Webinar to explore how indirect potable reuse can move from concept to full implementation

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Water professionals across the UK are being invited to attend an upcoming webinar examining how indirect potable reuse (IPR) can move from concept and demonstration projects to full-scale implementation as part of the UK's long-term water resource strategy.

Taking place online on 14 July 2026, the webinar will be hosted by Xylem, a global provider of water technology solutions whose advanced water treatment technologies are already supporting major indirect potable reuse plants around the world. The event will provide valuable insights for UK water companies that are evaluating or progressing water reuse projects to strengthen drinking water resilience, improve water security and address increasing pressures on water resources.

As the UK water sector looks for sustainable ways to secure future water supplies in response to population growth, climate change and increasing demand, indirect potable reuse is becoming an increasingly important part of strategic water resource planning. Several UK utilities are already working with Xylem on indirect potable reuse project design, pilot schemes and demonstration plants, helping to build the technical expertise and operational confidence required for wider deployment.

Supporting the future of UK water resources

Indirect potable reuse is the most widely adopted form of potable water reuse globally and is now gaining momentum within the UK water industry as companies develop resilient and sustainable approaches to safeguarding future drinking water supplies.

The process involves treating wastewater to an exceptionally high standard before it is released into an environmental buffer such as a river, reservoir or aquifer. The water can then be abstracted at a later stage before undergoing further treatment to produce safe, high-quality drinking water.

Delivering successful full-scale indirect potable reuse schemes requires advanced treatment technologies that provide continuous protection of public health while consistently achieving demanding regulatory standards. Reliable process monitoring, robust treatment barriers and comprehensive risk management frameworks are all essential to ensuring safe and dependable operation.

The webinar will examine how water companies can successfully transition from pilot and demonstration projects to operational indirect potable reuse facilities capable of delivering continuous, 24/7 treatment performance and regulatory compliance.

Expert speakers

The webinar will feature presentations from leading experts in water reuse and advanced water treatment, including:

Barry Hopton, UK Head of Wastewater Treatment, Xylem
Uwe Hübner, Senior Process Engineer, Water Reuse & Advanced Oxidation Process, Xylem
Germano Salazar-Benites, Water Reuse Engineer, Hampton Roads Sanitation District's Sustainable Water Initiative for Tomorrow (SWIFT), Chair of the Water Reuse Program Committee and Second Vice-Chair of the Water Reuse Community at the Water Environment Federation

Drawing on both UK and international experience, the speakers will discuss the technical, operational and regulatory considerations involved in implementing successful indirect potable reuse schemes.

Key discussion topics

Attendees will gain insight into several critical aspects of indirect potable reuse, including:

Designing treatment systems that provide continuous protection of public health
Monitoring contaminants that cannot be measured in real time
Applying Hazard Analysis & Critical Control Points (HACCP)-based frameworks to strengthen regulatory compliance and operational confidence
Lessons learned from demonstration projects and full-scale water reuse facilities
The technologies and processes required to support reliable long-term operation

The session will be particularly relevant for professionals involved in water treatment, wastewater treatment, drinking water production, water resource planning and environmental regulation, as well as those responsible for developing resilient water infrastructure for the future.