Scientifically, Technologically, Amid the Greenery of Podlasie

Report from the 20th National Scientific and Technical Conference in Supraśl

On June 4–6, 2025, the 20th jubilee edition of the National Scientific and Technical Conference titled “Problems of Water and Wastewater Management in Agro-Industrial Regions” was held, organized by the Department of Environmental Engineering Technology at Bialystok University of Technology, led by Prof. Katarzyna Ignatowicz, Ph.D., D.Sc., Eng., in cooperation with WES Sp. z o.o.

The event brought together over 80 participants – representatives from academia, industry, and the young research community. We met in Supraśl, surrounded by the Knyszyn Forest, to jointly discuss environmental challenges and modern solutions for the water and wastewater sector.

CONTEMPORARY ENVIRONMENTAL CHALLENGES THROUGH THE LENS OF SCIENCE

From the very first day, the plenary session outlined directions for scientific and engineering exploration. Monika Żubrowska-Sudoł spoke about the potential to increase biogas production through co-fermentation and substrate disintegration, while Marcin Dębowski focused on using microalgae as a future resource in environmental technologies.

Adding a different perspective, Wojciech Biendzio, an expert in digital marketing, introduced participants to the world of building a personal academic brand in social media.

SUBSTANCE, KNOWLEDGE EXCHANGE, AND PRACTICAL SOLUTIONS

Thursday’s paper and poster sessions addressed, among others:

Odour control in wastewater treatment based on the example of Białystok (Lech Magrel),
Water recovery from backwash water and hybrid treatment processes (Joanna Jeż-Walkowiak, Agata Rosińska),
Urban decarbonization through green infrastructure (Małgorzata Kacprzak),
Economic feasibility of using brackish water (Agata Koszyka),
New technologies in water meter reading (Iwona Kłosok-Bazan).

Discussions were led by experienced moderators, including:
Katarzyna Ignatowicz, Wojciech Janczukowicz, Iwona Zawieja, Bartosz Kaźmierczak, Lidia Wolny, Anna Grobelak, Mariusz Kowalczyk, Marcin Dębowski, Joanna Rodziewicz, Zbysław Dymaczewski, and Ewa Łobos-Moysa.

Among the speakers was also our colleague – Łukasz Wysocki, head of the Network Modeling Department and a Ph.D. student at the Doctoral School of Bialystok University of Technology – who presented his paper “The impact of sensor placement on leak detection effectiveness using hydraulic modeling in rural and semi-rural water distribution networks.”
Using simulations in the EPANET environment, Łukasz assessed the precision of leak localization for various sensor placement strategies, which enabled him to formulate practical recommendations for designing water network monitoring systems.

DETAILED PROGRAM WITH PRESENTATION LIST (IN POLISH)

YOUNG SCIENCE IN ACTION – DOCTORAL WORKSHOPS

A particularly valuable part of the program was the doctoral workshops – a platform for young scientists to present their research and confront ideas with practical applications. Participants worked in three groups under the guidance of tutors:

Małgorzata Kacprzak and Krzysztof Jóźwiakowski
Monika Żubrowska-Sudoł and Wojciech Janczukowicz
Agata Rosińska and Mariusz Dudziak

Topics included, among others: water recovery from the coffee industry, the impact of low-temperature plasma on microplastics, the use of fungi in dye removal, and the recycling of machine coolant.

PAPER ABSTRACTS

SUPRAŚL – A SPACE FOR SCIENCE AND REFLECTION

The conference was not only an opportunity for in-depth discussion but also for building relationships and exploring the region’s culture. Participants visited the Museum of Icons in Supraśl, and spent time together during a grill evening and banquet. A group photo symbolically concluded these intensive and inspiring days.

WES Sp. z o.o. proudly co-organized the event, contributing its experience in organizing conferences for the water and wastewater sector.

We are pleased to have contributed to the development of the scientific community. We believe that it is precisely through dialogue, experience sharing, and showcasing practical solutions that the future of the water and wastewater industry is shaped.

Thank you to all participants for your presence and active engagement!