WJA Member Spotlight – UBU Environmental

Company name: UBU Environmental Ltd

Company representative: Thomas Kenyon

Job title: Business & Marketing Associate

What services do you deliver to the water jetting industry?

UBU Environmental specialises in high- and ultra-high-pressure water jetting services that support industrial cleaning, drainage, and infrastructure maintenance. Our capabilities include sewer and drain jetting, surface preparation, and water supply through dedicated bowser filling units.

We also operate a fleet of jet vac tankers, available for hire, which combine powerful jetting with vacuum recovery for efficient site clearance. All our work is delivered to the highest standards of safety and compliance, in line with Water Jetting Association guidance.

In addition, we deliver accredited training through in-house instructors, helping to raise competency levels across the industry while ensuring our own operatives remain fully qualified and up to date.

What are the three most important elements of service delivery for your customers and why?

First, dependability. Our clients rely on us to be there when we say we will, ready to deliver—whether it’s a scheduled job or an emergency callout. Missing deadlines or delays aren’t an option.

Second, quality execution. We don’t just get the job done; we get it done right. Thorough preparation, attention to detail, and finishing clean ensure minimal disruption and lasting results.

Third, efficient coordination through our Hire Desk. The Hire Desk plays a crucial role in managing equipment hire and logistics, ensuring the right resources are on site exactly when needed. This seamless coordination reduces downtime and keeps projects running smoothly.

What have been the business highlights for UBU Environmental over the last 12 months?

Over the past year, we’ve added an extra Whale jet vac tanker to our fleet, enhancing our capacity to deliver efficient and reliable water jetting and drainage services.

To further solidify our standing as a reliable partner for significant projects, we’ve also signed a number of important framework agreements with important utilities and highways clients.

These advancements, along with ongoing investments in safety and training, have solidified our standing as the top supplier of high-pressure water jetting services in the northwest.

Tell us something that you think anyone outside the industry will find amazing about your products and services

One of the most remarkable aspects of our work is how we’re turning waste from water treatment plants into valuable, sustainable products. Through a Knowledge Transfer Partnership with Manchester Metropolitan University, we’ve been chemically characterising filter cake material recovered from treatment processes.

To create sustainable soil products from what was once thought of as waste, this study included creative experiments like testing on Silver Birch trees and tracking earthworm growth over a year. We are getting closer to regulatory approval and practical implementation as a result of these findings being presented at significant environmental summits and international conferences.

Plus, our Head of Research & Development, Dr. Daniel Niepsch, is gaining national recognition for driving this innovation.

What’s the biggest change in technology or process you have witnessed in your service sector in recent years?

One of the most significant developments in recent years has been the way technology has improved our operations’ accuracy and performance, especially when it comes to the combination of high-pressure jetting and sophisticated mechanical recovery systems.

We can jet and vacuum at considerable depths at the same time, with more efficiency and control than ever before thanks to the new Whale jet vac tankers in our fleet. These developments not only increase the efficiency and calibre of site clearance, they also lessen exposure and manual handling, which makes our teams’ jobs safer.

At the same time, the investment we’ve made in waste processing technology has raised the bar for sustainability across our operations. We are now recovering more reusable material from the waste stream by putting in place sophisticated screening and washing systems, which helps to close the resource use loop and lessen landfill space.

These enhancements are a reflection of UBU’s broader strategy, which combines knowledgeable personnel, intelligent machinery, and reliable procedures to produce excellent results. We can continue to raise standards everywhere by keeping up with innovation while maintaining a focus on safety and service.

What do you think will be the biggest changes or challenges over the next 10 years?

Over the next ten years, we expect the biggest shifts and challenges to be around sustainability, smarter operations, and the growing need for complete transparency in our operations.

By making investments in water recycling technology, fuel-efficient vehicles, and waste processing systems that put recovery above disposal, our company is already heading in the right direction.

However, there will only be more pressure to decarbonise our entire operation. That entails investigating alternate power sources, such as hydrogen or electric, and keeping up with efforts to increase the efficiency of each and every one of our fleet’s units.

Delivering the same trustworthy service that our clients depend on while leaving a smaller environmental impact is more important than simply hitting regulatory goals.

What are you most proud of about the way your team supports your customers?

At UBU, we take pride in the way that every member of our team collaborates to provide reliable, superior service every single day. Every department in the company, from the hire desk to our sweeper, tanker and other vehicle operators, contributes to ensuring that our clients receive what they require at the appropriate time.

Our hire desk is one of our key advantages. They serve as our customers’ initial point of contact in addition to ensuring that all personnel and logistics are efficiently coordinated around-the-clock.

They maintain responsive, transparent communication on the front end while keeping everything functioning smoothly behind the scenes. Operational control and customer support work together to guarantee that we constantly meet the high standards required of UBU on every project.

This collaborative strategy, which is based on open communication, dependability, and ownership, enables us to create enduring bonds with clients and continuously perform well under duress.

How long has UBU been a member of the WJA?

We’ve been an official member of the WJA for a few months now, although we had already incorporated WJA resources into our staff training well before joining. Since our operations have always been in line with the association’s training standards and codes of practice, formal membership was the natural next phase.

Why did the company decide to join?

Joining the WJA was a logical step for us. The WJA is the industry standard for safety, training, and best practices, all of which we have always placed a high priority on in our operations.

In addition to providing us with access to the most recent guidelines, resources, and training frameworks to maintain our teams performing at the highest level, becoming a member formally acknowledged our dedication to those principles.

What advantages do you get from being a member of the WJA?

Being a member of the WJA gives us direct access to industry-leading guidance, training, and support – and we proudly display that commitment with WJA logos on our tankers.

It shows we adhere to the most recent safety regulations and technical best practices, enabling us to continue providing the superior level of service that our customers have come to expect.

Additionally, WJA membership provides our staff with access to certified training and ongoing development, enhancing our competence and reputation on the job site. Being a member demonstrates our commitment to doing things correctly.

What key issues do you think the WJA should focus on over the next three years, and why?

Over the next three years, we believe the WJA should focus on two key areas: maintaining rigorous safety standards and driving practical sustainability across the industry.

First, safety must remain the cornerstone. Consistent, excellent training is crucial as operating environments get more complicated and equipment gets more sophisticated. By establishing and revising safety standards, the WJA makes sure that workers have the skills and self-assurance necessary to perform their jobs effectively and without sacrificing quality.

At UBU, we observe directly how performance and well-being on the job are impacted by precise instructions and organised training.

Second, sustainability cannot be considered an add-on. Whether it is through closed-loop water systems, cleaner engines, or more effective waste processing, our industry has an obligation to lessen its impact on the environment.

The WJA is well-positioned to take the lead in this area by offering useful frameworks and assisting members in evaluating their own progress. With the correct direction, businesses can improve environmental standards without sacrificing the dependability that customers demand.

If UBU was an animal, what kind would it be?

A fox.

Like a fox, UBU is adaptable, resourceful, and capable of working independently or as part of a wider team. Our drivers and operatives often work solo in challenging environments, making smart decisions on the ground, while still staying connected to the wider operation through the Hire Desk. It’s that mix of independence, sharp thinking, and coordination that keeps us agile and effective across every job.