Green is the theme at annual water conference

A three day conference hosted by Teesside University will discuss how the water industry is driving the green agenda.

More than 100 delegates are expected to attend the 14th annual International Water Association’s (IWA) UK Young Water Professionals’ Conference at Teesside University’s Darlington campus.

The three day conference which begins tomorrow (Wednesday, 17 April) is being hosted by Teesside University in partnership with Northumbrian Water.

It will hear from a range of experts from both industry and academia and showcase the latest innovation and research from around the world.

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

Keynote speakers include Trevor Bishop, Head of Water Resources at the Environment Agency, Diane D’Arras, the Senior Vice-President of IWA and Professor Cliff Hardcastle, Deputy Vice Chancellor (Research and Business Engagement) of Teesside University.

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.'

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.

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.

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