Chris Short BA BSc DMS CEng MIChemE
water quality consultant

In 2017 Water SIG reached its 30th year and we had a very full year of activities and special initiatives:

In January I gave a webinar on 'Water SIG at 30 - the first and the next 30 years' and developed this into a feature article published in The Chemical Engineer in October.

I led visits to Swansea University School of Engineering and Gowerton wastewater treatment plant in July, and Reading wastewater treatment plant and Fobney water treatment plant in October.

Other achievements in this anniversary year were at least one event every month, presentation of poster prizes at events at Cranfield, Birmingham and Bath Universities, our Young Process Engineer video competition with a first prize of £1000 sponsored by Arup, our 1000th member prize of books sponsored by IWA Publishing, bursaries for students travelling to California, Uganda and Mexico City, the latter two for humanitarian water supply and sanitation projects, and our charity:water appeal to fund BioSand filters for safe drinking water in Cambodia, which so far has raised £1800.

In December I retired from the Water SIG committee, having been on it continuously from its inauguration in 1987, serving as chairman 1990-2000, secretary 2003-2013, and chairman again 2015-2017.

On the paid work front, I provided advice on the failure of a wastewater storage tank, and an assessment of borehole water quality; I helped develop a tender for extensions to a large water treatment plant, and liaised with Degremont concerning the renovation and recommissioning of a set of Pulsator clarifiers.

December 2016

I chaired the morning session of an Aqua Enviro conference on Innovations in Wastewater Treatment, and reported on that and another on Advances in Potable Water Disinfection, in Leeds in March and July 2016 respectively.

In April 2016 I took a large party to Thames Water's Beckton wastewater treatment plant and Gateway water desalination plant, the latter another long-held ambition at last crossed off the bucket list!

December 2015

In June I was elected Chairman of the IChemE Water Special Interest Group. I organised a number of meetings including achieving a long-held ambition to arrange an inspection of water management at the coffee factory at Banbury, taken over by JDE shortly before our visit in October.

October 2014

I acted as process engineering specialist in a team concerned with planning and environmental permissions for a major deep mine project.

I carried out Hazardous Area Assessments for a number of sewage sludge digestion plants.

I attended a CIWEM meeting on Energy in the water industry, Leeds, January 2014.

In 2013 I stepped down as Secretary of the Institution of Chemical Engineers Water Special Interest Group, after 10 years in that post, following 10 years as Chairman. I continued as a committee member and organised a visit to the new enhanced sludge digestion plant at Yorkshire Water's Esholt wastewater treatment works, in July 2014. I also reviewed books on hygiene, corrosion, nanotechnology and natural wastwater treatment for our member newsletter WET News.

I advised on compliance with the tighter standard for lead in drinking water which came into effect on 25 Dec 2013,for a private supply serving a group of Lake District holiday cottages.

October 2012

An assessment was made of the likely impact of a new effluent stream on the performance of a private sewage treatment works in Hampshire.

A preliminary survey was carried out of three private boreholes near Blackburn.

Assessments were made of water samples from properties supplied from a private borehole in Yorkshire and from a property at Ullswater connected to the public supply.

Advice was given on the significance of nitrate detected in a spring source in Cheshire.

I assisted with the commissioning of an industrial water treatment plant in East Yorkshire designed to produce water with less than 1 µS/cm conductivity.

On behalf of the Institution of Chemical Engineers I organised the Water Subject Group’s annual dinner 2011 at Abingdon, following a visit to Didcot power station. I reported on CIWEM conferences on Anaerobic Digestion (London 2011) and Farming and Water (London 2012) for tce (The Chemical Engineer magazine) and WET News. I authored an article in Water and Sewerage Journal September 2011, on chemical engineering developments in wastewater processing.

Again on behalf of the Institution of Chemical Engineers I organised the Water Special Interest Group’s annual dinner 2012 at Cowbridge, Glamorgan, following a visit to Cardiff sewage works sludge digestion plant.

I advised on metered water use and sewer returns for a restaurant in West Yorkshire.

February 2011

A preliminary survey of a spring groundwater source was carried out for a client in North Yorkshire.

Further assistance was given to Pontefract Archaeological Society concerning problems at the Pontefract Hermitage well.

