Water & Wastewater Monitoring
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Best Water Quality Monitoring Project
Awarded to a project that has delivered measurable improvements in surface water, groundwater, or drinking water quality through effective monitoring and measurement.
Example project types:
River and catchment monitoring, groundwater protection, drinking water quality assessments, nutrient or chemical trend analysis.Judged on:
- Clarity of monitoring objectives and approach
- Quality, accuracy, and robustness of measurement data
- Evidence of improved water quality or understanding
- How monitoring informed decisions or actions
- Environmental and stakeholder impact
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Excellence in Wastewater Monitoring & Control
Recognising a project that has improved wastewater treatment performance, environmental outcomes, or compliance through advanced monitoring.
Example project types:
Treatment works optimisation, CSO monitoring, trade effluent monitoring, compliance improvement projects.Judged on:
- Effective use of monitoring to improve performance
- Data quality and reliability
- Demonstrable operational or environmental improvements
- Innovation in monitoring or control strategies
- Regulatory and compliance outcomes
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Real-Time Monitoring & Control Project of the Year
Awarded to a project that has implemented real-time or near-real-time monitoring to enable rapid decision-making and operational control.
Example project types:
Telemetry networks, early-warning systems, automated control linked to live data.Judged on:
- Effectiveness of real-time data capture
- Integration of monitoring with operational response
- Reliability and resilience of systems
- Tangible benefits from faster decision-making
- Scalability and long-term value
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Smart Data, Digital Twins & Analytics in Water Projects
Recognising outstanding use of data analytics, modelling, AI, or digital twins to interpret monitoring data and improve outcomes.
Example project types:
Predictive modelling, AI-driven optimisation, digital twins informed by monitoring data.Judged on:
- Intelligent use of monitoring data
- Innovation in analytics or modelling
- Evidence of better decisions or predictions
- Clarity of insights for end users
- Measurable operational or environmental benefits
Land, Soil & Geoenvironmental Measurement
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Best Land & Soil Investigation Project
Awarded to a project demonstrating excellence in site investigation, soil sampling, testing, and interpretation.
Example project types:
Phase II site investigations, ground investigations, brownfield redevelopment projects.Judged on:
- Appropriateness of investigation design
- Quality and representativeness of sampling and testing
- Robust interpretation of results
- Value of findings to the client or project
- Support provided to development or remediation decisions
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Excellence in Contaminated Land Assessment
Recognising a project that has effectively identified, quantified, and assessed contamination risks using robust measurement.
Example project types:
Risk assessments, contamination delineation, remediation planning and verification.Judged on:
- Depth and accuracy of contamination assessment
- Use of measurement data to reduce uncertainty
- Clear linkage to risk management decisions
- Regulatory confidence and defensibility
- Outcomes for land reuse or protection
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Innovative Measurement Techniques in Geoenvironmental Projects
Celebrating projects that apply innovative or advanced measurement techniques to subsurface or contamination challenges.
Example project types:
Passive sampling, in-situ testing, geophysics, high-resolution site characterisation.Judged on:
- Novelty and appropriateness of techniques used
- Improvement over traditional approaches
- Data quality and insight gained
- Practical application and reliability
- Potential for wider industry adoption
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Best Groundwater Monitoring & Assessment Project
Awarded to projects delivering high-quality groundwater monitoring and assessment in complex settings.
Example project types:
Long-term monitoring, plume tracking, hydrogeological modelling.Judged on:
- Sound hydrogeological understanding
- Monitoring design and execution
- Quality and interpretation of data
- Influence on risk management or remediation
- Long-term environmental protection benefits
Air, Emissions & Cross-Media Monitoring
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Best Air Quality Monitoring Project
Recognising projects that have used monitoring and measurement to improve air quality management or reduce exposure.
Example project types:
Urban air quality monitoring, construction dust monitoring, community exposure studies.Judged on:
- Appropriateness of monitoring methods
- Data quality and transparency
- Evidence of improved air quality or understanding
- Engagement with stakeholders or communities
- Practical outcomes from the monitoring
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Industrial Emissions Monitoring & Compliance Project
Awarded to projects that have effectively measured and managed industrial emissions.
Example project types:
CEMS deployment, permit compliance monitoring, emissions reduction programmes.Judged on:
- Accuracy and reliability of emissions measurement
- Contribution to compliance and reporting
- Evidence of emissions reduction or control
- Integration with operational processes
- Regulatory confidence and assurance
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Smart Data & Analytics in Air Quality Projects
Recognising projects that have used data analytics, modelling, AI, or digital platforms to interpret air quality monitoring data and support better decisions.
Example project types:
Air quality modelling and forecasting, sensor network analytics, AI-based exposure assessment, data platforms supporting air quality action plans.Judged on:
- Effective use of air quality monitoring data
- Innovation in analytics, modelling, or digital tools
- Clarity and accessibility of outputs
- Evidence of improved decision-making or insight
Innovation, Technology & Measurement Excellence
(open to all sectors within environmental monitoring & measurement)
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Innovative Sensor or Instrumentation Deployment
Celebrating projects that successfully deploy new or emerging sensors or instrumentation in real-world environments.
Example project types:
Novel sensor pilots, first-of-kind deployments, multi-parameter networks.Judged on:
- Innovation and technical merit
- Performance in real-world conditions
- Data quality and usability
- Benefits compared to existing solutions
- Potential for scale or replication
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Laboratory Excellence in Environmental Measurement
Recognising outstanding laboratory-based measurement supporting environmental monitoring and compliance.
Example project types:
High-quality analytical support, specialist testing, method development.Judged on:
- Analytical quality and accuracy
- Method robustness and validation
- Turnaround times and reliability
- Contribution to successful project outcomes
- Continuous improvement or innovation
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Integrated Monitoring Across Water, Land & Air
Awarded to projects demonstrating excellence in integrating monitoring across multiple environmental media.
Example project types:
Infrastructure projects, regeneration schemes, complex industrial sites.Judged on:
- Effectiveness of integrated monitoring strategy
- Consistency and compatibility of datasets
- Holistic understanding achieved
- Decision-making supported by integration
- Environmental and project-wide benefits
Clients, Outcomes & Impact
(open to all sectors within environmental monitoring & measurement)
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Client-Led Environmental Monitoring Project
Recognising projects entered by clients or asset owners demonstrating leadership in commissioning and using monitoring.
Example project types:
Utility-led programmes, developer-led investigations, public sector initiatives.Judged on:
- Client leadership and vision
- Effective use of monitoring to drive outcomes
- Collaboration with suppliers and stakeholders
- Measurable environmental or operational benefits
- Transferable learning for others
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Regulatory Compliance & Assurance Project
Awarded to projects that exceed regulatory requirements through robust monitoring and defensible measurement.
Example project types:
Permit compliance, verification monitoring, regulatory approval support.Judged on:
- Strength and transparency of monitoring approach
- Quality and traceability of measurement data
- Regulatory confidence and assurance provided
- Risk reduction achieved
- Best practice demonstrated
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Environmental Monitoring & Measurement Project of the Year (Not Open for Direct Entry)
Recognising the standout project of 2026 demonstrating excellence across monitoring, measurement, collaboration, and impact.
Example project types:
Nationally significant projects, multi-partner programmes, flagship initiatives.Judged on:
- Overall excellence in monitoring and measurement
- Scale and significance of impact
- Innovation balanced with practical delivery
- Collaboration and leadership
- Lasting environmental, social, or industry benefits
