The MCERTS self-monitoring of effluent flow regulations have progressed well since the last WWEM in 2006 and this year's event will provide an update on progress to-date in addition to the provision of the latest help and guidance on new MCERTS schemes for continuous water quality monitoring equipment, sampling and water analysis in the laboratory.

WWEM 2008 will also highlight a number of new technologies from the world’s leading suppliers:  ABB, Achromatic, Emerson Process, HACH LANGE, OTT Hydrometry, PPM, RS Hydro, Servo and YSI will all launch new products at the event.

WWEM 2008 will take place on the 5th and 6th November 2008 at the Telford International Centre.

The WWEM events (Water Wastewater and Environmental Monitoring) were created to help improve the quality and reliability of environmental monitoring by providing the latest information on the key issues, including:

The WWEM 2008 conference (which is repeated on both days) will provide an update on the latest regulatory changes with respect to process monitoring and the analytical testing of soil and water. This will be supported by over 70 Workshops that will provide practical help and advice on a broad range of monitoring issues.
An exhibition will run alongside the event featuring almost all of the world’s leading instrument manufacturers and service providers – totalling in excess of 100 companies, this represents a unique opportunity to see the entire market in one place.

In order to improve the quality and reliability of environmental emissions monitoring delivered by operators of regulated processes, the Environment Agency of England and Wales (EA) has developed a monitoring certification scheme known as MCERTS, which will feature in several of the Conference and workshop presentations.
The scheme is based upon the premise that quality data is dependent upon the proper use of methods, standards, services and equipment, trained and qualified personnel, effective planning, quality assurance and quality control.

Commenting on the importance of MCERTS, EA Chief Executive Dr Paul Leinster says, “The Environment Agency is committed to protecting and improving the environment in England and Wales and our Monitoring Certification Scheme, MCERTS, helps us to achieve this by giving us confidence in monitoring data provided by operators. It makes clear what we expect, whether monitoring emissions to air, discharges to water or analysing soils. MCERTS covers monitoring equipment, laboratories carrying out testing, and effluent flow monitoring arrangements. MCERTS is already mandatory as a condition in many of the permits we issue and will be extended to others in the future as part of our commitment to modernising regulation.”

The scheme plays an important role in the Agency’s move to self monitoring, and their Paul Wiggins (who will speak at WWEM conference) says, “I am pleased with the progress that MCERTS has made in the water monitoring sector as existing schemes evolve and new schemes are introduced.”

Self monitoring of effluent flow
MCERTS sets a target of +/- 8% uncertainty for the total daily volume of effluent discharged. The scheme has already been successfully applied to the ten Water Utilities for which over 2500 MCERTS site conformity inspection certificates have been issued. MCERTS is now being extended to include industrial installations with effluent flow monitoring limits included in their PPC permits and all inspections are to be completed by 31st  December 2008.

WWEM organiser Marcus Pattison says "By the time WWEM takes place I would hope that most Water Utility and PPC flow inspections will have either taken place or be imminent. It is likely therefore, that many process operators will be looking for ways to undertake remedial work in order to ensure compliance and WWEM represents an ideal opportunity to discover the best methods and technologies available."

The next progression for MCERTS: self monitoring of effluent flow is to consider other dischargers of effluent such as:

Continuous water monitoring equipment (CWME)
MCERTS sets out the EA’s performance requirements and test procedures for three types of equipment. Testing includes both laboratory and field trials to provide evidence that the performance requirements can be achieved. This evidence can be provided by data from new testing or in certain circumstances by using existing traceable and verifiable data. An audit of the manufacturing process is also a requirement. For more details on certification contact Sira, who operate the scheme on the Environment Agency’s behalf at www.sira.co.uk

Automatic samplers
MCERTS samplers are now available for of a wide variety of applications.
HACH LANGE manufactures MCERTS approved samplers and Marketing Manager Sarah Blayds says, “As a market leader in water testing, sampling and monitoring instrumentation, our customers can expect to produce reliable accurate results from well maintained equipment. However, MCERTS accreditation provides extra assurance that the product ‘does exactly what it says on the tin’. With many thousands of customers all over the world, we have a reputation for high quality instruments and we are fully in favour of any scheme that helps to improve the quality of environmental monitoring.”

