Institute of Water (IWater)

"If there was ever a time when the support of a professional community might be welcome in water, that time is now." ?? In a compelling interview with The UK Water Report, Founder and Editor Karma Loveday speaks with CEO Gabrielle Mandell about IWater’s vital role in supporting water professionals as we mark 80 years of people power. A home for all in water?? Gaby shares "It doesn’t really matter whether you’re a chief inspector or a technician, or in HR or finance—you have a home with us." IWater is for everyone in the sector, fostering an inclusive and supportive environment for professional growth. Looking ahead?? With the sector facing a need for 30,000 new professionals over the next five years, IWater is committed to addressing the skills gap and equipping our members with the tools, knowledge, and networks to thrive. Gaby concludes: “We want to profile our people who have been dedicated and really given so much to the organisation. We want to look at the journeys people have had. But we also want to look at current issues and how we continue pointing the way forward for the next 80 years.” ?? Read the full interview below and don’t miss March’s edition of #TheUKWaterReport—a big thank you to Karma for the feature. Stay tuned for more as we celebrate #80YearsofIWater!?

?? Speaker Announcement: 2025 Annual Conference ?? We’re excited to unveil the first wave of speakers for the Institute of Water Annual Conference 2025, taking place 18th – 19th September in Plymouth! This year’s event will bring together top industry voices from across water companies, regulators, supply chain and academia to discuss topics under our theme 'Full Stream Ahead: Accelerating Action for a Sustainable Future'. ??Here are some of the incredible speakers joining us: Nicci Russell (she/her) Hon FCIWEM FIWater, CEO, Waterwise Mike Keil, CEO, CCW Lila Thompson MCIEx (Grad), CEO, British Water Marcus Rink, Chief Inspector, Drinking Water Inspectorate (DWI) Sarah McMath, CEO, MOSL Matt Wheeldon, Director of Infrastructure, Wessex Water Susan Davy, Group CEO, Pennon Group Plc Dave Reynolds, Drinking Water Quality Regulator for Scotland Karma Loveday, Editor & Founder, The UK Water Report Michael King, Head of Regulatory Economics, Heathrow Mark Worsfold, Director of Asset Management, South West Water Matt Greenfield, Director of Strategy & Regulation, Wessex Water Meg Ginsberg, Assistant Project Manager, AtkinsRéalis Darren Rice, Regulation Director, Anglian Water Services Iain McGuffog, Director of Regulatory Finance, South West Water Kit Wilson, Managing Director of Household Customer Services, D?r Cymru Welsh Water Chief Inspector, DWI Northern Ireland This is just the beginning—we’ll be announcing more speakers and sessions in the coming weeks! ?? Early Bird Rate – Book Now! ?? We’re holding our early bird ticket rate for 2025! This exclusive offer is available until May 16th or until tickets sell out—whichever comes first. A huge thank you to our Platinum Sponsor, Adler & Allan for their generous support in making this event possible. ?? ?? Secure Your Spot Now:?https://lnkd.in/eGSJPPS2 #IWaterEvents #IWaterAC25

Excited to be part of the Institute of Water (IWater) Spring Forum 2025, proudly representing Stantec as sponsors at the picturesque Swansea.com Stadium. Anticipating a day filled with insightful speakers and valuable networking opportunities. Can't wait to engage with industry professionals and contribute to the discussions. #IWaterForum #Stantec #AMP8 #WaterIndustry

I am very proud to announce that I have been awarded membership to the Institute of Water (IWater) as an emerging professional having been in the industry less than 5 years. Working for Stonbury has been life changing and opened so many doors. This is an exciting time with a bright future ahead. Thank you Institute of Water (IWater) for having me. The world of water is extremely fascinating with lots to learn. I am looking forward to working hard and supporting future generations with an aim to improve standards and uphold the values of the Institute of Water (IWater). Thank you Stonbury and Institute of Water (IWater) for this opportunity.

?? How can a quantity surveyor add value to water sector projects? ?? Join us for an insightful Midlands Area webinar exploring the critical role of Quantity Surveyors (QS) in the UK water sector! Learn how QS professionals drive project success by balancing financial efficiency, stakeholder expectations, and regulatory requirements. ?? Date: Wednesday 9 April 2025 ? Time: 12:00 – 13:00 (Online) ?? Register now: https://lnkd.in/en64C_Ee Key Takeaways: ? Enhancing commercial value in government-funded projects ? Managing OFWAT requirements alongside private contractor deliverables ? Aligning multiple stakeholder objectives with financial targets ? Driving financial efficiencies without risking future funding ? Optimising project performance while minimising overspend Whether you're in project management, finance, or procurement, this session will provide essential insights into delivering water sector projects on time, within budget, and to the highest standards. #IWaterEvents

