The world’s soils face a wide range of threats that could undermine the very basis to our current way of life. Recently Europe has seen flooding that dramatically and tragically demonstrates how such threats can impact on people’s lives and property. Poor management of soils can exacerbate flooding and other soil threats.

In recognition of the pressing importance of threats to soils the United Nations has designated 2015 as the ‘International Year of Soils’ to bring to public attention the wide variety of threats to soil and the consequences that these can have on all of our lives. This year is being launched on World Soil Day on the 5th of December 2014.

Running over 2 days in early November, WWEM 2014 was an outstanding success, with sustained growth in every event since the first WWEM in 2005. “In comparison with the last WWEM in 2012, visitor numbers were up by 15% and even though the size of the exhibition was increased by 12% we were still unable to accommodate several potential exhibitors,” reports organiser Marcus Pattison.

WWEM 2014 focused on Water, Wastewater and Environmental Monitoring, and is comprised of a wide range of activities that are designed to update and inform anyone in the water sector with a professional interest in testing and monitoring. “WWEM 2014 was different,” explains Marcus Pattison, “previous WWEM eventshave included Conferences, Workshops and an Exhibition, but this year’s show also included a number of specialist forums, seminars and a demonstration area, and I believe that this is the major reason for the event’s continued growth. 30% of the exhibitors were so pleased that they re-booked during the show and it is clear that there will be an influx of new exhibitors from those companies that visited WWEM 2014 as delegates.”

As part of Resilience14's Britain under Water conference programme, the Prince's Foundation for Building Community will be highlighting how SuDS can be a practical and effective element when mitigating flood risk in urban developments.

The organisers of WWEM 2014, the Water Wastewater & Environmental Monitoring event (Telford, 5/6th November 2014), have announced that this year’s show will again feature a Gas Detection Zone following the popularity of this section at previous WWEM events.

The Council of Gas Detection and Environmental Monitoring (CoGDEM) is helping to organise the gas detection zone which will focus on new technology and products to detect hazards such as exposure to low oxygen levels in confined spaces and to toxic and flammable gases in the workplace.