On-line analysers
Determinands included in the on-line analyser standard are: Turbidity; pH; ammonia; COD; TOC; dissolved oxygen; total phosphorus; nitrates; total oxidised nitrogen.

PPM’s Steve Tuck says, “Entering various product(s) for independent testing is a costly and time consuming exercise, however, MCERTS underpins the sale of our TOC instrument since it has been deemed fit for purpose by independent third party evaluation.”

PPM was one of the first instrument companies to apply for MCERTS approval on a water quality test instrument. The certification for the Protoc 300 TOC analyser was formally awarded at WWEM 2006.

Commenting on behalf of Partech Instruments, Angus Fosten says, “We are serious about the role our instruments play in the clean water environment and the association with MCERTS validates our commitment to the manufacture of water quality instruments to the highest of standards.
Any water plant manager with a responsibility for final discharge consents can rest assured that the MCERTS accreditation process for Turbidity required both thorough and vigorous testing.
MCERTS has raised the awareness of the Water Plant Manager, which in turn has raised the profile of Partech Instruments. Since achieving the MCERTS accreditation, we have received more enquiries from potential customers.”
           
The on-line analyser standard is currently being updated to include saline environments. The newly formed Water Monitoring Association (WMA) www.w-m-a.org has recently reviewed the current on-line analyser standard. Their feedback has been considered and relevant modifications were included in the latest version that was published in March 2008 as part of a continuous review process. Additional determinands will be included in future versions of the standard if there is a demand (e.g. toxic metals).

Water flow meters
Leading instrument manufacturers including GE Sensing EMEA and Siemens Ultrasonics Process Instruments Inc. have a range of equipment certified to cover differing applications.

Other manufacturers, such as YSI and SonTek, have equipment in the process of MCERTS certification.
Commenting on his company’s participation in the MCERTS scheme, YSI Regional Director Darren Hanson says, “Above all, MCERTS provides third party verification of instrument performance/quality and as a major supplier to the Environment Agency it is natural for us to support the scheme. We have a number of products currently in evaluation, both for water quality and flow measurement, and we are hopeful that MCERTS will provide an extra level of confidence in our products in markets all over the world.”

Many more instrument manufacturers will be presented with MCERTS certificates at the WWEM 2008 Gala Dinner – an event that is famed for the high quality of its after-dinner entertainment. However, the organisers have yet to reveal this year's star turn… watch this space.

Portable water monitoring equipment
MCERTS sets out the Environment Agency’s performance requirements and test procedures. The following determinands are currently covered – temperature; pH; conductivity; dissolved oxygen; turbidity; ammonia; nitrate; nitrite and chlorophyll a.

Testing includes both laboratory and field trials to provide evidence that the performance requirements can be achieved. This evidence can be provided by data from new testing or in certain circumstances by using existing traceable and verifiable data. An audit of the manufacturing process is also a requirement. For more details of the certification process contact Sira at www.sira.co.uk

Feedback from manufacturers led to a review of the standard with two key changes being incorporated into the latest version:

The Environment Agency is working with BSi to link the MCERTS standard to the re-write of BS1472: Guide to field and on site test methods for the analysis of waters. Additional determinands will also be included in future versions of the standard if there is a demand.

Direct toxicity assessment of effluents
Eight laboratories have now gained approval by following EA published test methods, having an appropriate quality management scheme and participating in an EA DTA proficiency testing scheme. 

Sampling and analysis
An MCERTS performance standard has been developed to cover sampling and analysis of waste and environmental waters.  Initially it will target the self-monitoring of sewage effluents, but will be extended to cover other water matrices such as industrial effluents. 

WWEM 2008
The organisers of WWEM 2008 (Water, Wastewater & Environmental Monitoring) claim that it will be the world’s largest event of its kind and with a high level Conference, a Gala MCERTS Presentation Dinner, over 70 workshops and more than 100 exhibitors all focusing on environmental testing and monitoring, the claim would appear to be well founded.

