UKSTT Infiltration & Inflow Masterclass Delivers Expert Insights to Record Attendance
Industry professionals gather at the Woodland Grange Hotel for comprehensive one-day programme addressing critical wastewater and surface water infrastructure challenges
The United Kingdom Society for Trenchless Technology (UKSTT) successfully concluded its Infiltration & Inflow Masterclass at the Woodland Grange Hotel in Leamington Spa, drawing exceptional attendance from water industry professionals seeking practical solutions to persistent infrastructure challenges.
Whilst infiltration to sewers has been on the agenda for decades, the unprecedented investment in the current AMP for reducing Storm Sewer Overflow (SSO) discharges has brought the issue of sealing against infiltration into sharp focus. However, achieving reduction at the scale required is a challenge and so we invited Water and Sewerage Companies 
(WaSCs) to come and share their experiences and plans. Alongside infiltration reduction, WaSCs are also beginning to focus on the reduction of inflow of surface water to combined sewers to reduce SSO discharges. This involves both the identification and disconnection of illegal inflows and the identification of legal inflows that can be re-directed away from the sewer.
The one-day interactive masterclass focused specifically on water companies’ real-world experiences with tackling infiltration and inflow issues, providing attendees with invaluable insights into what strategies have proven effective and which approaches have fallen short in practical applications. The event’s record-breaking registration numbers demonstrated the urgent industry need for collaborative knowledge sharing on these critical water management topics.
Expert speakers from Severn Trent Water, South West Water, Wessex Water and Anglian Water delivered comprehensive coverage of current industry challenges, sharing detailed case studies and proven methodologies for addressing infiltration and inflow problems that continue to impact water infrastructure across the UK. They were supported by contributions from Thames Water, Irish Water and United Utilities 
who were in the audience. The masterclass format encouraged active participation and facilitated extensive networking opportunities between the sector including water company representatives, consultants, and technology providers.
Recent developments in standards and regulation were also highlighted with speakers from WRc on the updated Sewer Rehabilitation Manual and new UK Water Industry Specification on infiltration resistance testing of liners, and from IKT on the UK Industry Guidance Notes on CIPP rehabilitation and water industry regulation.
The programme’s success reflects the exceptional quality of speakers and their direct relevance to the pressing issues facing the water sector today. Industry professionals praised the practical focus of presentations, which moved beyond theoretical discussions to examine real implementation experiences and measurable outcomes.
“This masterclass represents exactly the kind of collaborative approach our industry needs,” said Iain Naismith, Chair of UKSTT’s Technical & Education Subcommittee. “The exceptional attendance and engagement we witnessed demonstrates how critical these infiltration and inflow challenges have become for water companies nationwide. The quality of discussion and knowledge sharing exceeded our expectations.”
The infiltration and inflow issues addressed during the masterclass have gained increasing prominence within the water management sector due to their significant impact on system efficiency, environmental compliance, and operational costs. Water companies are under mounting pressure to develop effective strategies for managing these challenges while maintaining service quality and meeting regulatory requirements.
UKSTT’s Technical & Education Subcommittee has been instrumental in organising educational programmes that address the industry’s most pressing technical challenges. The masterclass builds upon the Society’s commitment to facilitating knowledge transfer between water companies and promoting best practices across the sector.
Based on the overwhelming positive response and continued industry demand for practical guidance on infiltration and inflow management, plans are currently being discussed for a follow-up event that will further explore emerging solutions and advanced case studies in this critical area.
A huge thank you to everyone who attended and supported the event!
