The UK’s first water innovation strategy has been published setting out a new vision for transformational change through innovation across the UK water sector.
The strategy, which was first launched as a draft in July, has been developed by the 19 UK water companies and facilitated by UKWIR and ARUP.
Developed through extensive engagement and collaboration with more than 150,000 people, the strategy is aimed at facilitating open collaboration and delivering greater value for customers and the environment.
It will make the industry’s approach to innovation more efficient and effective while also helping to ensure that Ofwat’s Innovation Fund is targeted at projects that will deliver the most benefit for the sector.
Built around the delivery of seven key themes and supported by four principles that will underpin how innovation is delivered, the strategy sets out a clear roadmap to achieving the short, medium and long terms goals of the sector.
It outlines plans for a “virtually-integrated” Centre of Excellence that will act as a hub for global innovation, providing open and equal access to all interested in contributing to the strategy’s objectives.
The strategy is a call to action by the water companies for partners across the supply chain, regulators, customers and more to work together to transform the water sector.
Steve Kaye, CEO of UKWIR, said:
“There are some great examples of UK water companies collaborating regionally, nationally and globally. What this strategy does is help to bring the sector’s priorities into sharper focus, provide a gateway for those interested in contributing and working with us, and create an enabling environment where together we can do more.
“However, this is only the start of the journey, we now need to galvanise organisations, large and small, to help implement the strategy and deliver its ambitious objectives.”
The focus will now turn to implementing the strategy and the proposed Centre of Excellence. The Ofwat innovation funding and competition launches in January 2021 and will see suppliers, partners and water companies bidding for funds to further boost delivery against the strategy.
The water companies are continuing to develop the Centre of Excellence and aim to commence operations in spring 2021.
Delivering the strategy will be based on four key principles:
1. Opening access to collaboration
To create a joined up transparent approach for collaboration and make access to collaboration with the water sector more easily accessible.
2. Leveraging data and new ways of working
To open and share data, use new knowledge and technology to address barriers to innovation.
3. Making space for innovation culture
To provide resources to support the development of a shared water sector culture of innovation.
4. Being led by environmental, social and economic purpose
To ensure the innovation provides the best public value.
The principles are underpinned by seven key themes which set ambitions that the sector will aspire to, and work towards, in the short, medium and long term, to 2050.
- providing the services society needs, expects and values
- providing clean water for all
- protecting and enhancing natural systems
- delivering resilient infrastructure systems
- achieving net zero carbon
- taking a whole life approach to responsible consumption and production
- enabling diverse future-ready people and partnership working
Future Water, the membership association dedicated to helping the water sector and its supply chain grow which played an active role in the discussions, has welcomed the publication of the Innovation Strategy.
Commenting on the document, CEO Paul Horton said:
"The strategy sets out the key areas where Open Innovation with the supply chain is critical, for example under the themes section 'Delivering resilient infrastructure systems' will help bring together innovators in technology with those organisations that develop nature based solutions for flood risk."
"This is a great start but to keep pushing forward the ambition, the strategy needs to be a living document that the water companies and supply community, review, develop and take forward together".
The strategy will be officially launched with a webinar to be held on Wednesday 14 October at 10am Click here to book a place
Click here to download the final version of the strategy
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