Pictured above is Karl Zimmerer accepting the WSOG presidency from outgoing president Patrick Buckley
Uisce Éireann called on to implement commercial model to leverage expertise
The Water Services Operators Group (WSOG) has elected its new president.
WSOG members elected Glanua Group Managing Director Karl Zimmerer as the group’s new president in a handover ceremony at its latest governance meeting.
He takes over from outgoing president Patrick Buckley, EPS Group’s Managing Director.
“I am honoured to take on the role of President of WSOG,” Karl said. “I look forward to building on the strong foundation laid by Patrick and working closely with our members to continue driving operation and maintenance excellence in the water services sector.
“Our proactive engagement with Uisce Éireann and commitment to industry standards will remain at the forefront of our efforts.”
One of the main challenges on the minds of WSOG members is the current uncertainty with and cuts to Uisce Éireann’s capital allocations which will impact housing, FDI and lead to regional job losses.
Given how members had geared up their business to support Uisce Éireann’s investment plans, the lack of clarity is disappointing and forcing members to reallocate resources to other commercial areas with more certainty around workflows.
The members also bring over 150 years of combined experience of operating complex water and waste-water treatment facilities on behalf of Uisce Éireann.
The experience and technical knowledge built up over the last quarter of a century by the WSOG members will be essential to supporting and resourcing Uisce Éireann’s transition plans to enable the safe operation of facilities in accordance with EPA parameters into the future.
WSOG members are calling on Uisce Éireann to take a pragmatic approach on the selection of operational periods on new and existing facilities and to put in place a commercial model that can leverage the WSOG expertise to help delivery on their objectives.
WSOG members (l-r): Odran Madden, Coffey Group; Conor Rish, Celtic Anglican Water; Neil Ronan, Ward and Burke; Andrew Young, Glanua; Patrick Buckley, EPS; Karl Zimmerer, Glanua; Barry O’Toole, EPS; Eoghan Colgan, Coffey Group and Paul Sheridan, CIF Director of Main Contracting
WSOG represents members of the Civil Engineering Contractors Association (CECA) and the CIF who specialise in the operation and maintenance of water treatment and wastewater treatment plants in Ireland.
Outside of international business activities, WSOG members operate over 150 wastewater treatment plants and 200 water treatment plants, representing over 10 per cent and 25 per cent of all plants in Ireland, respectively.
Employing over 600 direct employees, over 750 indirect employees and supporting over 500 employees in their supply chains, they also participate in the design and construction of these plants.
WSOG plays an active role in promoting industry standards and supporting the welfare and interests of their members.
More information and the list of WSOG group members can be found on www.cif.ie/association/water-services-operators-group/
