What to Expect at this Year's BHUC2023

October 27, 2023

The 10-day countdown has begun! We’ve already introduced our expert speakers and specialist trade exhibitions, so what are you waiting for… It’s time to make that last-minute booking! 


This year’s conference is back at Loughborough University’s Holywell Park Conference Centre, where we have hosted several successful conferences.


If you’re contemplating attending our eleventh Borehole Users Conference, you will be in good company, joining representatives from Defra, The Environment Agency, The Coal Authority, Severn Trent, Northumbrian Water, Britvic, and Eden Springs to name but a few…


What’s the day about?


Those who have attended previous Borehole Users Conferences know that the day holds its buzz from start to finish. This year will be no different! 


Our keynote presentation is integral to setting the theme for the day. This year, Dr Stephanie Wray and Andy Turner will consider what sustainability really means for water resources management. Paving the way for the following morning talks, this formidable duo will explore the future risk to businesses as climate change intensifies and water resources deplete, offering a warning to those who do not plan and suffer from lower levels of supply resilience – particularly in drought. 

What are the practical benefits of attending?


Following our keynote presentation, David Banks will dig deeper into the practicalities of well and borehole design, detailing the investment, materials, and understanding necessary to benefit from longevity, energy reduction, cost savings, and carbon emissions. After all, he has written a book on it! 


Of course, abstracting groundwater isn’t just about boreholes. John Calder will lead on from David and explore the technologies and equipment to optimise pump efficiency and reduce energy use from the borehole pump all the way to the point of use. 


James Dodds is on hand to round up the morning sessions, knitting together the key points for everyone to consider during our lunchtime networking session! 

What will the afternoon entail?


This is where our delegates will split in half to attend two parallel workshop sessions.


Workshop 1: Borehole Design


You might think Borehole Design was covered in the morning; what else could you possibly need to know? Well… Boreholes are complex engineering assets, and this interactive session will consider some of the themes from David and John’s talks in more detail. Using a case study, Shona Symon will join David and John to design a borehole, select a pump, and compose a suitable monitoring scheme.


Workshop 2: Water Stewardship


Our second workshop will explore water stewardship and the benefits for abstractors and other stakeholders to work collaboratively to address shared water challenges at a catchment scale. You can expect to get hands-on, working with fellow delegates through a number of exercises! 


Steve Brown will lead the session with support from Envireau Water, whilst Dr Lee Oliver will draw on his invaluable experience at Diageo’s Cameronbridge and Speyside distilleries, the latter of which was the first group of distilleries globally to receive Water Stewardship recognition. Finally, Sarah Wade will introduce the Alliance for Water Stewardship (AWS) standard and the framework this provides for sustainable water management.


Do delegates have the opportunity to reflect on the day’s proceedings?


As with every Borehole Users Conference, we bring all delegates together for an end-of-the-day plenary session. Chaired by
Julia Carter, British Soft Drinks Association, the plenary offers the opportunity to ask those burning questions to a select group of speakers. Julia will recap key points and bring the event to an orderly close, inviting attendees to stop for a soft drink, beer, or wine before they head home.


Sounds interesting, right?! We certainly think so and can’t wait to see you all on the day!
 


If you’ve not yet signed up, ask yourself…


  • Are you reliant on water resources?
  • Do you want to optimise your water supply and save money?
  • Do you value the expertise of renowned industry experts and specialist contractors?
  • Can you benefit from the chance to network with a room full of water professionals?


If the answer to any of the above is “yes, " you can’t afford to miss the only UK conference dedicated to industrial and private water supplies. Click the link below and grab one of our final delegate tickets… 


