Scottish Water apprentice celebrates double award win

Two prizes have been given to an apprentice at Scottish Water for his work and presentation on harnessing the natural flow of water to create power.

At the Pipeline Industries Guild Professional Development Network Competition, Zac Mooney gave a presentation that was motivated by a hydropower plan at his local site in Falkirk.

Zac, who is only 22 years old, defeated competitors with significantly more experience in the industry by winning the Scottish prize before double his success at the UK-wide competition in Coventry.

Speaking to more than a hundred business professionals, Zac explained how a turbine situated atop a vital clean water main at Carron Valve Chamber will supply over 20% of the electricity required for the adjacent Dalderse Waste Water Treatment Works.

One of the first projects in Europe to use a clean water supply to power a waste water plant is being developed by Scottish Water Horizons.

“I am grateful for the chance to present my hydropower expertise at such an early stage of my Scottish Water career,” Zac stated. Our organization’s goal is to achieve net zero status by 2040, and Scottish Water Horizons is executing numerous projects that align with this objective. I am really passionate about the environment, which is something that is heavily emphasised in my work.

“My development has been greatly aided by Scottish Water Horizons’ support, which has also given me the self-assurance to compete at such a high level at Pipeline Industries Guild Competitions.”

“Zac distinguished himself by using a prop on stage – a small pressure reducing valve to demonstrate the power-generating potential in our pipes and flows,” said John Lenehan, project manager for Scottish Water Horizons and Zac’s mentor. Attendees were captivated by his compelling presentation and expressed admiration for its ability to reduce carbon emissions and save costs.

“Zac has had a busy first nine months with us, but he has done brilliantly, taking all these new experiences from an apprenticeship with Scottish Water in his stride.”

With 175 apprentices working for the publicly owned utility, Zac’s accomplishments on the Horizons Hydropower Team demonstrate the breadth of opportunities offered by the programme.