The sixth largest water company in England and Wales, Dwr Cymru Welsh Water, has taken a top prize at this year’s prestigious Business Commitment to the Environment (BCE) Environmental Leadership Awards for developing the first successful commercial application of ultraviolet (UV) disinfection technology to treat poor quality sewage.

The annual competition, established in 1975 by former British Rail boss, Sir Peter Parker, recognises and rewards companies which protect and enhance the environment without compromising on business performance.

Dwr Cymru Welsh Water was awarded the Process Premier Award for installing and testing UV technology at the Cog Moors treatment works in the Vale of Glamorgan. The pilot project challenged conventional wisdom that UV is only suitable for treating good quality water and proved that it can be just as efficacious in reducing bacteria and viruses in combined sewage and storm overflows. The Cogs Moor pilot project has led to a significantly reduced carbon footprint and the technology is estimated to have already led to directly attributable savings of more than £20 million.

Andrew Bowen, Dwr Cymru Welsh Water capital delivery manager said:

“Dwr Cymru Welsh Water is proud to have been short-listed for these awards and honoured to be recognised as an industry leader.  Our vision over the next 25 years is to strive for even higher quality standards in protecting the environment, to employ a zero tolerance approach to pollution service failures and to achieve a 50% cut in the company’s greenhouse gas emissions. 

“Being honoured with a prestigious BCE Environmental Leadership Award is acknowledgement that we are on track in turning our vision into a sustainable reality,” he added.

Leading water utilities partnership, Veolia Water UK and SQS Ltd also received a Major Commendation for changing industry standards and practices for sustainable construction waste recycling. Veolia Water, which  supplies drinking water in the south east of England, and SQS, which provides high quality highways reinstatement and maintenance, work closely together to reduce environmental impacts. This innovative partnership has resulted in more than 20,000 tonnes of excavated streetworks waste being recycled for beneficial use and a saving of almost 2,000 tonnes of carbon dioxide.