The Deputy Master and I were invited to the Chartered Institution of Water and Environmental Managements (CIWEM) Metropolitan Branch seminar kindly hosted by Turner & Townsend at their offices in One New Change. We joined over 50 young CIWEM members to hear about a number of major infrastructure projects across London and to focus particularly on sustainability initiatives; very much in the Water Conservators ‘sweet spot’.
Andy Scott from T&T opened the presentations by linking the City’s environmental aspirations with the 17 United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. This theme was then taken up by presenters from Heathrow Airport and Thames Tideway. Of particular note was the capitals’ requirements for an additional 4,000 mega litres of water by 2050 (we’ve heard figures like this before!).
At Heathrow, Russell Knight was able to demonstrate some really innovative environmental achievements as part of ‘Heathrow 2.0’ which is passionately supported by their Chief Executive. The vast areas of runway and taxi lanes produce significant surface water run-off issues and as part of their control management they boast the world’s only fully computer-controlled wetland treatment system; fascinating. They have also commissioned a very large bio-reactor to the south of the airport to further assist. At the opposite end of the investment spectrum however, they have installed herds of cows and hi-tech bee hives. It seems that the latter get more attention than any of the expensive technology!
Darren White at Thames Tideway talked us through their significant financial achievements by the use of Green Bonds to fund part of the project. During a six-month period over the winter of 17/18 they raised over £775m making this the largest ever ethical investment programme in the UK; and they were oversubscribed. This interest is only achieved by consistently demonstrating their environmental and sustainability credentials in a manner that appeals to investors. It requires a lot of hard work and commitment.
One example was from Mott McDonald who are retained as landscape architects for the surface works and the three acres of new public space that will be created on the Thames itself. Some truly inspiring environmental feature will be installed.
There then followed a Q&A session with some very searching questions raised from the floor. The panel were able to answer these and their undoubted passion and experience was all too evident. It is of great credit to these organisations – and to the wider water, waste and environmental sectors that the Water Conservators represent – that they have such talented people as part of their teams. Our industry matters more now than ever before and with these young people in place one can feel more reassured about the future.
Thank you to the CIWEM for the fascinating evening.
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