Practical training for wastewater plants and anaerobic digesters
- Case Study: Bespoke training programmes for Yorkshire Water -
The issue
Finding the right training vehicles
can be hard. Some consultants
are good at teaching a set
curriculum, but their knowledge
of the subject matter is not strong.
Some institutions offer valuable
but academic and theoretical
learning. In-house training
departments, where they exist,
may not be up to speed with
current best practice. There is
a concern of the training going
stale – if they are running courses
using internal resources only then
how do they keep improving it?
Business-focused learning has always been a priority at Yorkshire Water, with recognition that improved individual performance contributes to achieving overall business objectives. One of the ways Yorkshire Water demonstrates their commitment is by investing in their people so everyone develops to their full potential. Yorkshire Water was keen to move forward with a customised programme provided by a well-respected training company that was deeply entrenched in the subject matter at hand; wastewater plants and anaerobic digestion.
Business-focused learning has always been a priority at Yorkshire Water, with recognition that improved individual performance contributes to achieving overall business objectives. One of the ways Yorkshire Water demonstrates their commitment is by investing in their people so everyone develops to their full potential. Yorkshire Water was keen to move forward with a customised programme provided by a well-respected training company that was deeply entrenched in the subject matter at hand; wastewater plants and anaerobic digestion.
The solution
![]()
Aqua Enviro, a SUEZ company, is in
a unique position. It has extensive
knowledge and operational
experience, consulting across
the waste, wastewater, energyfrom-
waste industry. It is also a
training and conference company.
In recognition of the years of sector
experience, Yorkshire Water
approached Aqua Enviro to help
design and deliver customised
training to upskill employees.
Additionally, they wanted
these employees to champion
best practices within their
site operational areas.
The Aqua Enviro team worked
directly with the Yorkshire
Water Learning & Development
department to design a series
of courses aligned with their
business objectives and
operational challenges. Bespoke
course content was developed.
This took into consideration
their deployed technologies and
developing needs. The course
materials were reviewed by
the Yorkshire Water technical
team to ensure everything was
pitched appropriately and of
requisite technical standard.
The programme incorporated four delivery platforms, each targeting different employee groups, to ensure everyone received the training they needed.
The Aqua Enviro team worked
directly with the Yorkshire
Water Learning & Development
department to design a series
of courses aligned with their
business objectives and
operational challenges. Bespoke
course content was developed.
This took into consideration
their deployed technologies and
developing needs. The course
materials were reviewed by
the Yorkshire Water technical
team to ensure everything was
pitched appropriately and of
requisite technical standard.The programme incorporated four delivery platforms, each targeting different employee groups, to ensure everyone received the training they needed.
Delivery platforms
Foundation training
A highly targeted presentation available to all staff with the aim of facilitating conversations across the business using common language
Specialised modules
Upskilling the operation’s teams on new technologies and technology platforms introduced at Yorkshire Water sites, ensuring assets are operating at peak performance
Remote technical training
Half day courses with tailored courses on activated sludge and anaerobic digestion
In-person courses
To help enhance scientific knowledge and construct performance optimisation strategies based on real world experience on:
a. Thickening and dewatering
b. Energy management in operations
c. Inlet works and primary tanks
d. Laboratory tests including
microscopic analysis of activated sludge
A highly targeted presentation available to all staff with the aim of facilitating conversations across the business using common language
Specialised modules
Upskilling the operation’s teams on new technologies and technology platforms introduced at Yorkshire Water sites, ensuring assets are operating at peak performance
Remote technical training
Half day courses with tailored courses on activated sludge and anaerobic digestion
In-person courses
To help enhance scientific knowledge and construct performance optimisation strategies based on real world experience on:
a. Thickening and dewatering
b. Energy management in operations
c. Inlet works and primary tanks
d. Laboratory tests including
microscopic analysis of activated sludge
As part of the in-person courses
a series of improvement projects
around energy and chemical
consumption were identified.
These included:
- TRIAD site-specific plans: learning how to reduce TRIAD energy costs by understanding and evaluating the process risk of turning down or even switching off plant items such as blowers and pumps
- Polymer make up, blending and dosing optimisation: After electricity the cost of chemicals are the highest. The teams were taught how to optimise blending, mixing and dosing in order to save up to 10%
- Biogas, gas bag and CHP optimisation strategies: Understanding how to manage gas holder levels to manage offset peak tariff electricity consumption depending upon storage capacity
- Best practice in operations: Operating machinery, such as dewatering equipment outside of peak tariff times
The results
The client was extremely satisfied
with the quality of training. The
employees rated their experience
highly; Matt Smyth, Technical
Director says “Close collaboration
has been at the heart of this project.
From initial scoping through
to delivery this has ensured
the training was on point, well
received and produced valuable
outcomes. I’m looking forward
to working further with YW to
help them achieve their vision
of maximising staff potential”.
What was particularly impressive was the immediate and direct impact of this highly interactive training programme. Reallife projects were brought to the table by the attendees. In collaboration the Aqua Enviro trainers and Yorkshire Water employees developed strategies
What was particularly impressive was the immediate and direct impact of this highly interactive training programme. Reallife projects were brought to the table by the attendees. In collaboration the Aqua Enviro trainers and Yorkshire Water employees developed strategies
Differentiating factors
Aqua Enviro is a training company,
a conference organiser and a
hands-on consultancy all within the
wastewater industry. This allows
them to be up to date, at the forefront
of theoretical and operational
techniques that genuinely help
improve performance of individuals
and the client companies.
The regular training courses and programmes are highly relevant and they pride themselves in being able to provide programmes in multiple formats as well as ones that are tailored and flexible to meet the individual learning and development needs of clients, with a highly collaborative approach in course design.
The collaborative and highly interactive nature of programmes also helps identify plant and process optimisation opportunities, which are a key value addition for clients.
The regular training courses and programmes are highly relevant and they pride themselves in being able to provide programmes in multiple formats as well as ones that are tailored and flexible to meet the individual learning and development needs of clients, with a highly collaborative approach in course design.
The collaborative and highly interactive nature of programmes also helps identify plant and process optimisation opportunities, which are a key value addition for clients.
The future
Aqua Enviro - SUEZ offer a
range of regular and bespoke
courses. We look forward to
collaborating and hearing about
specific staff training needs
covering technology, plant and site
operations, to help build teams
that will deliver performance
and operational excellence.
It was an absolute pleasure to work collaboratively with Aqua Enviro, to help deliver concise training to our front line operations, helping their understanding of site actions and processes. The training was a great mix of...
Alan Ayliffe-Wastewater Portfolio Project Manager, Yorkshire water
