Teesside University to host water industry conference

Teesside University is set to host a conference focussing on the impact the water industry can have on the green agenda.

More than 100 delegates will attend the Interantional Water Association’s UK Young Water Proffessional’s Conference at the Darlington campus.

The three day event, hosted by the university in partnership with Northumbrian Water, will discuss how the water industry is driving the green agenda.

Those attending will hear from a range of experts, from industry and academia, as they showcase the latest global innovation and research.

Head of Water Resources at the Environment Agency, Trevor Bishop is one of the conference’s keynote speakers.

He is joined by Diane D’Arras, the Senior Vice-President of IWA and Professor Cliff Hardcastle, deputy vice chancellor (Research and Business Engagement) of Teesside University.

There will also be papers from a wide range of disciplines including technical innovation, regulation, economics, asset management, the supply chain and research and innovation.

Northumbrian Water young professionals, Robert Chin-See and Mark Mande, will give a presentation to the conference highlighting their company’s industry-leading sewage treatment process which is turning human waste into power.

Advance anaerobic digestion plants at Bran Sands, Teesport and Howdon at the mouth of the river Tyne, are now turning the sludge generated from the treatment of domestic sewage and biodegradable industrial waste in the North East into green electricity.

Professor Hardcastle said: “We are delighted to welcome so many high calibre delegates and speakers to our Darlington campus.

“At Teesside University we are proud of the excellent relationship we have developed within industry and an event of this nature will further strengthen those links.

“I am looking forward to hearing about many of the exciting developments within the water industry and how Teesside University and its graduates can help this vitally important sector.”

The conference will also include a gala dinner in support of WaterAid, a careers forum to meet potential employers and industry and cultural visits within the Tees Valley.