The Water Equipment Show returned for its biggest event ever this May, with a record-breaking 2000 UK water industry professionals in attendance, a jam-packed agenda of over 35 keynote speakers and 150+ exhibitors sharing the latest innovations and technologies from across the sector. WES 2025 was another record breaking year and a resounding success, thank you to everyone who attended, exhibited and sponsored.
The theme of this year’s event was “AMP8: Challenges and Opportunities in the Water Industry”, which drew focus to the critical juncture faced by the UK water industry. Set to be one of the most demanding Ofwat determinations to date, it was fantastic to engage with insightful presentations and knowledge sharing opportunities to find innovative ways to drive the sector forward over the coming five year AMP period.
Throughout the day across the five breakout rooms, presentations from leading figures in the water industry took place, providing valuable opportunities to discuss AMP8, as well as pump maintenance, new technologies which have the potential to revolutionise water and wastewater processes, and one of the industry’s leading projects, Water Industry Mechanical and Electrical Specifications (WIMES).
A fantastic new element for the Water Equipment Show was a range of insightful panel discussions led by industry experts. One such discussion focussed on the pressing issue of AMP8, highlighting the challenges which the water industry will face as a result of its commencement and potential approaches to meet its guidance. A new session focussing on WIMES gave a comprehensive overview of the datasheets, their practical applications and the advantages of using them in the water industry. With the opportunities presented within AMP8 to standardise processes across the sector, broadening awareness of the efficiency and usefulness of WIMES datasheets have the potential to streamline operations to aid in meeting the period’s ambitious targets.
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An element of friendly competition was also introduced into the event’s proceedings with the Pump Operations Challenge. Pump Centre members and water industry professionals were given the opportunity to showcase their team’s pump engineering and maintenance skills in a simulation of the real-world challenges engineers face in the operation and maintenance of pump assets. Companies from across the water industry demonstrated their engineering expertise, battling it out to be crowned the first ever champions of the Pump Operations Challenge. Workdry excelled on the day to gain the highest score and lift the Pump Operations Challenge trophy.
The annual conference dinner for 2025 featured guest speakers as the evening’s entertainment: Olympic silver medalist, former professional badminton player, and advocate for women in sport, Gail Emms MBE, and six-time World Champion snooker player and former World number one ranked player, Steve Davis, shared insights into their lives and careers as one of the best sportspeople in their respective fields.
The dinner also raised funds for Lancashire TAAG, a dedicated charity providing support, activities and community for neurodiverse children and their families across Lancashire. Thanks to the generous donations from the evening’s guests, we’re proud to say that WES2025 raised an incredible £5,437.27 for the benefit of this worthy cause.
Plans are already taking place for next year’s Water Equipment Show, with the annual dinner taking place on Wednesday 13th May and the show on Thursday 14th May at the Telford International Centre.
John Howarth, Director of The Pump Centre, said:
“With 2025 being my final Water Equipment Show before retirement, I had hoped it would be one to remember - and I’m very pleased to report that WES2025 has continued the success of previous years to be the largest event thus far. Pump Centre members came together to collaborate and innovate, driving the industry forward with solution-orientated discussions to meet the challenges of AMP8 head-on. I know that WES2026 will further the goals of the water industry under the leadership and guidance of Technical Director, Cliff Marriner.”
Exhibition spaces, sponsorship packages, and presentation opportunities are filling up fast, so it is important to contact the Pump Centre as soon as possible to secure your space at WES2026!
We look forward to welcoming you once again to the Water Equipment Show in 2026.
