Event: IWA Leading Edge Technology (LET) Conference 2022

Date: March 2022

Location: Reno, Nevada, USA

Type of CPD: International technical conference / keynote speaking / advanced research and innovation

Duration: Multi‑day conference (speaker + participant)

Summary of the Event

I participated in the International Water Association (IWA) Leading Edge Technology (LET) Conference 2022 in Reno, one of the world’s premier events for cutting‑edge water and wastewater technologies. The conference brought together global researchers, utilities, technology developers and academic leaders to explore the latest breakthroughs in treatment processes, digitalisation, energy optimisation and materials science.

I attended the conference as a speaker, delivering a technical presentation on advanced membrane technologies and their role in next‑generation water and wastewater treatment. My session focused on performance improvements, fouling mitigation, real‑time monitoring integration and the future of membrane‑based systems in a resource‑constrained world.

The event provided a high‑level platform for scientific exchange, networking and exposure to emerging research from leading institutions worldwide.

My Contribution: Speaker on Advanced Membrane Technologies

Presentation Title: Advanced Membrane Technologies: Performance, Monitoring and the Future of High‑Efficiency Treatment

Key points delivered:

• Presented recent advancements in membrane materials, including enhanced permeability, selectivity and chemical resistance.
• Discussed fouling mitigation strategies, such as surface modification, hydrophilic coatings and optimised operational regimes.
• Demonstrated how real‑time monitoring and microbial activity sensing can be integrated with membrane systems to improve performance and reduce downtime.
• Highlighted the potential for energy‑efficient membrane processes, including low‑pressure systems and hybrid configurations.
• Explored future directions in membrane bioreactors (MBRs), forward osmosis, nanocomposite membranes and smart membranes with embedded sensing capabilities.
• Engaged in technical Q&A with researchers, utilities and technology developers.

Key Themes Covered

Global research collaboration Cross‑institutional partnerships and emerging international research priorities.

Membrane science and materials innovation Nanostructured materials, surface engineering and next‑generation polymer chemistry.

Operational optimisation and fouling control Data‑driven strategies, cleaning regimes and predictive maintenance.

Hybrid and integrated treatment systems Combining membranes with biological, chemical and physical processes.

Digitalisation and real‑time monitoring Embedding sensors and analytics into membrane systems for continuous optimisation.

Energy efficiency and sustainability Reducing operational costs and environmental impact through advanced design.