Event: BlueTech Forum 2024 – Innovation for a Sustainable Water Future

Date: June 2024

Location: Edinburgh, Scotland

Type of CPD: International innovation conference / strategic engagement / environmental and digital transformation

Duration: Two‑day event (attendee + contributor)

Summary of the Event

I attended the BlueTech Forum 2024 in Edinburgh, an international gathering of utilities, technology innovators, investors, researchers and sustainability leaders. The forum is recognised for convening global thought‑leaders to explore the future of water innovation, climate resilience, circularity and digital transformation.

The 2024 programme focused on nature‑positive strategies, advanced monitoring, AI‑enabled optimisation, industrial water management, and climate‑resilient infrastructure. The event also highlighted the growing importance of biological insight, high‑resolution data and integrated digital platforms in enabling predictive operations and environmental protection.

Throughout the forum, I engaged with utilities, technology providers and investors on the role of real‑time biological monitoring and microbial activity sensing in supporting treatment optimisation, compliance, and catchment‑scale understanding.

Key Themes Covered

• Climate resilience and adaptation Strategies for managing extreme weather, water scarcity and infrastructure vulnerability.
• Digital transformation and AI Predictive analytics, digital twins, automation and integrated data ecosystems.
• Advanced monitoring and sensing Biological, chemical and physical sensors for real‑time operational insight.
• Industrial water and circularity Water reuse, resource recovery, decarbonisation and sustainable manufacturing.
• Nature‑positive and catchment‑scale approaches Biodiversity, ecological outcomes and integrated environmental management.
• Innovation scaling and investment Commercialisation pathways, pilot design, venture funding and utility partnerships.