Event: SWIG (Sensors for Water Interest Group) – PR24 & CSO Water Quality Monitoring Conference

Date: January 2023

Location: UK (Hybrid / In‑person technical conference)

Type of CPD: Keynote speaking / regulatory innovation / environmental monitoring

Duration: Half‑day event (speaker + participant)

Summary of the Event

I participated in the SWIG PR24 & CSO Water Quality Monitoring Conference in January 2023, a specialist technical event focused on the monitoring, regulatory expectations and innovation needs associated with Combined Sewer Overflows (CSOs) ahead of the UK’s PR24 regulatory cycle.

The event brought together regulators, utilities, technology providers, researchers and environmental specialists to discuss the rapidly evolving requirements for CSO monitoring, including the need for higher‑resolution data, improved environmental protection and greater transparency.

I was invited as a Keynote Speaker, presenting on the role of microbial activity sensing and real‑time biological monitoring in strengthening CSO water quality assessment, early‑warning capability and environmental compliance.

My Contribution: Keynote Speaker

Keynote Title: Biological Insight for CSO Monitoring: Real‑Time Data to Support PR24 and Beyond

Key points delivered:

• Explained the limitations of traditional CSO monitoring approaches focused solely on hydraulic or basic water quality parameters.
• Demonstrated how microbial activity sensing provides real‑time biological insight into pollution events, toxicity, and system stress.
• Presented case studies showing how biological monitoring improves early‑warning detection, event characterisation, and environmental impact assessment.
• Discussed integration with digital platforms, including automated alerts, analytics dashboards and predictive tools.
• Highlighted how biological data can support PR24 objectives around transparency, environmental protection, and evidence‑based investment planning.
• Engaged in Q&A with regulators, utilities and monitoring specialists on practical deployment challenges and innovation pathways.

Key Themes Covered

• CSO monitoring requirements for PR24 Regulatory expectations, data quality, transparency and environmental outcomes.
• Real‑time sensing technologies Biological, chemical and physical sensors for high‑resolution monitoring.
• Environmental protection and compliance Understanding the ecological impact of CSO discharges.
• Digital transformation in monitoring Data integration, analytics, automation and predictive modelling.
• Innovation and technology adoption Piloting, validating and scaling new monitoring tools across networks.
• Public trust and transparency The role of high‑quality data in improving accountability and communication.