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[...]50 high-quality products and solutions from HUBER, a great many interested visitors and colleagues from all over the world: that was IFAT 2022, the World’s Leading Trade Fair for Environmental Technologies, which took place from May 30 to June 3 at the Munich Trade Fair Center. After IFAT 2020 had been cancelled due to the Corona pandemic, this year’s leading world trade fair proved to be very successful for HUBER. Bavarian Minister of State Glauber impressed by HUBER products Already on Monday, May 30, IFAT started with a highlight: Thorsten Glauber, Bavarian State Minister for the Environment and Consumer Protection, was given an exclusive tour of the 1,100 m² booth by the HUBER Board and was very impressed by the products and solutions. Interesting excursions, numerous delegations visiting the company From Tuesday to Thursday, several exciting excursions took place, where the participants could experience HUBER products and solutions live in action. They were enthusiastic about all destinations: the Bayreuth WWTP, the Vohburg and Nuremberg WWTPs, and the company Emter in Altenstadt and the Penzing WWTP. Several delegations, among others from the European People’s Party (Europäische Volkspartei), Bündnis 90/Die Grünen Bavaria, and the Chinese Association for Resource and Environmental Science in Germany (CVRU e.V.), as well as a large number of interested customers, contacts, and visitors made the trade fair experience at the HUBER booth a vivid event that was entertaining and interesting. IFAT: The World’s Leading Trade Fair for Environmental Technologies IFAT is the world’s leading trade fair for environmental technologies and is held every two years at the Messe München exhibition center. In the fields of water, wastewater, waste and raw materials management, companies exhibit their products, solutions and innovations and enter into dialog with numerous visitors from all over the world. At IFAT 2018, 3,305 exhibitors from 58 countries and regions presented themselves to a total of 142,472 visitors from 162 countries and regions on a total of 260,000 square meters of exhibition space.[...]

[...]Steve Morris, Managing Director of wastewater treatment specialist HUBER Technology UK, takes a look at some of the challenges the water sector faces in achieving Net Zero Carbon 2030 – and how the supply chain can help. With Elaine Coles from Waterbriefing. In 2019 the UK water companies set themselves a tough challenge as part of their Public Interest Commitment when the industry became the first sector in the UK to commit to net zero carbon emissions by 2030. Since that time the water companies have been setting out their individual strategies to achieve their net zero targets – Northumbrian Water have set themselves the accelerated target of reaching net zero by 2027. So what does this mean for the water sector supply chain in practice? Water UK rightly says that “net zero will be a huge team effort” and that the Routemap will also enable those involved in the sector – including the water companies, regulators and the wider supply chain to understand the key opportunities and challenges in preparing the sector to become net zero by 2030. The water companies know that they can’t do this alone – and collaboration with the supply chain has a key role to play. From a supplier point of view, we’re already seeing a real drive and explicit requirements in terms of procurement processes that we need to provide clear evidence to demonstrate what we are doing - both in terms of our own carbon emissions and how our technologies and services can help the utilities achieve their net zero ambitions. The focus is on two key areas in particular: assurance that carbon reduction is a part of our own production processes and operational activities for the goods and services we provide demonstrating that these goods and services can in turn deliver significant reductions in energy use and associated carbon emission reductions – both for the water companies’ operational activities and capital investment schemes. Like a growing number of suppliers, for some time now at HUBER Technology we have been systematically developing our own carbon strategy and taking active steps to ensure we can clearly demonstrate our green credentials to our customers. To take just a few examples: Our parent company HUBER SE, which is headquartered in Germany started buying green electricity in 2014 for its manufacturing processes sourcing 100% renewable energy from small and large hydropower plants in Austria. Significant investment by HUBER SE in state of the art production plant with the aim of reducing waste and improving its own operational efficiency. IE4 energy efficient motors are now fitted as standard on new machines. Using stainless steel, rather than galvanised steel, to manufacture equipment – providing significant benefits to customers in terms of longevity, whole life costs, reduced maintenance requirements and downtime – all of which translate directly into associated carbon reductions. Here in the UK, we continuously monitor our carbon footprint to find ways to reduce its impact on the environment. Our carbon footprint is calculated and verified in accordance with ISO 14064, the International Standard for Greenhouse Gas Emissions, Inventories and Verification. We’re also looking at our fleet and transport requirement and making