On 3 June 2026, the Water Management Society (WMSoc) will host its annual conference at Aston University Conference Centre in Birmingham, titled “Changing for the Better – New Guidance & Ramifications for the Industry”. The event brings into sharp focus key themes including a raft of new guidance, together with historical context, emerging risks and evolving regulatory frameworks.
As a cornerstone of the Society’s annual calendar, the conference offers a compelling blend of expert insight, practical guidance, and strategic perspective across the water and hygiene management landscape. Built around a series of high-impact presentations and interactive Q&A panels, the programme has been carefully curated to provide the delegate with the latest Industry updates, and with ample opportunity to provide their feedback, direct to the policymakers.
Colin Shekleton of WMSoc will open with a discussion on Authorising Engineers (Water), highlighting the critical importance of independent assurance in water management. His presentation will underline the need for clearly demonstrable competence among Authorising Engineers (Water) and ask what may be required outside of the healthcare arena Sam Baptist, Head of Government Affairs at CIBSE, will examine competency frameworks in the context of the Building Safety Act, with a particular focus on the growing importance of structured continuous professional development (CPD).
Public health will feature prominently in Dr Michael Gormley’s (Herriot Watt University) session on healthcare drainage systems. Drawing on his expertise in environmental engineering and public health, he will explore how conventional design and monitoring practices must evolve to better mitigate infection risks—particularly in clinical environments where vulnerable populations are at heightened risk.
A key highlight of the event will be the presentation of the (S)HTM 04-01 All-Nations Guidance, which is currently available for public consultation, delivered by Dr Richard Beattie and Craig Morning of NHSScotland Assure. This updated guidance aims to harmonise water safety standards across the UK, offering much-needed consistency for duty holders and technical teams. Experienced technology lawyer, Tania Williams, will present “AI in Practice: Navigating Legal and Operational Risks,” addressing the responsible adoption of artificial intelligence, along with associated legal, contractual, and risk management considerations.
Attention will then turn to practical solutions for closed system water quality, presented by Chris Parsloe, Chair of the Closed Systems Control Association (CSCA). His session will explore the latest guidance on both “chemical-free” and conditioned water approaches, evaluating their respective benefits and implementation challenges.
From a regulatory perspective, Ceri Rideout, Legionella Technical Lead at the HSE, will provide an update on inspection trends and common compliance failings. His insights will offer delegates valuable, actionable guidance on current enforcement priorities and how organisations can proactively strengthen their legionella control strategies.
WMSoc’s event programme will include a reflective session marking 50 years of legionella, tracing the journey from the 1976 Philadelphia outbreak to today’s UK regulatory landscape, delivered by the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) This retrospective serves as a powerful reminder of the sector’s progress—and how lessons from the past continue to shape modern best practice. Ultimately, the “Changing for the Better” conference reinforces the importance of continuing professional development, evidence-based practice, and collaborative leadership in addressing increasingly complex water management challenges.
For both members and non-members, WMSoc continues to champion professional excellence through its events, technical guidance, training programmes, and Waterline journal—helping to foster a connected, informed, and forward-thinking water management community.