I advised an Egyptian company regarding water quality and health issues for a proposed water treatment product, and a Greek company regarding collaborations and technologies particularly regarding wastewater and sludge digestion.

I obtained a revised licence for a borehole in West Yorkshire to allow a change of use.

In relation to a water services company’s sewage sludge strategy, I undertook site visits and assessments related to the performance of installed and potential thickening, digestion and dewatering processes.

Further work was carried out on behalf of long-standing clients in relation to spring water regulation and licensing, water tankering, maintenance of water treatment plant and trade effluent respectively.

A problem of odour in hot water at a Borrowdale holiday cottage complex was investigated.

On behalf of the Institution of Chemical Engineers I organised the Water Subject Group’s annual dinner at Hyde, Cheshire, which was preceded by visits to United Utilities Arnfield water treatment works and Stockport sewage treatment works. I also reported on CIWEM conferences on Rainwater Harvesting and Grey Water Recycling (Birmingham 2009), AMP5 and Innovation (Gateshead 2010), and Fats Oils and Greases (Leeds 2010) for tce (The Chemical Engineer magazine) and WET News.

July 2009

Natural Mineral Water (NMW) status was achieved for a client’s borehole in the Worth Valley, West Yorkshire.  Preliminary studies of other groundwater sources were carried out for clients in Cheshire and North Yorkshire.

Further Hazardous Area Classification assessments were carried out at a sewage treatment works.

Following the water quality investigations in 2003, a new issue with the Pontefract Hermitage well was investigated on behalf of Pontefract Archaeological Society.

I advised regarding water quality issues in a novel pressurised water boiling device.

I gave a twelve-week course of lectures on water supply and wastewater disposal systems to final year undergraduates at the University of Bradford.

On behalf of the Institution of Chemical Engineers I organised the Water Subject Group’s annual dinner at Bath, which was preceded by a programme of talks and a works visit at Wessex Water. I also reported on the CIWEM conference on Water Conservation, London in March for tce (The Chemical Engineer magazine) and WET News.

August 2008

Natural Mineral Water (NMW) status was achieved for a client’s borehole in lower Wharfedale, West Yorkshire. 

A further contract for Hazardous Atmosphere Classification was undertaken, this time at number of sewage pumping stations.

On behalf of the Institution of Chemical Engineers I organised the Water Subject Group’s annual dinner at Warwick preceded by a workshop to develop the Institution’s Technical Strategy Action Plan for water. I also reported on the CIWEM conferences Drinking Water Quality for PR09, London in March and The Sewer Network: Preventing, Remedying and Handling Abuse, Leeds in July for tce (The Chemical Engineer magazine) and WET News.

September 2007

I again lectured in water treatment processes for Develop.

Further clients engaged me to advise on and progress water bottling plans for their sources.

I am advising a technical innovation company on the disposal of a proposed aqueous effluent to sewer.

I am assisting a major consulting engineering company with Hazardous Area Classification at a number of sewage treatment works.

At the invitation of the Institution of Chemical Engineers I chaired the session on Water at the Global Forum in London in May and introduced the Institution’s Technical Strategy for Water. I also presented the Water Awards at the Awards Dinner at the Banqueting Hall, London in 2006, and the George Solt Prize at Cranfield University Graduation Day, 2007.

September 2006

When considering the analysis of a water sample it is advisable to check the ion balance. Diagrammatic representation also helps understanding of the constitution of the water in terms of inorganic salts. My new web-based Ion Balance Calculator does this for you. Visit the Ion Balance Calculator.

At the invitation of the Libyan Ministry for Further Education, UNESCO assisted the development of curricular materials. In July I joined the team at a 7-day workshop in Tripoli as consultant for water and wastewater treatment and water analysis.

New draft regulations and important draft guidance on bottled water were published in 2006 for consultation, in which I participated. I continued to advise and assist Harrogate Spa Water and several other clients concerned with bottling water. 

At the invitation of the Institution of Chemical Engineers I championed the Water theme on the Technical Strategy Roadmap Group, coordinating the development of Institution’s policies on water issues.

April 2006

I carried out assignments for the training company Develop, including delivery of courses on water treatment process design and on water quality for drinking water samplers.

I continued to advise Harrogate Spa Water Ltd http://www.harrogatespawater.com regarding the exploitation of their source as a spring water, and the impact of the new regulations regarding treatment of both spring water and natural mineral water.