ever-growing use of electric vehicles. However, the area where we can make a real difference and make a meaningful contribution to helping the water companies achieve significant reductions is first and foremost helping them to minimise operational carbon emissions. Technology is already available to deliver significant reduced carbon wastewater treatment processes HUBER Technology has the potential to make a major contribution to reducing energy use and cutting associated carbon emissions in their operational activities – thereby also delivering significant cost savings in the process. The WATER UK Routemap clearly states that activities the UK water companies will need to undertake include: “identifying feasible options to reduce process emissions, initially through operational adjustments to existing processes and then through gradual deployment of alternative treatment technologies." It also flags up “low regrets actions” that the sector can take to start implementing immediately. These include: Maximising energy efficiency potential in water and wastewater to include accelerating deployment of interventions already adopted by individual water companies but scaling them up at sector level. Increasing monitoring and modelling of process emissions to inform operational adjustments to reduce these where possible, including optimisation of existing process operations to minimise emissions from secondary wastewater treatment processes. the technologies themselves how they are installed and used the aftercare, support and maintenance services which underpin them The Routemap also points out that the sector will need significant support from its supply chain in understanding suitable operational adjustments while maintaining process performance and resilience to meet this challenge. From a supplier point of view, I’m keen to emphasise that existing technologies and services are already available which offer proven solutions which can be immediately implemented and start to deliver demonstrable results within months – both in terms of payback time, reduced energy use and cuts in carbon emissions. There will of course be trials of other solutions and as yet unproven technologies – but the outcomes may take longer to come to fruition before they can be implemented and rolled out at scale. In the meantime however, there are immediate steps water companies can take which will make a real difference. To take one specific example from our own company, our Q-PRESS® sludge dewatering technology is already in use in a number of wastewater treatment and industrial sites in the UK – and is undoubtedly a low regret option. A successful trial of the Q-PRESS® to replace existing energy-intensive centrifuges at South West Water’s Plymouth wastewater treatment works demonstrated significant cost and energy savings - the Q-PRESS® can typically deliver: 40% lower chemical consumption 90% power savings 50% saving on annual operating costs Following the trial, we were selected to supply permanent HUBER Q-PRESS® sludge dewaterers for both the site at Plymouth Central and the water company’s Maer Lane WWTW. The figures, which show Q-PRESS® power consumption of around 11 kw when compared with centrifuge technology of 140kw speak for themselves – an order of magnitude in terms of cost, energy use & carbon reductions. In my view, the fact that South West Water were prepared to move away from conventional thinking and select a different technology represents an important lesson for the net zero journey. At a broader level, the Routemap also flags up the potential of utilising waste heat from the sewerage network to help the heating and cooling demand of residential and commercial buildings. Again, HUBER already has proven technology which is in widespread use at sites in Europe and the US. The HUBER RoWin Heat Exchangers are a ready to go technology for recovering low grade heat which can then be put through a heat pump for either heating or cooling purposes. In the context of climate change, cooling is as big a requirement as heating. However, while the effective use of the technology can be demonstrated, its uptake in the UK is still low. In my view, one reason for the slow adoption of the technology for low grade heat recovery may be due to the specific constraints of dealing with the multiple stakeholders involved in these schemes. Quite apart from the water companies’ own activities, it might be worth considering the potential regulatory and structural barriers which may be presenting obstacles to meeting these challenges. Other services which can play their part in reducing carbon emissions include preventative maintenance and what we call Smart Servicing of existing assets –i.e. the use of data for asset condition monitoring, increased operational efficiency, reduced power consumption etc. We also have the HUBER CarbonWin process, which uses the HUBER Drum Screen Liquid and the HUBER S-DISC sludge thickener, as an alternative to conventional Primary Settlement, to improve process efficiency, energy balance and reduce opex. While these may be indirect methods ,they can still nevertheless contribute to carbon emission reductions, and are easy to implement potential quick wins. Other areas where regulatory hurdles could be removed include co-digestion of sewage with other organic wastes – while these are referred to in the Routemap, to date this has still not been rolled-out. Again, we