Technological Leaders In Sustainability

Executive Global: Why is it more important now more than ever, for companies to have effective environmental monitoring and measurement solutions in place? 

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Edward Keating: As our populations, industries and need for goods and services increases it is critical now more than ever to consider what we dispose of, what pollutants we create and how we keep our surroundings clean, tidy, pure and life-giving. It is so important in this age of the expansion of industrialisation at a global level, that we protect the world from which we take the resources to live.
 

EG: What are the challenges associated with wastewater treatment plant optimisation, and coagulant dose control for drinking water optimisation? 

EK: Wastewater treatment is a complicated process with many inputs, the treatment itself involves chemical additives, pH adjustments and biological processes, combined with a well-designed mechanical plant. Many times, with population increase, personnel changes and equipment deterioration, the wastewater treatment plant is run on a day-by-day basis by an experienced operator, and once this operator retires- there is a knowledge gap. This combined with the topography and population dispersion, means there are numerous deigns and types of treatment plants in place, and no ‘one fix for all’ approach exists.
 

EG: What fundamental elements would you say set apart Concept Solutions as ‘the gold standard for environmental monitoring’ in ways that competitors cannot emulate? 

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EK: The key main and specific reasons that a client should look to Concept Solutions are as follows:

1) We have the Experience - 35 years in Industrial Instrumentation with varied experience.
 

2) Having worked with companies like Hach (formerly Hach Lange), who are an icon amongst manufacturers of water and wastewater measurement equipment.
 

3) Application of knowledge is key, combined with a passion for continuous learning. At Concept Solutions, we want to offer you a solution based on real-time measurement equipment, suitable for your application, and with a positive outcome for our client and the environment.
 

4) We take a personal interest in this outcome, and work tirelessly to over come any unforeseen challenges.
 

5) We embrace AI and Cloud Data provisions to turn complicated big data into valuable information; we bring this direct to our client’s desk via our cloud-based data management systems.

EG: What are some of the innovative technologies you possess that organisations should be aware of, which can significantly mitigate pollution and help them reduce their carbon footprint? 

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EK: We embrace the use of technology, including UV/VIS technology and multiple wavelength technology, Ion Selective Technology and Virtual sensor technology. Combining these tools, with skills developed over many years and combined with the correct application of knowledge and experience, we can generate the correct data to build the required control needed to ensure a treatment plant runs efficiently, and produces savings in both energy and chemicals, while often producing a capacity increase of approximately 30%.
 

EG: Tell us more about the critical importance of building a knowledge-based organisation in this industry, and how it positively impacts results? 

EK: Building a knowledge-based organisation is a key to pioneering systems for optimisation, while innovating within an organisation. One has to have a passion for learning and progression. This passion should be core attribute of the business, and we encourage staff to embrace further training that will help them expand upon their experience, enhance their work, or professionally develop themselves.

EG: As an award-winning firm, what have you learned about the significance and benefit of providing sustainable solutions to better serve our environment and world? 

EK: Business can be a roller coaster of challenges, disasters, good times and tears. It is a fantastic privilege to be able to develop intellectual products integrated with real hardware, and deliver them to clients for a fee. While this is a nice concept, clients need ongoing support, training and technical advice, in order to ensure the continued performance of our equipment within their processes. Some of these processes are document based, especially within the pharmaceutical industry.

EG: What does sustainability mean to you in 2026? 

EK: In 2026, we are pioneering the concept of ‘Beyond Compliance’. Many industries and municipalities have a licence to discharge certain parameters like nitrogen and phosphate in our water, but to a certain level. This level is determined primarily by what the local environment can cope with. Nature is a great processor of waste and ‘pollutants’, but we have to be careful not to overload nature. Let’s Go Beyond Compliance.   EG