Marcus Pattison, says, “WWEM has become a focal point for everyone with an interest in water monitoring. The Conference covers major monitoring and regulatory themes, whilst a wide variety of Workshops enables attendees to tailor their visit to best meet their individual needs.
The WWEM exhibition includes almost all of the world’s major instrumentation manufacturers, so visitors are able to see the latest technologies and discuss their applications with industry experts. Basically, whether you are responsible for process control, wastewater treatment, effluent flow or quality, either online, manually or in the laboratory, WWEM will be an important event for you to attend.”
 
WWEM 2008 Conference
Heavily supported by the Environment Agency, the main Conference will cover themes such as:

Speakers will provide an update on the Environment Agency's Modern Regulation Programme and its impact on monitoring, including the roles of MCERTS and OMA (Operator Monitoring Assessment) in the delivery of the programme.
OMA has been successfully applied to the monitoring of industrial air emissions and is now being extended to include discharges to the aquatic environment.

The OMA scheme is designed to provide a 'yard stick' by which operators' monitoring arrangements can be measured in a consistent and transparent manner. OMA will produce a score that reflects the quality and reliability of self-monitoring undertaken by an operator. It consists of four sections:

OMA 1- Management, training and competence of personnel;
OMA 2 - Fitness for purpose of monitoring methods;
OMA 3 - Maintenance and calibration of monitoring equipment;
OMA 4 - Quality assurance of monitoring.

For the first time WWEM will cover MCERTS schemes for both water and soil sampling and analysis in the laboratory.
Debbie Hudson from UKAS will deliver a presentation that will outline the requirements for gaining MCERTS accreditation and the procedures for doing so in water sampling and analysis.
Jeff Ruddle, also from UKAS, will provide an update on the progress of MCERTS in the soil analysis sector outlining the scheme's benefits for regulators, laboratories and their customers. The importance of sampling, its effects on the uncertainty of data and possibilities for reducing the uncertainty will also be discussed.
In addition, Colin Green from QROS will outline the difficulties in interpreting laboratory data for risk assessment and waste classification as a result of the non-homogeneity of soil on contaminated sites. He will also demonstrate how the integration of on-site analysis and soil sampling under an MCERTS umbrella can minimise this problem.

WWEM 2008 Workshops
Reviewing the published Workshops, Marcus Pattison says, "WWEM visitors will be able to tailor their visit to best meet their needs by attending those presentations and workshops that are of most interest. The Workshops offer something for everyone, covering water level and flow monitoring, water quality monitoring, wireless data collection and laboratory analysis in applications such as wastewater, drinking water, process water, rivers, reservoirs, groundwater, contaminated land and marine water."

"Many of the world's leading analytical services companies, instrument manufacturers and testing service providers will cover a comprehensive  range of measurands including heavy metals, trace organics, turbidity, ammonium, dissolved oxygen, nutrients, chlorine, TOC, particle count and many more. The Workshop titles tend to address one key, tightly defined topic, and as such they attract audiences with a genuine interest in the subject. This provides attendees with useful help and advice, and provides exhibitors with essential feedback from users of their products or services."

Visiting WWEM 2008
Conveniently located at the Telford International Centre, just North of Birmingham with good motorway, rail and air links, WWEM will be an attractive opportunity for overseas visitors and the organisers have reported online registrations from all over the world.

Entry to WWEM 2008 will be free to all Pre-Registered visitors (saving a daily admission fee of £20)
Pre-Registered visitors will be entitled to free onsite parking, free lunches and refreshments on both days of the event, and complimentary entry to all workshops.

Visitors to WWEM include staff at every level within regulators, water companies, industrial manufacturers, consultants, education, researchers, process engineers and laboratory analysts.
The proportion of overseas visitors is growing rapidly because a trip to WWEM provides the opportunity to see the whole water monitoring industry in one place, to meet like-minded people, to learn about the latest technologies and to hear about the latest regulatory developments.

Marcus Pattison is urging WWEM visitors to plan their time at the event carefully, adding, “WWEM 2008 is bigger than ever and visitors have complained in the past that they have been unable to attend those Workshops and Conference sessions that are of most interest, whilst leaving sufficient time to browse the exhibition. It will therefore be more important than ever for visitors to this year’s event to plan their schedule before they arrive; WWEM is a working event, not one at which visitors can doze peacefully in the audience. We have packed a great deal into the two days and visitors have to work hard to ensure that they maximise the value of their time at WWEM.”