Future Water will be hosting its third (and final) heat of Water Dragons 2020 as part of its annual networks event, this year taking place in a virtual format from 18 – 20 November 2020.
‘Smart networks in an uncertain world’ is the theme of this year’s networks event and Future Water would like to invite entries into their long-standing innovation competition, Water Dragons, that complement this theme and the event programme.
Companies or individuals with innovations designed to benefit the networks infrastructure are strongly encouraged to submit an entry. Innovations and processes that involve smart networks, achieving net carbon zero and data led solutions will be of particular interest to the judges and event attendees.
Commenting on the upcoming heat of Water Dragons, CEO Paul Horton said:
‘We are always so excited to see what people can come up with to help solve the varied challenges faced by the water sector. In some cases, the challenges facing those working in water have been around for years, but we also have new issues emerging in the light of the current health crisis. It will be very interesting to see if any of our entrants can address these new problems facing our networks as a result of COVID-19 and its knock-on effects.
‘An initiative such as Water Dragons echoes the sentiments of what OFWAT is hoping to achieve with the launch of its innovation fund. Our organisation also champions the use of collaboration within the sector, such as that displayed by those working on the UK Water Companies Innovation Strategy.’
Now in its thirteenth year, Water Dragons continues to evolve. 2019 saw regional heats, attract a wide range of entries from across the sector and 2020 has seen the introduction of virtual heats, with companies pitching ideas from as far away as Australia.
The panel of judges or ‘Dragons’ are different for each heat and are drawn from a variety of water companies, businesses and academia.
Companies who want to enter Water Dragons must submit their entry by 3rd November via the Future Water website: https://www.futurewaterassociation.com/event/water-dragons-future-water-networks-2020/