Wilo UK/Environment Agency collaboration
wins major industry award

Wilo UK – a leading manufacturer of water pumps and pump systems – and the Environment Agency have won the Environmental Contribution of the Year accolade at the 2020/21 Pump Industry Awards. Wilo and the Environment Agency (EA) were recognised for their collaboration on the innovative River Severn Water Management Scheme.

The Environmental Contribution of the Year award celebrates the pump product, system or service that has made a significant contribution to environmental issues, such as energy savings, emissions control, noise reduction or life cycle costs.

The project that earned the major industry honour involved Wilo UK working with the EA to protect and enhance the UK countryside. Their collaboration has helped to manage the River Severn – and protect rare and endangered wildlife.

Wilo was tasked with rectifying issues caused by previous poor water management, which had negatively impacted water levels on the River Severn. Excessive raw water extraction and dry periods, followed by high rainfall and run-off water, had led to extreme highs and lows. And this ineffective river management had also damaged the biodiversity.

Wilo designed and supplied borehole pumps, which use new engineered materials that can withstand environmental wear and are able to control water depth and quality. With low energy usage and low operating costs, the water level control allows species under stress, such as water voles and trout, to flourish within a stable, managed environment.

Lee Tebbatt, Managing Director of Wilo UK, says: “We’re honoured to receive this important industry award for our work with the Environment Agency on a project that has brought lasting improvements to the River Severn. By maintaining the water levels, the scheme is helping to protect water voles, rainbow trout and kingfishers, which all live on the river and depend on it for their existence.

“Wetland habitats like the one around the River Severn are crucial and must be conserved. They teem with biodiversity and provide homes for many endangered species.

“We’ll continue working towards our mission to develop user-friendly, energy-efficient, high-performance products and services that benefit people, organisations and the environment.”

As a leading premium provider of pumps and pump systems for building services, water management and industry, Wilo is an international leader in the field. With its UK headquarters in Burton, Staffordshire, the company works to invent and manage responsible water solutions.

The Pump Industry Awards (PIA) is recognised as one of the leading award ceremonies within the industrial arena. Founded by the British Pump Manufacturers’ Association (BPMA) in 2000, the awards programme celebrates the achievements of pump companies and individuals who strive to go the extra mile.

The annual gala PIA dinner was hosted this month by broadcaster and TV presenter, Philippa Forrester, at the Chesford Grange Hotel, in Kenilworth, Warwickshire. The event had been postponed several times because of the Covid-19 pandemic.

For more information on Wilo UK, please visit: wilo.com/gb/en