The first Waterbriefing survey on how Totex is operating in AMP6 has revealed a significant gap between perception and reality amongst a wide range of stakeholders in the UK water sector.

The survey prompted a significant level of responses from all levels of the supply chain - and the respondents felt strongly that Totex is far from being embraced in the UK water sector. Most believe that the UK water industry is not yet ready to meet Totex objectives, or that, if it is ready, it has still to change.

There was also strong agreement that resistance to change, a lack of consensus on what Totex really means, and a mindset split between Capex and Opex were all significant barriers to change.

In addition to obtaining  a ‘snapshot’ of water company readiness for Totex principles at the start of AMP6, the survey, conducted in association with Hydro International,  also had a particular focus on grit removal  - a process area with a potentially significant impact on plant operation and maintenance.

The responses on grit removal paint an illuminating picture of a real ‘disconnect’ which is probably replicated elsewhere in the system between embracing innovative opportunities and an ongoing inertia which simply accepts the consequent wear and tear in terms of both maintenance and equipment as an inevitable part of the process.

Interestingly, the sense of opportunity for improved performance was reflected more in the comments of downstream equipment suppliers, rather than the water companies themselves.

The clear impression is that the conflict between Totex aspirations and the reality of procurement practices in water companies is being acutely experienced right across the supply chain, both from contractors and equipment suppliers of all types.

Commenting on the results, Keith Hayward, Sales & Marketing Manager in the European Wastewater Division of Hydro International said:

“We are delighted to have had the opportunity to partner with WaterBriefing in their first AMP6 and Totex survey.”

“The results and conclusions of the survey are, perhaps, not completely surprising – except in the very strong sense of agreement and consensus. I was particularly struck by the similarity of frustrations felt by other equipment suppliers, and also by contractors across the water sector supply chain.”

“The sense of inevitability of the impact of grit on treatment processes is a definite case in point and, at Hydro we are all too aware of the hard yards we need to put in to persuade water companies of the benefits and potential Whole Life Cost savings.”

“This is made all the more challenging by the lack of availability of operating data from the UK water companies themselves, and even when data can be supplied from other parts of the world, it is only cautiously accepted. For me, the survey reveals a real sense of yearning for a greater willingness among water company staff to be open to innovation, rather than waiting for someone else to make the first move.”

“The good news is, we are beginning to work with the more forward-looking of the water companies to trial our HeadCell® technology which removes more, finer grit, at the inlet works and we are confident we’ll be able to demonstrate those positive results to the industry.”

Waterbriefing readers can download the survey findings in full here. Readers must be registered and logged in to access the report. Click here for free registration with Waterbriefing.

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