Innovating with Nature: Exploring Nature-Based Solutions Tuesday 18th March - 12:00 to 13:00. Join the Institute of Water (IWater) South West Area for an insightful and engaging webinar exploring the power of nature-based solutions - a transformative approach that works with nature to tackle environmental, social, and economic challenges. Discover how innovative strategies are shaping the future of water management, biodiversity conservation, and climate resilience. This event brings together?three leading experts?who will share their experiences, case studies, and best practices for integrating nature-based solutions into real-world applications. First to speak are Izzy Atkins-Mcilwaine (Graduate Project Manager) and Nick Paling (Stakeholder Engagement Manager) from South West Water who will talk about their Green First Framework in AMP 8, and the implementation of Nature Based solutions more generally across the business. Then we'll hear from John Gillett (Managing Director) from Gurney Environmental, who will give a more detailed case study on the?Aero-Fac? aerated facultative lagoon based system and operational experience and performance in the UK. Further details and registration are here: https://lnkd.in/eQT-jd62

??Introducing #80Years80Voices – a journey through time with the people of IWater! ?? As part of our exciting #80YearsofIWater campaign, we're launching a new series, "80 Years, 80 Voices", where we'll share personal insights, memories, and experiences from those who've shaped our organisation. Kicking off the campaign is a blog from Simon Bennett, Market Improvement Lead at MOSL, reflecting on his journey as an IWater volunteer and member. Simon was a volunteer for our South West Area starting in 1987 and served as Chair of the Board from 2008-2010, during a pivotal time of transformation and rebranding for the Institute of Water. As Chair, Simon’s dedication to fostering a collaborative environment helped lay the foundation for some of the collaborative initiatives we continue to enjoy today, including our volunteer-led Area Forum. Here’s a sneak peek of Simon’s reflections: ?? “Back then it was a very middle-aged male dominated, engineering-based association that seemed to still be stuck in the 1950s... In 1988 the Association became the Institute of Water Officers, and the average age of the SW committee dropped by 10 years and we started catering for all sorts of events to reach out to a wider audience.” We’re thrilled to share these stories and celebrate how far we've come – one voice at a time. ?? Check out Simon’s full blog here: https://lnkd.in/erUD45f9 A huge thank you to our 80th Anniversary Headline Sponsor Adler & Allan, for supporting us during this special year. #WaterIndustry #Storytelling

?? Join us for an exclusive Site Visit to Lough Island Reavy Reservoir! ?? ?? Date: 27 March 2025 ?? Location: Kilcoo GAA Clubhouse ? Time: 10:00 AM – 1:00 PM ??Register: https://lnkd.in/ejin7GMp Building on last year’s successful reservoir visits, IWater's Northern Ireland Area invite you to a behind-the-scenes look at the recently completed Lough Island Reavy Reservoir safety refurbishment! What’s in Store? ? Expert Presentation – Gain insights from AECOM (designers) and BSG (contractors) on key safety concerns, innovative solutions, and construction considerations. ? Site Walkover – See the completed works up close, including large-diameter siphons and the reconstructed spillway channel. ? Networking & Learning – Connect with industry professionals and enhance your knowledge of reservoir safety and management. ??♀? PPE Required (please bring your own) ??? Lunch provided Don’t miss this unique opportunity to explore cutting-edge engineering in action! #IWaterEvents #WaterManagement #EngineeringInnovation #SiteVisit

This time last week I was planning on making my way home through a busy London Underground on my travels back from Cambridge, where the Institute of Water (IWater) held this year's annual Strategy Day. Sadly I didn't get to see much of Cambridge, except for a water wheel that was coincidentally where we ate dinner the night before! ?? ?? A big thanks to everyone and Cambridge Water for hosting the day. It was all about where we take the Institute next through its strategy, how they can support us all as area committees and enabling us to better promote just how great a membership with us is for professional development and networking opportunities.???? It really helped build my confidence by meeting people I've spent plenty of time emailing face-to-face, but also some new faces that are in a similar position to me, which leads me onto some great news! ?? I'm now the acting Chair of the Welsh Area Committee, following in the footsteps of Justin Doran who's been a great support in getting me here. ?? I'm really looking forward to my time as Chair and making my contribution to 80 years worth of activity and knowing that I have a great committee behind me has made it an easy decision. ??

Great webinar organised by I Water to celebrate International Women's Day. An honour to take part. #InstituteofWater #InternationalWomensDay #empoweringwomen #strongertogether