I again lectured on the implementation of drinking water quality regulations, and the process implications, to MSc students at Cranfield University.

As secretary of the Water Subject Group of the Institution of Chemical Engineers, I arranged visits to Reading STW (2005) and Clay Lane WTW (2006) in each case followed by the AGM and dinner, and attended the Institution of Chemical Engineers Assembly. On behalf of the Group I presented the Water Awards at the Institution’s Annual Awards Dinner 2005. I attended CIWEM conferences on Risk Assessment (Edinburgh, 2004) and Swimming Pool water treatment (Manchester, 2005); and the EPSRC/Cranfield University conference on Developments in Water Treatment (2005) – see reports, and a number of book reviews, in the Water Subject Group’s newsletter WET News, tce (The Chemical Engineer) and WEM (Water and Environment Magazine).

November 2004

As the new regulations and guidance concerning materials in contact with water for public supply came into effect, I gave a series of training courses and workshops for a UK engineering consultancy and project management organisation.

I carried out a number of assignments as an associate of WTi, including assessment of training needs, development of course materials, and delivery of courses on water treatment process design, process awareness, disinfection, and factors affecting drinking water quality.  

I continued to advise Harrogate Spa Water Ltd http://www.harrogatespawater.com regarding the exploitation of their source as a spring water, and the impact of the new regulations regarding treatment of both spring water and natural mineral water.

I again lectured on the implementation of drinking water quality regulations, and the process implications, to MSc students at Cranfield University.

As the representative of the Water Subject Group of the Institution of Chemical Engineers, I was a guest of the North-West and North Wales Section of the Chartered Institution of Water and Environmental Management at their annual dinner. On behalf of the Water Subject Group I arranged visits to Birds Eye Walls and to Mythe water treatment works followed by the AGM and dinner, and attended the Institution of Chemical Engineers Assembly.

I attended the CIWEM conference on the Water Framework Directive: Integrating Approaches to Diffuse Pollution on behalf of the Institution of Chemical Engineers. A full report appears in the Water Subject Group’s newsletter WET News.

I attended the 11^th  Encontro Nacional de Saneamento Básico at the University of the Algarve, Faro, Portugal, at the invitation of the organisers to present a paper on Economic Regulation of Water Services in England and Wales. Read about it at  Faro confererence.

November 2003

I continued to advise Harrogate Spa Water Ltd http://www.harrogatespawater.com regarding the exploitation of their source as a spring water, and led their application for recognition of the source as a natural mineral water.

An unusual assignment involved reporting to Pontefract Archaeological Society on the quality of water in a well constructed by the medieval occupants of the Pontefract Hermitage. I and the Society were grateful to Alcontrol Ltd for kindly undertaking the analysis free of charge.

I again lectured on water regulation and process implications to MSc students at Cranfield University and contracting engineers at WTI York. I also assisted WTI with updating course materials.

I took over the post of Secretary of the Water Subject Group of the Institution of Chemical Engineers when Richard Hill resigned because of his increasing commitments elsewhere in the Institution. Also on behalf of the Water Subject Group I participated in the IChemE’s Assembly at UMIST, attended the annual IChemE Awards to present the Water prize, and authored the IChemE’s response to the third government consultation on the implementation of the Water Framework Directive. 

To maintain awareness I attended meetings on AMP4 Technologies for Water Treatment, Getting the Most out of Your Membranes, AMP4 Technologies for Wastewater Treatment, and Water Competition.

May 2003

Since summer 2002 I completed assignments for EarthTech, Parkman and Yorkshire Water concerning the use of stainless steel in contact with water, water treatment sludge disposal and a strategic review of a regional water supply scheme.

I continue to advise Harrogate Spa Water Ltd http://www.harrogatespawater.com regarding the exploitation of a borehole water, and participated in the government’s consultation on the proposed new EC Directive on natural mineral water and spring water. Also related to private supplies I advised a householder on the response to a bacteriological failure in his spring supply.

For the Institution of Chemical Engineers I created an auto-booting CDROM containing a searchable archive of WET News, the Water Subject Group newsletter. This has now been made available to Water SG members at http://www.icheme.org/enetwork/MainFrameset.asp . Here you can also find the Institution’s response, which I authored, to the second government consultation on transposition of the Water Framework Directive. I was also pleased to organise the Group’s visit to CCSB at Wakefield and Yorkshire Water’s Kirkhamgate works to see the water supply and effluent treatment treatment arrangements for this huge soft drinks factory.

