Our core programme of free evening
talks on diverse engineering aspects
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Talk
We Need to Talk about Sewage
1 October 2024
6.00 - 8.00pm
sewage-small-58664.jpg
A constructed wetland in the Stour catchment. Courtesy of Water Design Engineers.
Venue:
The Building Centre
Store Street
London WC1E 7BT
 
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This is a hybrid event. If you wish to participate online book in as usual and we will send you a link prior to the event starting.

Given the crisis in the state of our rivers it is perhaps no surprise that sewage and pollution in our waterways became a political issue in the recent election. There are many causes of this: climate change and and weather extremes which are beyond the planned capacity of our wastewater systems. An ageing infrastructure conceived in a different age with different attitudes to waste. An economic framework which has led to under-investment in the technology required. A weak and underfunded regulatory authority.

But do we know how to solve this problem? Private citizens have become the front line in gathering data and calling out the Water Companies. National newspapers have added their voice to supporting them. Do we need rethink the economic model? Do we need a more strategic approach to dealing with weather extremes for example focussing on surface storm water? Can we invest more in nature-based filtration and smaller scale technical solutions. And do the engineering professions need to get more involved in these activities?

Panel includes:
Julia King, Julia King Associates
George Rose, Water Design Engineers
Rhys Williams, Civic Engineers
John Lyall, Lyall, Bills, & Young Architects (chairing)

The event will feature short presentations from a number of contributors and open discussion: come and have your say.

This is a hybrid event produced in association with the Happold Foundation