Caley Water at the CIWEM Urban Drainage Group Annual Conference 2025
Last week, the Caley Water team travelled to Birmingham to attend the CIWEM Urban Drainage Group (UDG) Annual Conference & Exhibition, one of the key annual gatherings for professionals involved in urban drainage, wastewater modelling, stormwater management, and environmental engineering. The event brought together hundreds of specialists from across the UK to exchange ideas, explore new technologies, and discuss the challenges and opportunities shaping the sector.
A Look at the CIWEM Urban Drainage Conference
The three-day conference offered an extensive programme of presentations, panel discussions, and technical sessions. Topics ranged from sustainable drainage systems (SuDS) and nature-based solutions to the latest developments in hydraulic modelling, asset management, and overflow discharge strategies. With climate change increasing the pressure on ageing drainage networks, the conference placed strong emphasis on resilient, future-proof approaches to water infrastructure.
The event also highlighted CIWEM UDG’s ongoing mission to support innovation, elevate professional standards, and promote collaboration across the industry. Delegates had the chance to hear from industry leaders, researchers, and engineers who are driving advancements in modelling tools, monitoring technologies, regulatory compliance, and integrated water management.
Complementing the talks was a lively exhibition space where companies showcased new software, instrumentation, and engineering solutions. For many attendees, the conference served as an invaluable opportunity to network, build relationships, and catch up with peers and clients from across the sector.
Caley Water’s Experience and Key Insights
For Caley Water, attending the CIWEM UDG Conference was both inspiring and productive. As an Edinburgh-based environmental engineering consultancy specialising in hydraulic modelling, drainage strategy, and sustainable water solutions, the themes discussed throughout the event closely aligned with our day-to-day work.
Our team particularly valued the sessions focused on data-rich modelling and nature-based drainage interventions—areas where we are increasingly supporting clients to deliver robust and environmentally responsible designs. Hearing real-world case studies and practical lessons from other practitioners reinforced our commitment to continuous improvement and innovation.
Beyond the technical content, the conference also offered an excellent chance to reconnect with long-standing clients. With many of our projects involving close collaboration with water companies, local authorities, and engineering partners, the ability to meet face-to-face remains invaluable. These discussions allowed us to explore upcoming projects, share insights from current work, and strengthen relationships that underpin successful delivery.
Meeting new industry colleagues was equally rewarding. Conversations with fellow environmental specialists and engineers helped us identify potential opportunities for future partnerships and cross-disciplinary collaboration. It was clear that the sector is moving toward more integrated, sustainable, and adaptive approaches—and Caley Water is excited to be part of that movement.
Looking Ahead for Caley Water
The CIWEM UDG Annual Conference reaffirmed why ongoing professional engagement is so important for our team. The challenges facing the water environment—climate resilience, flood risk, storm overflow management, infrastructure upgrades, and evolving regulations—require both innovative thinking and collective effort.
Returning to Edinburgh, we are energised by the ideas, discussions, and connections made during the conference. The insights gained will directly influence our upcoming work and help us continue delivering high-quality, sustainable engineering solutions for our clients.
At Caley Water, we remain committed to staying at the forefront of industry developments and contributing positively to the future of the UK’s water environment. Attending CIWEM UDG 2025 was a valuable part of that journey, and we look forward to applying what we’ve learned in the months ahead.
If you’d like to discuss an upcoming project or learn more about how we can assist with your urban drainage or environmental engineering needs, we’d be delighted to hear from you.