I lectured on water regulation and process implications to MSc students at Cranfield University and contracting engineers at WTI York.

To maintain awareness I attended meetings on the Technical aspects of the Water Framework Directive, Management of Wastes from Drinking Water Treatment, the Altrincham targeted lead pipe replacement study, and water and sewage treatment for Saffron Walden.

I contributed articles to Water and Environmental Manager (Oct 2002), Water and Sewerage Journal (Issue 3 2002) and WET News (all issues), and book reviews to The Chemical Engineer (Aug 2002), Water and Environmental Management (Nov 2002) and WET News (Feb 2003). 

June 2002

Since March I have been advising Harrogate Spa Water Ltd regarding the exploitation of a borehole water. This incidentally has involved several visits to the famous Sulphur Well in the Royal Pump Room museum where I cast caution to the winds and drank the water on each occasion.

On behalf of the IChemE Water Subject Group I selected this year's winner of the Cranfield University MSc thesis prize. This went to Ingunn Lindemann and I attended the Graduation Ceremony on 12 June to present her with the £150 award. Claudio Nazareno was awarded £75 as a special runner-up prize.

For the Aqua Enviro organisation I put together a course on Materials in Contact with Drinking Water, covering the regulations, recent developments and forthcoming changes. This was held in Leeds on 19 June.

Having completed a strategic study for Yorkshire Water in March, I am now assisting them with its implementation.

I contributed a number of articles to The Chemical Engineer, Water and Sewerage Journal and WET News ( the Water Subject Group newsletter ), and book reviews in Water and Environmental Management. Further articles for these periodicals and Water and Environmental Manager are awaiting publication.

October 2001

In October I addressed full- and part-time MSc students at Cranfield University's School of Water Sciences on "Water Quality Regulation - an independent perspective". Through a series of case studies the students appreciated how the regulations relating to water treatment are applied in practice, embracing considerations of good practice and due diligence.

I began new process engineering projects for EarthTech Engineering and a strategic study for Yorkshire Water Services.

Also in October I attended a workshop on European Water Directives in Barcelona, Spain organised by ADECAGUA. My presentation on "Implementation of the Drinking Water Directive in UK" highlighted the ways in which the UK regulations exceeded or interpreted the requirements of the Directive. The Directive has not yet been transposed in Spain.

Click here to read my report of the ADECAGUA conference.

June 2001

My latest website development is a two-part multiple choice quiz on water quality-related regulations. Accept the challenge and see how well you know, or can find your way around, the regs.

Click here to visit the Regulatory Quiz.

May 2001

Purchasers of washing machines and dishwashers often need to know the hardness of the water supply and the instructions may use a variety of units. I have developed a Converter utility on a web page to enable users to convert from one unit to another easily.

Click here to visit the Water Hardness Converter.

There are many situations when it is necessary to assess whether a water is likely to form calcium carbonate scale or alternatively to dissolve it - for instance for a given water what will happen if the pH or temperature is changed? What will be the effect of softening? I have developed an Assessment utility on a web page to enable users to assess the stability of a water of a given pH, temperature, calcium hardness, and alkalinity.

Click here to visit the Calcium Carbonate Stability Assessment.

NB Internet Explorer 4+ users will have a slightly more interesting experience than Netscape 4 users. Other browsers have not been tested.
 

Jan 2001

New Water Quality Regulations for England were published in December 2000. Similar regulations will be introduced for Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland and amendments will also be required to the regulations regarding private supplies and water in containers.

From 1 January 2001, the Water Supply ( Water Quality ) Regulations 2000 update the requirements for cryptosporidium risk assessment, and introduce requirements for monitoring additional parameters and submitting programmes of work to meet new standards by the end of 2003.

I offer awareness/training sessions and materials tailored to your requirements including where appropriate scenario-based exercises and competence assessments.

Written commentaries on the new regulations ( differences from the previous regulations and from the consultation draft, issues arising etc ) are available - the full version at £750.
 

[Return to consultancy page]   [My CV]  [Visit the Village Pump for links]  [Return to Site Map]