AT the Water Industry Achievement Awards ceremony held recently in Birmingham, Crediton man Arthur Arscott – Regional Director of RPS* – was presented with an award for his outstanding contribution to the water industry over many years.

Arthur was born in North Tawton in 1943 and went to North Tawton School. He began his working life with North Devon Water Board in 1961.

After working with various water companies around the UK he returned to his roots in 1976 – taking up a post with South West Water.

With SWW he specialised in leakage management and was involved in several national technical committees.

During that time he managed to halve the leakage problem SWW had endured. SWW became one of the country's leading company's to have reduced leakages, something the company still spearheads today.

As a result of this work, Arthur published at least 50 technical papers which went industry wide.

He joined RPS in 1999 as one of four directors who today manage 850 staff.

Today he works with all the UK water companies and also manages some very important projects.

In 1995 he developed an "intelligent valve key", a piece of equipment which was so highly regarded that it became the runner-up for a Prince of Wales Award.

Arthur has presented several technical papers to International conferences in Malta, New Zealand, Australia and Belgium.

In the last two years because of water shortages in Australia and New Zealand, Arthur's work has taken him to those countries three times to give advice to water companies.

Outside of work, Arthur's love of pipework extends into his hobby – he plays a trombone the Crediton Town Band!

He was one of the founding members of the band and is still a playing member.

Arthur said he was "proud" to have been recognised with an award.

He added: "I started at the bottom in the industry and have worked my way up.

"I have been able to understand and acknowledge the different pressures people are under at all levels and I am sure this has been really helpful."

And a second award

Also that night, Arthur was presented with a second award for another piece of technology that he developed.

For his invention of a piece of equipment to help in leakage detection, called "Accu-flow", Arthur was presented with the award for "Most Innovative New Technology of the Year".

Arthur said that the "Accu-flow" is now used around the world.

* RPS was formerly known as Rural Planning Services. It is a leading provider of professional support services to the water industry (including leakage detection). Its work includes strategy, planning, management and operations.

Alan Quick