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World Rivers Day
with Tristan Hughes
19 DECEMBER 2023
As Construction Business Unit Manager at OSSO, the protection of watercourses and rivers is a crucial part of Tristan Hughes' job. With a lifelong passion for safeguarding these vital natural resources, Tristan is uniquely suited for this role. This year, for World Rivers Day, we had a conversation with Tristan to discuss his dedication to the environment and how his work at OSSO enables him to contribute to its preservation.
Tell us about your background and how this sparked your passion for protecting aquatic environments?
I grew up on a farm, and from an early age, I've always been captivated by ecology and ecosystems, especially aquatic environments. I spent a lot of time fishing along the river Stour, a really beautiful part of the world, and a relatively untouched meandering waterway, so have always felt a deep connection to our rivers. This passion led me to pursue Environmental Science at University, where I delved deeper into understanding how to safeguard the natural world. After entering the construction industry, I was determined to apply my environmental passion to ensure that the sector was operating responsibly and protecting our environment to the greatest possible extent.
When OSSO presented me with the opportunity to build a water treatment construction line from scratch, I jumped at it. I saw it as a chance to lead a project that was genuinely exciting and could make a real difference for our rivers.
How does your personal passion for rivers drive your work at OSSO?
Recent news, especially this summer, has shown that in the UK and around the world, we haven't always given rivers and water resources the respect they deserve. With water scarcity increasing and water conservation becoming paramount, only now are people beginning to appreciate that water is our most essential resource. Being able to contribute to growing awareness and providing solutions to this is hugely rewarding.
OSSO has provided me with the opportunity to transform a conceptual idea into reality by creating a water management offering for construction that is truly first in class. Developed to be a gamechanger for wastewater treatment, our WTS20 offers the first automated solids proportional dosing solution, for construction, something we are very proud of and precisely what the industry needs at this time.
Growing awareness in the construction sector and beyond is another thing I believe is hugely important. Engaging with customers and businesses in the construction industry daily, advising them on effective wastewater management and local environmental protection, is incredibly motivating and these conversations give me confidence that the sector is committed to tackling this challenge.
I also deliver a CPD-certified training course in wastewater management, enabling direct communication with the industry and sharing knowledge on the importance of wastewater management and regulatory compliance which is extremely rewarding.
What are you most proud of achieving during your time with OSSO?
Firstly, it's building the outstanding construction team we have at OSSO. The company has supported me in assembling a team with outstanding knowledge and expertise, making it a pleasure to work with them every day. Witnessing the deployment of our systems to protect inland watercourses always brings a sense of accomplishment and I’m delighted with the reception we’ve received from the industry since we launched the business line.
While one person can't change everything, being able to educate and engage with the sector on this crucial topic is genuinely rewarding, so the CPD course also falls into this category. The feedback we've received has been remarkable, my favourite comment being, "In truth, nobody thought the course would be overly interesting, but each attendee came out enthused by the subject and with an awful lot to think about going forward." This is the exact impact we aim to make, emphasising why this topic is so vital to people who didn’t understand before.
Finally, being highly commended at the Construction News Specialist Awards for the WTS20 in the Product Innovation of the Year (Non-Contractor) category was incredible and a testament to the exceptional work of the team in building a first-class solution.
How can the construction sector begin to make a difference on World Rivers Day and beyond?
As the value of water continues to rise due the changing environment, commitment to best practices, utilisation of appropriate technologies, and effective water management will be essential. From my conversations with the industry every day, I am confident that this transformation is already underway, driven by the increasing pressure on water resources.
Ultimately, water management should be tailored to each project or challenge, adopting a case-by-case approach. I believe this is where myself and OSSO can make our most meaningful contribution by ensuring robust and efficient wastewater management, safeguarding our most critical resource for the future.
