Nick’s ‘cool’ career comes to a close

May 2025

“Where have those 30 years gone?”

That was Ice Pigging Business Development Manager Nick Haskin’s first reflection when he announced he’d be retiring at the end of May. After nearly three decades in the water industry (and nearly two of those immersed in Ice Pigging), it’s a fair question.

Because if there’s one thing Nick’s career will be remembered for, it’s what he helped bring to life with Ice Pigging.

It all started back in 2006, when Nick was based in Bristol and met Professor Joe Quarinifrom the University of Bristol. Joe had an idea that, at first, seemed more scientific curiosity than industry staple: what if you could clean water mains using ice?

That first conversation took Nick in a new direction – one that would come to define much of his career. Over the years, he worked closely with Joe and the University of Bristol PhD students (who would go on to form ADHQ/Nivalis) to move the technique out of the lab and into the real world. What began with small 25mm test pipes became a viable method for cleaning water mains up to 600mm in diameter. Not just in theory, but in daily operations.

In 2010, Agbar (which then owned Bristol Water) decided to launch the Ice Pigging service commercially. Nick teamed up with Matthew Stephenson, and along with Mike Smith and other team members, became the pioneering team behind a new company called AgbarEnvironment.

Together, they developed and expanded the Ice Pigging service beyond the UK, including across Europe, North and South America, and worked closely with local Ice Pigging providers in Japan. It’s a service that continues to this day, used widely by water companies to clean pipelines efficiently and with minimal disruption.

Ice Pigging’s longevity speaks volumes not just about the method, but about the persistence and groundwork it took to get it there. Nick was part of that from the beginning, bridging early trial work with global delivery, and helping the service grow in both scale and reputation.

Before Nick got involved in the world of Ice Pigging, however, it wasn’t really where he started. Nick began his career at Bristol Water, out in the Mendips. Fresh to the industry, Nick, in his own words, had “no idea how the water industry worked”.

That changed quickly. The first few years were packed with learning, as he got to grips with the realities of producing and distributing high quality water around the clock. It wasn’t easy work, but it was formative. It ultimately led to him being responsible for Trunk Mains across the company, a role he describes as particularly fulfilling.

In 2016, yet another new chapter opened. Nick met Eddy Segal from ASTERRA (then Utilis), who’d developed a satellite-based way to identify potable water leaks underground. Nick worked closely with Eddy to help develop the UK market and, together, they supported many UK water companies in adopting the technology. Like Ice Pigging, it’s now a widely used approach to leak detection.

As Nick prepares to step away from his current role as SUEZ Business Development Manager, he reflects on the journey with clear appreciation not only for the work, but for the people he’s worked with. Matthew Stephenson, Antoni Ventura-Ribal, Eddy Segal, David Adams and Tom Woolley are just a few of the names he credits with shaping his experience in the industry.

As he leaves all these behind, Nick is now looking forward to spending more time cycling, travelling in his motorhome and, the best thing in retirement, being with family.

His parting words are simple, and they’ve clearly served him well: “Be kind, loyal, trusted and, most importantly, positive.”

A fitting sign-off to a career that’s never needed fanfare to make a lasting impact. All the best, Nick, from all of us at Ice Pigging.