The following is a list of current Working Groups established within the Society. Ad hoc groups are formed on particular topics and disbanded once objectives have been reached. Working Group members are indicated on the matrix at the rear of this publication.
HEALTH & SAFETY WORKING GROUP
The SBWWI Health & Safety Group comprises member company representatives who are committed to promoting the improvement of H&S standards within all SBWWI member companies. This is achieved by offering support, assistance and encouragement to those member companies who may not have the necessary H&S resource or expertise to carry out this function competitvely. The Group uses its strengths to shape and influence key decision makers within the HSE and industry organisations, to improve the reputation of the water industry.Key areas of activity include:
- recording and collating 'near miss' incidents and disseminating to members on a regular basis
- Lobbying industry organisations to raise awareness of SBWWI member activities
- Being an influential participant on industry working groups and providing guidance and expertise to those industry rganisations
- Identifying a suitable H&S standard for all member companies to achieve and to encourage improvement on such a standard
EXPORT WORKING GROUP
The aim of the Export Working Group is to advance the common interests of all members who are currently involved in exporting activities or who are researching the possibilities of moving into the export market. Its key objectives are to identify:- Major areas of export activities for members
- Availability and access to funding
- UK Trade & Investment leads
- UK Water Company activity overseas
- Overseas procurement process and specifications
- Relevant overseas exhibitions
- To share experiences of exporting in different countries
LEAKAGE WORKING GROUP
SBWWI members are in the main split between contractors and manufacturers, and as such are heavily involved in working with water companies in developing better ways to target the activity of leakage detection engineers and manage the network to minimise risk of bursts occurring. There is a substantial amount of experience of all aspects of leakage management within SBWWI and the Society is recognised as a source of expertise and information.In its early stages, the Group produced the "Model Form of Contract for Leakage Projects. This document was produced in 1999 and 2000 as part of the Society of British Water & Wastewater Industries initiative to improve the level of performance in the UK Water Industry in the general field of "Leakage". The document recommends a Model Form Conditions of Contract, Specification Clauses and Cost Schedules, which whilst not being prescriptive, does form a Model for general use, and if used will provide a consistent approach, which is user friendly. Copies are available from the secretariat.
The Group commenced its popular one-day annual seminars in 1999. These informative and thought-provoking seminars attract a wide spectrum of industry representatives seeking opportunities to broaden their knowledge as well as to network with similar minded individuals.
METER MANUFACTURERS GROUP
Established in December 1998 and consisting of the four main UK Meter Manufacturers; Actaris Metering Systems; Elster Metering; Severn Trent Metering Systems; and Sensus Metering Systems, the Group initially developed the "StarPad" Open Standard for Inductive Meter Reading Pads (copy available from the secretariat).Its aims and objectives is to advance the common interests of all stakeholders in the UK water metering industry by:
Implementing open product standards that enable inter-operability and allow future innovation
Promoting and improving technical standards and practices, and business processes relevant to water metering
Developing better long term forecasts of product requirements and demand characteristics with the Utilities, OFWAT and the Government
SPECIALIST PRODUCTS & SERVICES
Smaller companies have always played an important part in maintaining the Water Companies within the United Kingdom. These companies offer high quality skills, have a vast working knowledge of the plant and systems in use and are dedicated to offering a high quality and responsive personal service. Together they employ a vast number of highly knowledgeable and greatly skilled people.SBWWI has formed a new working group primarily aimed at those smaller contracting companies to identify the issues they are facing and offer a self-help debating forum. A number of issues have already been identified, covering working practices, conformity, payments, conditions, insurance and legislation. The Specialist Products & Services Group list the following as its aims:
The promotion of group members within the Society of its specialist services and supplies and to other organisations outside of SBWWI
Offer specialist support and help to other members
Build and develop relationships within the Society and outside organisations
WASTEWATER WORKING GROUP
SBWWI members include consultants, manufacturers, contractors and other organisations involved in the installation, repair and replacement of wastewater pipes using both conventional techniques and Trenchless Technology which minimises environmental impact and disruption by removing or reducing the need for excavation. The Society also caters for companies involved in confined-space working of all types; such as river culverts, bridge deck spaces and tunnels, and is committed to the highest standards of quality and safety.The Group produced its first Wastewater Seminar in November 2003 and plans to continue to provide informative and timely wastewater seminars.
