer, harsher and more frequent – with impacts that are accelerating. According to the Organisation for Economic Co-operation & Development’s Global Drought Outlook (June 2025), 40% of the world’s land area is now experiencing greater drought stress than in the past, with economic losses projected to rise by 35% over the next decade.

Reducing leakage offers a quick and …