The Environment Agency is exploring the feasibility of using cutting-edge artificial intelligence (AI) and machine-learning technology to digitise, read and interpret 10,000 years’ worth of hydrological data on river levels and flows. The risk of flooding and drought within England is a priority area of focus for the Environment Agency (EA) which strives to protect […]
Scottish Water and United Utilities are working with tech group ChangeMaker3D and Manchester Metropolitan University to produce 3D concrete printed infrastructure components. The £1.7 million project is backed by the Ofwat Innovation Fund and can print assets in a matter of hours compared to the several days it would take using traditional methods, achieving carbon […]
Ofwat has announced the latest winners of Breakthrough Challenge innovation funding. The 17 winning projects will share £40mn, are led by water companies and seek to address strategic challenges including on climate change, leakage and operations. The winners include: Developing a market-based approach to deliver SuDS through street works Local Regeneration of Granular Activated Carbon […]
Ofwat is consulting on a £400m Innovation Fund for AMP8. The plan is to keep the annual Water Breakthrough Challenge ‘Catalyst’ and ‘Transform’ competitions for water companies, but to boost the value to £250m. The remaining £150m would be split between two rounds of the Water Discovery Challenge for external innovators; a new stream for strategic […]
A new edition of environmental SCIENTIST – the journal of the Institution of Environmental Sciences (IES) – tackles the water crisis from all angles. The issue is titled ‘Watertight Solutions’ and is now available open access. In this issue, contributors take a critical look at how water in the UK has become one of the […]
The Ofwat Innovation Fund has announced the ten innovations which have worked their way to the top in the Water Discovery Challenge. Having launched in January 2023, this challenge seeks new, impactful ideas for the water sector. The winners have been awarded a share of £4.5 million to demonstrate how bold solutions can help solve […]
EurEau has published new research setting out research and innovation priorities for the European water sector. Innovating for a greener future is designed to help policy makers in designing research and innovation programmes in a way that responds to the real needs of drinking water and wastewater operators. The combined energy and supply-chain crisis the […]
Visualising carbon and cost hot spots during design decision making. A new project led by Anglian Water and developed thought the Ofwat Innovation Fund aims to support organisations to explore how they can deliver low whole life carbon and cost solutions. Aligned to PAS2080, it provides the detail on the processes, systems, behaviours and culture […]