As part of our “80 Years of IWater” campaign, we’re aiming to share 80 stories from our members and volunteers to celebrate this milestone year. Today, we’re proud to shine a spotlight on the career of Wing-Shum Lee IEng MIWater CEnv, Network Performance Engineer North at United Utilities. Read Wing’s water industry journey below.
“Life at North West Water Ltd. began after graduating from Lancashire Polytechnic in 1989, some 35+ years ago. Taking on various roles in the drawing and systems offices in Preston. A two-year distribution trainee placement followed in the Blackburn works office, where I was actively encouraged to join the IWO (now IWater) in 1992 by my manager (Chris Edmonson), which included a six-month secondment at HQ in Warrington.
I was part of a team that diverted the trunk main for the extension of the M65 motorway near Darwen in the early 1990s. On completion, I headed back to Lancashire and into the world of installing new water mains. My proudest moment was directionally drilling a 10” pipeline under the M61 and the Leeds & Liverpool Canal in Chorley to reinforce the water network of a growing town. I was also involved with the design and estimating of over 2,000 km of Cast Iron mains rehabilitation in AMP 3/4 and in AMP 5, carrying out mains cleaning design to improve our drinking water quality, stretching from the Scottish Borders & down into Manchester City Centre.
I was encouraged & supported by my managers (Nicholas Preston & Peter Duffy) to look at the wider business, which led to successfully completing the CIWEM Diploma at Liverpool JM University.
I progressed to the Professional Review, achieving my IEng through IWater. This quickly led to a change in direction and into the Network Performance Team in Merseyside and currently in Lancashire, where I keep the taps flowing to our customers’ homes and businesses.
Twelve years ago, I volunteered to become a mentor to Network Apprentices, which I thoroughly enjoyed and benefited from for personal development. I have continued to do so in an informal capacity. Happy to report that both mentees are doing well within the business at United Utilities.
IWater has an extremely important role to play in supporting and advising in the water industry in AMP8 and beyond. We have many experts with bags of experience readily available; make use of them.
I hope to keep the taps flowing & customers “happy” in the North West of England.
Nurture & encourage our young people, they are our future in the water industry.
My advice to the next generation: be humble, be kind & live your life with integrity.“
