The Environmental Services & Solutions Expo (ESS Expo) is set to return to the NEC Birmingham on 17–18 September 2025, positioning itself as the UK’s premier event for environmental services and sustainability. This year’s edition promises to be a powerhouse of innovation and collaboration, bringing together over 15,000 visitors and seven co-located events. Among these, the Water, Wastewater & Environmental Management Expo (WWEM Expo) stands out, expanded and ready to tackle the pressing issues of water management and security.
WWEM Expo 2025 is poised to offer a holistic view of integrated water management, serving as a crucial forum to address wastewater challenges and climate resilience. With 150 suppliers showcasing cutting-edge solutions, the event will explore how to unlock the investment needed to drive forward these critical advancements. Leading companies like CSignum, Xylem Water Solutions UK, Solsta, and Teledyne ISCO Water will present the latest in water monitoring technologies, including wireless communication systems, IoT-enabled sensors, and integrated automation platforms. These innovations are designed to meet increasing regulatory demands, such as Section 82 monitoring requirements and the UK Environment Act 2021, by delivering reliable data transmission, remote access, and streamlined infrastructure management.
The focus on digitalisation is evident, with exhibitors like IDEXX Water, Lovibond Water Testing, and Hach showcasing a range of laboratory and field-testing instruments. IDEXX’s Tecta® system, for instance, offers rapid detection of total coliforms and E. coli without traditional lab access, while Lovibond’s new MD50 photometers provide compact and robust devices for key field measurements. Hach’s EZ Series Online Analyzers complement these solutions, serving both rapid onsite analysis and comprehensive lab-based water quality assessments.
Increasing wastewater treatment efficiency, sustainability, and resilience are at the forefront of the exhibition. Companies like ATAC Solutions, StormHarvester, and CellX Biosolutions will highlight innovative technologies designed to improve wastewater treatment systems. ATAC Solutions will feature compact, energy-efficient treatment technologies such as Submerged Aerated Filters (SAF) and Moving Bed Biofilm Reactors (MBBR), tailored for complex municipal and industrial applications. StormHarvester brings AI-powered analytics to predict flows and prevent flooding and pollution in wastewater networks, while CellX Biosolutions focuses on bacteriological solutions to tackle emerging contaminants like PFAS.
A new addition to the WWEM Expo, SuDS Live, offers a dedicated platform to explore the future of sustainable drainage systems (SuDS) and their role in building climate-resilient infrastructure. This area will bring together experts and innovators to showcase pioneering technologies and practical solutions for managing surface water sustainably. Visitors can experience live demonstrations and product showcases, while the SuDS Live Theatre, powered by CIRIA, will host visionary talks from industry leaders, providing insight into best practices, regulatory drivers, and the transformative potential of SuDS in urban water management.
Alongside the exhibition, a dedicated conference programme will bring together stakeholders from across the water and wastewater industry. Designed to address the industry’s most urgent challenges, the agenda offers insights into regulatory developments, emerging technologies, and best practices in managing water resources under increasing environmental pressures. The full WWEM speaker programme will be announced in the coming weeks.
The newly released National Environmental Services Survey (NES) highlights the growing concern within the sector about the impacts of climate change and resource pressures. Over half of the surveyed industry professionals have felt that the impact of drought on water resource management and sustainability is highly significant. As well as this, over 98% have felt that the impact of climate change on water resources management in the next decade will be significant. These results underscore the urgent need for innovation, collaboration, and investment to build a resilient water management framework capable of addressing these critical challenges.
Rob Mowat, Managing Director of ESS Expo, emphasised the importance of addressing water security and sustainable water resource management. “Water security and sustainable water resource management are fast becoming defining challenges for the UK’s environmental sector. Tackling these issues demands innovation, investment, and, most importantly, collaboration across industries and policy. At ESS Expo 2025, we’re bringing together critical environmental sectors under one roof. This includes the newly expanded Water, Wastewater & Environmental Management Expo, which will lead the conversation on building climate-resilient water systems and unlocking the technologies needed for a sustainable future. Together, leaders, innovators, and decision-makers will help shape the UK’s path towards net zero, environmental protection, and a more secure water future.”
The ESS Expo 2025 is not just an event; it is a catalyst for change in the water and environmental sectors. By bringing together diverse stakeholders, showcasing cutting-edge