have existing technology solutions, already operating on commercial waste sites, which stand ready to optimise the process and performance of AD plants, including digestate screening and grit removal . Measuring carbon emissions is a source of ongoing concern for the sector Among a number of key issues related to achieving net zero by 2030, must surely be the question of how the companies will measure their carbon emissions and reductions. According to the Water UK Routemap, there is still uncertainty around the scale of process emissions from the sector and two issues that the sector is looking to resolve. Firstly, an update to the Carbon Accounting Workbook methodology used by all the water companies. The impact of this potential change is estimated to increase baseline process emissions by 31% and the residual level of process emissions in 2029-30 by ~25%. In addition, there is ongoing uncertainty around the true level of emissions arising from wastewater treatment processes in the UK. The concern must be that the water companies will face an ongoing challenge in making this work unless there is some real uniformity of measurement and an agreed consensus in taking this forward. The water companies have faced a similar challenge with the advent of Totex. While in theory measuring Totex should be a straightforward process, in practice that has never really been the case– to date there is still no real consistency in terms of how the water companies measure their Totex costs. In my view, establishing how carbon emissions are measured to ensure a level playing field will be of considerable benefit to both the water companies and the supply chain who stand ready to help with practical measures and solutions which will make a real difference. It is a truism to say that it if you don’t measure it you can’t measure it – but accurately measuring carbon emissions and reductions requires a generally agreed mechanism and approach to establish a real level playing field. Without this there will be a range of varying parameters which will inevitably not produce a clear and accurate assessment of the water sector’s carbon landscape. And this will not just be a challenge for the water companies – it also has implications for how comparisons can be made at a regulatory level to ensure the sector is operating on a level footing. Without this the sector risks generating huge amounts of information and data – but with a question mark hanging over how meaningful will it be. With investment and operational decisions increasingly set to be viewed through the lens of net zero carbon, ensuring accurate data is available which can then be translated into actionable intelligence will be key to achieving Net Zero by 2030. Given that there is no single and rapid silver bullet fix, the ability to assess the carbon impact of a range of measures all contributes to working steadily and consistently towards that goal. While they may of themselves be relatively small wins, taken together the whole is likely to be significantly greater than the sum of its parts. Finally, I’d like to make the point that the water sector cannot simply build its way towards achieving Net Zero –exemplified by a scheme we worked on at Great Dunmow with Anglian Water which focused on an off-site manufactured DfMA solution installed above ground. This meant less concrete was poured, while having the assets above ground rather than in channels made maintenance and servicing a far more straightforward activity compared to conventional civils solutions. For any project, Net Zero is set to be the prism through which the components should be viewed .i.e. the technologies themselves how they are installed and used the aftercare, support and maintenance services which underpin them The water companies should rightly be applauded for setting themselves such an ambitious goal.Hopefully, sector-wide collaboration will see best practice cascading across all points of the wider supply chain and across into other sectors. And meeting the challenge means the water companies can say to their stakeholders, including the communities they serve and their investors, we are making sure our suppliers are fully engaged in achieving Net Zero.[...]

[...]On Thursday, 5 October, the wastewater syndicate SIDEST (Syndicat Intercommunal de Dépollution des eaux résiduaires de l'Est) together with HUBER and ProMinent invited to the final symposium "Removal of Micropollutants and Water Reuse". More than 100 participants from Luxembourg, Rhineland-Palatinate, North Rhine-Westphalia and Baden-Württemberg were presented with the results of the 18-month trial operation at the Grevenmacher wastewater treatment plant. After the very informative and varied lecture blocks in the morning, the participating planners, operators and decision-makers were able to see the demonstration plant for themselves in the afternoon. The plant installed at the Grevenmacher WWTP consists of a HUBER Pile Cloth Media Filter RotaFilt® , ozonation and activated carbon adsorption . Since March 2022, it has been convincing with stable plant operation and very good elimination of micropollutants. The treated wastewater (240 m³/d) is reused as process water at the treatment plant all year round, and during the dry summer months even in viticulture and on urban green spaces. Further information on advanced wastewater treatment can be found here at our website .[...]

