Shaping the future, bold steps, not perfect plans – delivering visible, lasting impact.
One conversation at Water Matters 2024 changed how we approached trade effluent.
Greg Miles, CSR Manager at Elis
For Greg Miles at Elis, it all started with a coffee and an informal chat at Water Matters 2024. What followed was a pioneering pilot project aimed at transforming how the business handles trade effluent – a project that wouldn’t exist without the spark of that spontaneous, peer-to-peer exchange.
It’s worth mentioning this came off the back of networking at Water Matters!
Greg reflected. And it’s true: this annual event is not just about presentations and policy updates. It’s about the power of connection – where like-minded professionals share challenges, explore possibilities, and form partnerships that drive real-world change.
That conversation set Elis on a new path, teaming up with experts from Freshworks (Gareth Jones), and Enebio (Tom Williams) to turn an idea into a live proof-of-concept pilot. Together, we explored an innovative filtration system designed to reduce trade effluent concentration and enhance water reuse – an approach aligning with both compliance requirements and long-term sustainability goals.
The results?
- A 95% improvement in filtration efficiency.
- Reduced effluent.
- More water recycled.
- Lower costs.
- Real progress – not perfection, but momentum.
The collaboration highlights what Water Matters does best: bringing together industry, regulators, and innovators to shape solutions that work in the real world.
Elis’s experience proves that the event isn’t just a talking shop – it’s a launchpad for action.
And that’s exactly the ethos behind the event.
This is a fantastic example of how Water Matters drives real action. Trade Effluent (TE) is one of the most complex and regulated areas of water management – where compliance is critical, but administrative and discharge challenges are often underestimated. What’s exciting here is the proactive collaboration sparked by a single conversation at the event. It shows how peer-to-peer dialogue can turn into tangible progress, just like Elis’s pilot project.
At Waterscan, we specialise in navigating TE complexities – from consent management to cost-efficient compliance. If you’re tackling similar challenges, let’s continue the conversation. Join me in the ‘Meet the Expert’ sessions at Water Matters 2025, where we can explore how to turn bold ideas into measurable impact for your business.
Barry Millar, CTO at Waterscan
With a renewed focus on “Action Matters”, this year’s event will showcase how bold conversations turn into practical pilots. It’s where regulators like Defra and Ofwat meet businesses who are ready to roll up their sleeves. Where challenges meet solutions. Where momentum builds.
So, what could start for you at Water Matters 2025? Whether you’re tackling water resilience, cost pressures, or compliance challenges – the right conversation might just change everything.
Join us. Find your partner. Shape the future.
Because lasting impact starts with bold steps – not perfect plans.
