Annual CWA Conference Summary
Constructed Wetland Association
Promoting the use of constructed wetlands for wastewater treatment, flood control, biodiversity enhancement and amenity
Held at the beautiful Knight’s Hill Hotel & Spa in Norfolk, UK, the Constructed Wetlands Association conference brought together experts, innovators, and early-career professionals for two days of knowledge-sharing, networking, and a little sunshine in the middle of a gloomy October! This year's focus was on “Enabling treatment wetland success”.
Here’s a full recap of the highlights, key takeaways, and memorable moments from the conference (https://fb.watch/vWUqRyeoUY/.)
The conference began with a warm welcome from the CWA Chair, Gabriela Dotro , who introduced the conference’s goals, including creating position statements and lobbying materials to promote the use of treatment wetlands. This set a purpose-driven tone, encouraging attendees to think about advocacy and impact throughout the event.
The first keynote address, delivered by Katharina Tondera , explored the topic: “How Guidelines Based on Field-Scale Experience Have Made Combined Sewer Overflow Treatment Wetlands a Success.” Katharina’s talk highlighted the power of practical guidelines derived from real-world projects, illustrating how these guidelines can significantly enhance the effectiveness of combined sewer overflow (CSO) treatment wetlands. Katharina Tondera is a leading researcher in treatment wetlands (TWs) and Nature-based Solutions (NbS) for urban stormwater and wastewater management. Her work spans pioneering studies on micropollutant retention, postdoctoral research in Australia and France, and her current role as a professor at ENTPE in Lyon. She also actively contributes to global guideline development and education through leadership roles in specialist groups, advancing the adoption of TWs and NbS.
Day One’s agenda was packed with insightful presentations, featuring topics such as:
·?????? Stormwater and CSO treatment
·?????? Phosphorus Removal in Constructed Wetlands
·?????? Pharmaceutical Wastewater Treatment
·?????? Addressing Emerging Contaminants
These sessions showcased the versatility of constructed wetlands and the innovative solutions available to tackle some of today’s most pressing water treatment challenges.
The highlight of day 1 was the site visit to the Ingoldisthorpe Treatment Wetland, led by Jonah Tosney and Liam Hall Hall from the Norfolk Rivers Trust. Blessed with clear skies and warm weather, participants enjoyed an in-depth tour of the wetland. Originally designed to manage phosphorus and ammonium issues, this site has become a key research hub, attracting students and researchers from across the UK. The tour offered valuable insights into the wetland’s history, performance, and plans for future upgrades.
After a pleasant lunch, attendees broke into discussion groups to brainstorm strategies for lobbying for treatment wetlands and creating impactful position statements.
The evening concluded with a social dinner at Knight’s Hill Hotel, featuring a lovely meal and a fun dessert game, fostering networking among participants.
The second day opened with a thought-provoking keynote by Jack Potter , titled “Enabling Wetland Success from a Green Financier’s Perspective.” Jack’s talk explored the financial incentives and sustainability benefits of investing in wetland projects. He shared strategies for attracting green funding, emphasizing the critical role of financial backing in scaling up successful wetland initiatives. Jack Potter is an ecological innovator dedicated to large-scale, lasting environmental impact. With a background in public sector policy for biodiversity net gain and nutrient neutrality in the UK, he brings deep expertise in development sector offsetting. As co-founder of Wild Capital, he aims to implement these policies with integrity, focusing on achieving the best environmental outcomes through passion and commitment beyond legislation alone.
Day Two continued with a series of compelling case studies, highlighting the practical applications of constructed wetlands:
·?????? The Somerset Levels and Moors Wetland Project
·?????? Innovative Norfolk Wetland Projects
·?????? Moving Wetlands: A novel approach featuring adaptable wetland infrastructure
·?????? Navigating Barriers: Addressing challenges like nature-based solutions (NbS) and methane emissions
These case studies offered practical insights and lessons learned, providing a roadmap for implementing similar projects in different regions.
A special segment of the day featured poster presentations by early-career professionals, who brought fresh perspectives and innovative ideas to the conference. Their contributions highlighted the growing interest and engagement of young scientists and engineers in the field of constructed wetlands.
The day concluded with a dynamic panel discussion focused on overcoming common challenges in wetland projects. Following this, a “world café” style workshop allowed attendees to split into small groups and brainstorm effective materials to promote treatment wetlands. The workshop generated three key initiatives aimed at promoting constructed wetlands:
o?? A plan to create a detailed manual for stakeholders such as contractors, designers, academics, and regulators.
o?? The manual will cover topics like planning, design, construction, best practices, and risk management.
o?? Multiple formats (one-pagers, short guides, and an in-depth manual) will cater to different audience needs.
o?? Key collaborators might include CIRIA, CIWEM, water companies, and the Rivers Trusts.
o?? Younger Generations: Educational games, role-playing activities, and photography competitions to foster interest and understanding of wetland ecosystems.
o?? Older Generations: Leveraging endorsements from prominent figures, creating documentary-style educational programs, and role-playing scenarios to build awareness and support for wetland projects.
o?? A proposal for a 2-page case study format to document real-world constructed wetland projects.
o?? Each case study will include an executive summary, visuals, lessons learned, cost breakdown, and background context.
o?? An interactive Constructed Wetland Hub will feature an online map of case study locations, allowing users to explore projects and access additional resources.
The event not only provided a platform for exchanging knowledge and innovative ideas but also reinforced the importance of collaboration among researchers, practitioners, and policymakers.
As we move forward, the initiatives and discussions sparked during the conference will undoubtedly shape the future of treatment wetlands, driving more sustainable and effective solutions to water management challenges.
Thank you to all the speakers, participants, and organisers who made this event a success. Let’s continue the conversation and action, and we look forward to welcoming you to the next Constructed Wetlands Association event!
By Ayisha A. Souleymane on behalf of the CWA
Deputy of team leader at MACS Energy & Water
1 个月Dear associates, unfortunately I couldn’t join the conference. I am interesting if somewhere would be published outcomes and presentations? Especially I am interested in - “Comprehensive Manual Development”. Thanks in advance.