[...]Quarzbichl, Germany Quarzbichl, a material extraction and marketing company, provides municipal waste management services for the districts of Bad Tölz and Wolfratshausen. It also processes compost into high-quality soil on site. The surface wastewater produced is collected in an intermediate storage tank and treated for direct discharge into the Loisach River. The HUBER Dissolved Air Flotation Plant HDF process was chosen because the wastewater is almost exclusively contaminated with particles, the process effectively separates suspended solids from clear water without blockages, and the resulting residues are concentrated accordingly. Pilot project as proof of feasibility Every new process involves uncertainties and unknown effects by its very nature. To familiarise the future operator of the plant with the process and test its practical suitability, a pilot plant was installed. The plant was temporarily installed at the customer's site to demonstrate its effectiveness. This pilot project enables a realistic estimate of future operating costs to be made. Specific cost factors, such as chemicals, are determined, enabling an economic assessment of the plant technology. The plant's reliability under changing wastewater compositions is also thoroughly tested. Independent testing laboratories provide reliable data for the subsequent operation of the plant, and a qualified evaluation is carried out afterwards. Transfer of results to permanent installation Valuable insights counteract surprises: Based on these insights and results, the dimensions of the subsequent large-scale plant can be determined. The challenges encountered during the pilot operation are incorporated into the design of the large-scale plant. In this project, an inline screen was installed as a so-called 'police filter’ as the first stage of treatment in the large-scale system to reliably retain coarse materials. The subsequent chemical stage was designed as a tube flocculator based on the findings of the pilot test. It is important to note that drinking water-certified products must be used for chemical conditioning. This ensures that the flotate sludge produced later can be fed into natural composting within the company. Wastewater treatment for the Isar tributary In the flotation cell, solids are transported to the water surface by extremely fine gas bubbles. The remaining water is completely free of particles and can therefore be discharged directly into the receiving watercourse, the Loisach, a tributary of the Isar. Appropriate measurement technology is installed to monitor the water quality in the effluent and ensure that it remains consistently high.[...]

[...]Arosa, Swiss A CO2-neutral hotel with HUBER technology? Yes, Valsana The Valsana Hotel & Apartment Arosa sets new standards for its sustainable energy concept and is heated 100% without fossil fuels. The lifestyle boutique hotel in the popular holiday destination of Arosa in the Swiss Alps has already proven in 2017 that sustainability can be successfully accomplished in harmony with nature and customer needs with an integrated approach in the upscale hotel industry. This pioneering achievement by the Tschuggen Hotel Group as owner of the Valsana was implemented long before the climate debate became omnipresent. The balance after two years of operation is extremely positive and expectations have been clearly exceeded. The entire heating output of the hotel complex with 40 rooms and a total of 20 apartments is obtained both from the hotel's own waste heat from various sources and from geothermal probes. The core element of the energy concept is an 850 m³ ice storage tank (latent storage unit), which in combination with the heat pumps ensures the heat balance of the building complex. If the heat pumps draw large amounts of energy, the water in the storage tank can be cooled down to such an extent that it freezes. If more waste heat is available than energy is extracted from the storage tank, the surplus is fed into the water basin, thus thawing the ice again. The water can then heat up to 15°C. The HUBER Heat Exchanger RoWin plays a key role in heat recovery. It recovers 50% of the waste heat from wastewater, which has a temperature of about 23°C, from the huge amount of water required for the kitchen and especially the wellness area. The wastewater is discharged into the sewerage system with a temperature of approx. 10°C. With over 15%, the contribution of the wastewater heat to the total heat requirement of the hotel complex is very significant and contributes to an important CO 2 reduction. The entire installation for waste heat recovery with the HUBER Heat Exchanger RoWin is located in the technical equipment room and is an encapsulated, odourless installation. The plant is accessible at any time and operation is fully automatic. Before the wastewater is fed to the RoWin heat exchanger, it is pre-screened with a 6 mm perforated screen (modified HUBER Wash Press WAP® 4). In the Valsana project, only the hotel’s own wastewater is used, the public sewerage system is not used for heating purposes. This example clearly shows that even with low wastewater flows of 1 litre per second on average, the HUBER Heat Exchanger RoWin can be applied successfully. For optimum heat yield, batch operation was implemented in the project. The HUBER Heat Exchanger RoWin is suitable for new construction projects and for the rehabilitation of existing heat generation plants. In combination with alternative energy systems, this technology can be used to tap a significant, previously unused energy source.[...]

