Glanville Environmental Shortlisted for TechFest Awards 2026 Trenchless Innovation

The recognition highlights Glanville Environmental’s commitment to developing innovative trenchless solutions that help water companies improve asset performance, reduce infiltration and extend the life of critical wastewater infrastructure.

Advancing Trenchless Sewer Rehabilitation

Lateral connections, where a property’s drain connects into the main sewer, are among the most vulnerable points within a wastewater network. Defects at these junctions can lead to infiltration, groundwater ingress and long-term structural deterioration, placing additional pressure on sewer systems and treatment assets.

To address this challenge, Glanville Environmental has developed and refined its Advanced Top Hat Lateral Connection Sealing System, an innovative trenchless solution designed to deliver faster, more reliable repairs without the need for excavation.

The technology has been specifically engineered to improve installation performance in larger diameter sewers and challenging live infiltration conditions, helping overcome limitations associated with traditional sealing methods.

Delivering Measurable Benefits

Through extensive research, testing and operational deployment, the system has demonstrated significant benefits, including:

• Installation times reduced by up to 40%
• Successful sealing in active infiltration conditions previously unsuitable for conventional Top Hat installations
• Reduced groundwater ingress and hydraulic loading within sewer networks
• Elimination of excavation, reducing disruption to customers and communities
• Lower carbon emissions and improved safety through trenchless delivery

The innovation combines enhancements to installation technology with a rigorous programme of material and resin testing, ensuring consistent performance across a range of operational environments.

Proven Success Across the UK Water Sector

The Advanced Top Hat Lateral Connection Sealing System is already being used across rehabilitation programmes for major UK water companies, including South West Water, Wessex Water and Severn Trent.

A notable application was delivered as part of South West Water’s Inflow and Infiltration Reduction Programme in Looe, Cornwall, where tidal influence and groundwater ingress present significant operational challenges. The enhanced system successfully delivered effective sealing under active infiltration conditions, contributing to improved network performance and reduced infiltration volumes.

Recognition for Innovation and Collaboration

The TechFest shortlist recognises not only the technology itself but also the collaboration between Glanville Environmental’s operational, engineering and innovation teams, alongside clients and supply chain partners.

The judges highlighted the strength of the research and development process, proven productivity improvements, and successful implementation across multiple UK wastewater networks.

Being shortlisted demonstrates how practical innovation can deliver meaningful outcomes for the water industry, helping utilities improve operational efficiency, reduce environmental impact and build long-term network resilience.

Looking Ahead

As a finalist, Glanville Environmental will present the technology to the judging panel later this year as part of the next stage of the TechFest Awards process.

We are incredibly proud of the teams involved in developing and delivering this innovative trenchless solution and look forward to showcasing its continued success.

To learn more about our trenchless rehabilitation services, contact our team today or follow Glanville Environmental on LinkedIn for the latest updates.