Join us at BHUC2023

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By Rachael Plant June 17, 2025
Desertification and drought are two of the most pressing environmental challenges of the 21st century. Exacerbated by climate change, the devastating effects of both can be felt across the globe, with an estimated 40% of the world's population impacted by water scarcity events. As global temperatures continue to rise, and severe weather events increase, regions across the globe face the potential for increased frequency and severity of droughts, often progressing rapidly and unexpectedly. As of 29th May this year, a drought was officially declared in parts of the UK, having experienced the driest start to Spring in over 130 years. Whilst the recent rainfall at the start of June has helped to stabilise concerns, uncertainty for the months ahead still remain. How is the UK landscape affected by drought?
By Rachael Plant June 12, 2025
Envireau Water is delighted to welcome Tom Onslow to our North Office in Richmond! Tom joined us at the start of the month from Western Australia, where he gained experience working as a Field Hydrogeologist. Prior to this, Tom graduated from Newcastle University with a Master of Earth Science (MEarthSci). Tom is experienced in both field and desk-based activities, including the supervision of water exploration drilling programs, conducting hydrogeological sampling and logging, carrying out pumping tests and analysis and designing and installing groundwater monitoring networks. Tom has also built a strong foundation in technical reporting, having contributed to a wide range of water-related projects, particularly across the mining sector. At Envireau Water, Tom will continue to develop his hydrogeological expertise and provide technical support across a range of sectors both on site and in the office.
By Rachael Plant June 11, 2025
As the threat of climate change continues to grow, the occurrence of extreme weather events is becoming increasingly common across the UK, with the rising frequency of flooding and drought posing significant challenges nationwide. After the recent dry spell experienced across the UK, one thing is clear: climate change is a hazard affecting all industries and it is more important than ever for businesses to take proactive steps to secure their water supplies against these unpredictable weather events. We asked our Principal Hydrogeologist, Shona Symon , for her thoughts on the matter within the bottled water industry. Shona, can you explain the importance for operators to safeguard their water bottling plant against the impacts of climate change, and what challenges may arise if not adequately protected?
Show More
By Rachael Plant June 17, 2025
Desertification and drought are two of the most pressing environmental challenges of the 21st century. Exacerbated by climate change, the devastating effects of both can be felt across the globe, with an estimated 40% of the world's population impacted by water scarcity events. As global temperatures continue to rise, and severe weather events increase, regions across the globe face the potential for increased frequency and severity of droughts, often progressing rapidly and unexpectedly. As of 29th May this year, a drought was officially declared in parts of the UK, having experienced the driest start to Spring in over 130 years. Whilst the recent rainfall at the start of June has helped to stabilise concerns, uncertainty for the months ahead still remain. How is the UK landscape affected by drought?
By Rachael Plant June 12, 2025
Envireau Water is delighted to welcome Tom Onslow to our North Office in Richmond! Tom joined us at the start of the month from Western Australia, where he gained experience working as a Field Hydrogeologist. Prior to this, Tom graduated from Newcastle University with a Master of Earth Science (MEarthSci). Tom is experienced in both field and desk-based activities, including the supervision of water exploration drilling programs, conducting hydrogeological sampling and logging, carrying out pumping tests and analysis and designing and installing groundwater monitoring networks. Tom has also built a strong foundation in technical reporting, having contributed to a wide range of water-related projects, particularly across the mining sector. At Envireau Water, Tom will continue to develop his hydrogeological expertise and provide technical support across a range of sectors both on site and in the office.
By Rachael Plant June 11, 2025
As the threat of climate change continues to grow, the occurrence of extreme weather events is becoming increasingly common across the UK, with the rising frequency of flooding and drought posing significant challenges nationwide. After the recent dry spell experienced across the UK, one thing is clear: climate change is a hazard affecting all industries and it is more important than ever for businesses to take proactive steps to secure their water supplies against these unpredictable weather events. We asked our Principal Hydrogeologist, Shona Symon , for her thoughts on the matter within the bottled water industry. Shona, can you explain the importance for operators to safeguard their water bottling plant against the impacts of climate change, and what challenges may arise if not adequately protected?
By Rachael Plant June 10, 2025
We're thrilled to welcome Bethan Joule to our growing Shrewsbury office! Bethan joins us as a Senior Hydrogeologist, bringing over six years of experience in technical roles at Wardell Armstrong. Prior to this, she graduated from Queen’s University Belfast with an MSc in Environmental Engineering in 2019. Bethan is experienced in preparing abstraction licence applications, delivering Hydrogeological Risk Assessments (HRAs), and overseeing a wide range of site investigations — including borehole drilling and hydrogeological testing - across multiple sectors, including minerals, waste, and construction. At Envireau Water , Bethan will be continuing to provide similar hydrogeological services to our extensive client base whilst also developing complimentary skills across our broad range of sectors.
Show More