[...]Barueri, Brazil A comprehensive two-week intensive training course was held at the HUBER Service Academy in preparation for the major Barueri project in Brazil, one of the largest wastewater treatment plant projects in South America. Delivery of the machinery for this project has already begun, comprising a total of 85 units for mechanical wastewater pre-treatment and grit treatment. This includes four different types of screens, for this project and a sister project, namely the HUBER Course Screen TrashMax®, the HUBER Grab Screen TrashLift, the HUBER Multi-Rake Bar Screen RakeMax®, and the HUBER Belt Screen EscaMax®. The portfolio is complemented by HUBER Launder Channel HLC units, the downstream HUBER Screenings Wash Press WAP® L, HUBER Grit Trap GritWolf® and the HUBER Coanda Grit Washer RoSF4. Comprehensive training programme The training course combined detailed theoretical sessions with practical training modules. It covered operational principles, control logic, installation guidelines and systematic troubleshooting procedures. The practical sessions focused on typical inspection, adjustment and maintenance tasks. In addition, two site visits provided the opportunity to accompany HUBER service specialists in maintaining a HUBER Multi-Rake Bar Screen RakeMax® at nearby wastewater treatment plants, to inspect wear parts and to understand the operational processes of a HUBER Grab Screen TrashLift. In addition to the machine-specific content, further training was provided on measurement technology and sensor systems, on control processes for complex interlinked systems, and on the use of surveying and levelling equipment. Another key focus was on the detection and prevention of corrosion. The international training group comprised four participants from Brazil, from both the customer and HUBER do Brasil, as well as service colleagues from Canada, Poland, the Czech Republic and Latvia. In addition to the technical exchange, there was a supporting programme featuring group dinners, a visit to an FC Bayern home match and the 'Rossmarkt' winter folk festival in Berching, offering insights into Bavarian culture. Building expertise as a foundation for the future Six trainers from various HUBER departments were on hand to ensure a high standard of training. A simultaneous interpreter was also available for the Brazilian participants. Having now completed the two-week intensive phase, our Brazilian colleagues are fully prepared for their roles in the major Barueri project. We would like to thank our client for the great trust they have placed in us with this significant large-scale project. Such comprehensive training ensures that subsequent plant operation is as well-prepared as possible and can be carried out to the highest standard in the long term.[...]

[...]Barueri, Brazil A comprehensive two-week intensive training course was held at the HUBER Service Academy in preparation for the major Barueri project in Brazil, one of the largest wastewater treatment plant projects in South America. Delivery of the machinery for this project has already begun, comprising a total of 85 units for mechanical wastewater pre-treatment and grit treatment. This includes four different types of screens, for this project and a sister project, namely the HUBER Course Screen TrashMax®, the HUBER Grab Screen TrashLift, the HUBER Multi-Rake Bar Screen RakeMax®, and the HUBER Belt Screen EscaMax®. The portfolio is complemented by HUBER Launder Channel HLC units, the downstream HUBER Screenings Wash Press WAP® L, HUBER Grit Trap GritWolf® and the HUBER Coanda Grit Washer RoSF4. Comprehensive training programme The training course combined detailed theoretical sessions with practical training modules. It covered operational principles, control logic, installation guidelines and systematic troubleshooting procedures. The practical sessions focused on typical inspection, adjustment and maintenance tasks. In addition, two site visits provided the opportunity to accompany HUBER service specialists in maintaining a HUBER Multi-Rake Bar Screen RakeMax® at nearby wastewater treatment plants, to inspect wear parts and to understand the operational processes of a HUBER Grab Screen TrashLift. In addition to the machine-specific content, further training was provided on measurement technology and sensor systems, on control processes for complex interlinked systems, and on the use of surveying and levelling equipment. Another key focus was on the detection and prevention of corrosion. The international training group comprised four participants from Brazil, from both the customer and HUBER do Brasil, as well as service colleagues from Canada, Poland, the Czech Republic and Latvia. In addition to the technical exchange, there was a supporting programme featuring group dinners, a visit to an FC Bayern home match and the 'Rossmarkt' winter folk festival in Berching, offering insights into Bavarian culture. Building expertise as a foundation for the future Six trainers from various HUBER departments were on hand to ensure a high standard of training. A simultaneous interpreter was also available for the Brazilian participants. Having now completed the two-week intensive phase, our Brazilian colleagues are fully prepared for their roles in the major Barueri project. We would like to thank our client for the great trust they have placed in us with this significant large-scale project. Such comprehensive training ensures that subsequent plant operation is as well-prepared as possible and can be carried out to the highest standard in the long term.[...]

[...]In an interview, Steve Morris, Managing Director of wastewater treatment specialist HUBER Technology UK, takes a look at what Ofwat’s proposals for reducing embedded carbon emissions from infrastructure projects could mean for water companies and the supply chain. Steve Morris: It’s interesting to see that the first discussion paper the water sector regulator Ofwat has published in 2022 is focussed on an issue which looks set to dominate and permeate every aspect of the water companies' operational activities and their decision making processes – net zero carbon. While Ofwat has welcomed the publication of Water UK‘s Net Zero Routemap 2030 , this new paper makes it absolutely clear that it expects the water companies to go much further to cut their carbon emissions. However, the regulator has highlighted the fact that the Routemap does not address emissions from the use of chemicals, embedded emissions, or disposal of sludge to land. And the regulator is looking for the water companies to step up their efforts in an area which undoubtedly has implications for hundreds of companies in the supply chain. In addition to cutting their operational carbon activities, Ofwat now wants the utilities to tackle both operational and embedded emissions in parallel and reduce the embedded carbon emissions from upcoming infrastructure projects i.e. the carbon that is emitted while infrastructure is being built. Introducing the paper, Ofwat says: “The paper is intended to inform water companies' net zero planning and stimulate discussion with us on how we can support the sector in reaching net zero targets.” “It is important that we are clear on these key issues so that companies can plan appropriately for their net zero strategies, particularly as they develop their plans for PR24.” Ofwat wants to see clear evidence of practical actions by the water companies to deliver embedded carbon reductions. So the proposals Ofwat is putting forward are not simply arcane policy aims – the regulator wants to see clear evidence that this is translated into practical actions by the water companies to deliver meaningful results. With the publication of Ofwat’s draft methodology for PR24 on the horizon later this year which includes the introduction of a common operational GHG emissions performance commitment (PC) at PR24, the regulator is now also looking at the practicality of introducing a common PC for embedded GHG emissions. According to Ofwat, in order for the water sector to achieve net zero, it must also deliver reductions in embedded emissions, including: emissions associated with the building and/or installation of a built asset emissions caused by the extraction of materials the manufacture/processing, transportation and assembly of every product and element in the asset Ofwat wants to avoid the risk that a purely operational focus could lead not only to embedded emissions being neglected, but also the risk that actions taken to reduce operational emissions could lead to an increase in embedded emissions. In the regulator’s view, a parallel approach to reducing both operational and embedded emissions will help to safeguard against decisions being taken in isolation avoiding the risk that operational emissions are prioritised ahead of action on embedded emissions – which would risk “the unnecessary early replacement of assets to reduce operational emissions.” How can suppliers help the water companies achieve the outcomes Ofwat will be looking for? So what could this shift in approach mean for the supply chain – and how can suppliers help the water companies achieve the outcomes Ofwat will be looking for? I’m confident that the UK supply chain stands ready to step up to the plate on the issue. Like many companies in the water sector, HUBER has already taken steps to measure and quantify the carbon emissions associated with the goods and services we supply to customers. The ability to do this is already playing a key role in helping the water companies meet Ofwat’s requirements for standardised mandatory reporting of operational emissions for 2021-22 onwards. Going forwards to PR24, it will now also help with meeting Ofwat’s plan to introduce a form of mandatory standardised reporting on their embedded GHG emissions for 2022-23. So what are the implications for hundreds of suppliers? Whatever goes into new infrastructure projects, especially when you consider all the major RAPID infrastructure projects coming down the line – the water companies will have to demonstrate how they are working to deliver real reductions in embedded carbon. So does this mean that going forward, on every project the water companies will scrutinise the supply chain inputs and look at carbon footprint? It’s possible to look at how the introduction of requiring reductions in embedding carbon impacts on the water companies’ investment plans in a number of ways. For instance, Ofwat will presumably not want to see it resulting in the unintended consequence simply deciding to build less, thereby enabling them to report that they are keeping the level of their embedded carbon emissions down. The last decade or so has seen a downward trend of less concrete-intensive infrastructure projects, favouring off- site build, accompanied by a greater focus on maintaining the health of existing assets, rather than simply stripping them out and replacing them. Energy-intensive UK water sector played active part in COP26 conference The energy-intensive UK water sector also played an active part in the COP26 conference in November – and its net zero carbon ambition is now firmly embedded at both company and sector-wide level. In this context it is already keenly aware of the key drivers underpinning which Ofwat flags up in its discussion paper. As a sector, it consumes 3% of the electricity the country produces and is responsible for about 1% of UK GHG emissions, which in turn represents nearly a third of UK industrial and waste process emissions. So Ofwat is undoubtedly pushing at an already wide open door in its effort to help the water companies contribute towards the Government’s longer term goal of net zero for the UK as a whole by 2050. As a supplier, we very much have carbon in mind in this context –we are likewise aware of the requirements now placed on the water companies to reduce their emissions, including embedded carbon. CarbonWin® approach to sludge treatment To flag up just one aspect of our work in this area, our HUBER CarbonWin® solution to sludge treatment is specifically focussed on this issue. The innovative system for carbon removal is already established in Europe and following recent UK trials is gaining traction here. At the heart of the process is the HUBER Drum Screen LIQUID ( DSL). The DSL is an alternative to primary settlement tanks and is designed for new or existing sewage treatment works which need additional capacity. The screen can do a lot of the separation which would normally be done in a primary settlement tank. With ever-increasing energy costs, the DSL’s fine screen technology provides an energy efficient, low footprint, way to reduce SS and COD and optimise the energy balance of the sewage treatment plant. Typically combined with the HUBER Disc Thickener S-DISC - the second stage of the CarbonWin® process can then thicken sludge for use in an AD plant. Whether it’s an existing site that needs to expand but hasn’t got the footprint for additional built infrastructure, or a brand new site with a very tight footprint - the DSL has some unique advantages to offer in terms of common emission reductions. The equipment used in the HUBER CarbonWin® Process has a footprint 1/10th that of conventional primary tanks - thus allowing cost-effective works expansion and improved sludge removal volumes for gas generation, without the need for increased secondary capacity and the associated aeration demand. In terms of the ability to deliver significant reductions in embedded carbon, we know our technology has massive potential to help the water companies, and we are seeing real interest across the country. Other companies at all points in the wider water sector supply chain – from SMEs to large corporates – will no doubt be adopting similar approaches on a wide range of other services and equipment needed for water and wastewater treatment. Supply chain has net zero solutions which water companies could rapidly implement The supply chain has solutions which the water companies could implement today which will start delivering carbon reductions in weeks or months – and they would welcome the opportunity to demonstrate how they can contribute. The Water UK Routemap to 2030, which was drawn up by water industry experts from Ricardo and Mott MacDonald with support from all the water companies, highlighted collaboration as key to achieving net zero in the water sector between now and 2050. Aptly summed up by Mike Haigh, Mott Macdonald’s executive chairman, who commented: “Net zero isn’t something that any one water or wastewater company can achieve alone. Every single organization will have to work with its peers, with the whole of its supply chain, with landowners and with its customers. Government and regulators have pivotal roles in setting the policy and legislative frameworks to enable and incentivise the transition. Net zero by 2030 will be a huge team effort.” Interview by Elaine Coles at Waterbriefing[...]

[...]South Padre Island, TX, USA In the southernmost part of Texas, not far from the Mexican border and directly on the Gulf of Mexico, lies the headland of South Padre Island. This place is made for holidays, with sun, sand and sea. From February to October, streams of tourists roll there on the fine sandy beach and enjoy the waves and the warmth, which is about 40°C during the day. As there is also a high humidity of over 90%, the best place to spend the day is in the sea or at the pool. The exposed location of South Padre Island has of course also its disadvantage. Many people take a shower several times a day and flush the adherent fine sand with an average grain size of 100 µm into the sewerage system. After a short time, the fine sand then reaches the sewage treatment plant, which has no sand trap installed and therefore struggles with problems again and again due to sand deposits in the biological stage. These circumstances were ideal for our HUBER Grit Trap GritWolf® to prove its efficiency in the separation of fine sand down to a grain size of 75 µm in a test run. The design of the GritWolf® grit trap sets new standards in this respect, because a short aerated chamber, in which floating material is drifting to the surface, is followed by a connected unaerated area with lamella separator. The floating matter is removed discontinuously by a proven paddle. The fine sands continuously separated in the lamella separator collect at the bottom of the machine and are transported towards the suction pump by a type of time-controlled horizontal conveyors that has proven 1,000 times over. In South Padre Island, the GritWolf® was fed with 15 - 50 l/s as the inflow varied over the day. Temporarily, fine sand with a grain size of 100 - 200 µm was additionally added to the natural fine sand feed at an inflow of approx. 40 l/s in order to further verify the new test method for grit traps (see Korrespondenz Abwasser , 2018(65); No. 7; 607-611). The samples taken at the outlet of the GritWolf® clearly confirmed that more than 95% of the sand grains ≥ 100 µm were safely retained. For the upcoming tender the HUBER GritWolf® grit trap has fully convinced the operator. If your wastewater treatment plant is also plagued by fine sand, then our HUBER GritWolf® is the right solution for you. Of course, we can also upgrade your existing grit trap with our GritWolf® technology, so that operating problems caused by fine sand become a thing of the past.[...]