In an Expert Focus article for Water Briefing, Ketan Kothari, Client Services Manager – Water at engineering, technology and consulting services provider Expleo, explores the wave of challenges facing the UK water industry as it gears up for AMP8 and how data can help to address them.

Photo: Ketan Kothari, Client Services Manager – Water

Ketan Kothari: As the UK water industry gears up for AMP8, it faces a wave of challenges, from mounting regulatory pressures to the impacts of climate change. Set against a backdrop of heightened scrutiny, AMP8 aims to drive a sustainable, customer-centric transformation within the water sector. However, to make this ambition a reality, water companies must grapple with data integration, cybersecurity and organisational efficiency — all of which, if left unchecked, could dampen the industry’s progress.

This article will explore the power of data in helping water companies meet the goals of AMP8. It will also examine how the industry can address its longstanding challenges to build a more resilient and sustainable water infrastructure.

Rising to the challenge

The UK’s water networks span thousands of miles, serving millions of households and businesses across highly diverse geographical regions. Yet, much of this infrastructure is ageing, with some pipes famously dating back to the Victorian era.

On top of age-related issues face in the UK water sector, the network’s complexity adds another layer of difficulty. Water systems across different regions often have unique configurations, making network-wide upgrades or repairs anything but straightforward. This complexity can slow down response times to outages and create logistical nightmares when attempting to implement new technologies or standardise data management across the board.

Adding to the difficulty is the need to cut water leakage. While this has long been a priority for the industry, AMP8 makes it an essential goal, prompting companies to reduce leakage by 13%. This focus reflects both environmental imperatives and growing public concern over water conservation and sustainability.

Meanwhile, as the industry adopts modern digital tools to monitor and manage the network remotely, it faces a rising tide of cybersecurity threats. Incidents like the ransomware attack on Southern Water at the beginning of the year, resulted in corporate data theft and customer identity document duplications.

A cyber breach can further disrupt service, jeopardise sensitive customer data and seriously damage public trust. The challenge lies in balancing the benefits of digital transformation with robust protections against these increasingly sophisticated attacks, making cybersecurity a frontline concern.

These intertwined challenges demand a proactive approach under AMP8. Rather than hurdles, they present opportunities for the industry to modernise, redefine efficiency and build a more resilient future for the UK’s water services.

Leveraging advanced technology

The path forward begins with strategic investments in advanced technologies that can modernise infrastructure and enhance system monitoring. Smart sensors, for instance, can detect leaks in real-time, allowing utilities to act swiftly before minor leaks evolve into costly, disruptive problems.

Predictive monitoring, powered by digital twins helps organisations create a virtual model of the entire water system, simulating real-time data from physical assets. This allows water companies to monitor and analyse their networks as if they were navigating a digital replica.

Furthermore, AI-powered data analytics can offer powerful insights, pinpointing problem areas and optimising resource allocation. By analysing data from various sources, such as weather forecasts and consumption patterns, companies can anticipate demand spikes during heatwaves or significant events.

Building a comprehensive data map

With advanced technologies in place, the next crucial step is to consolidate data through a comprehensive data map. This tool serves as a central resource for data across departments, integrating everything from leakage statistics and maintenance logs to customer feedback and real-time system alerts.

A well-structured data map not only facilitates better planning and decision-making but also enables faster detection of leaks and system vulnerabilities, helping utilities stay ahead of potential issues.

Imagine a data map that allows field teams and customer service departments to see exactly where leaks are occurring and prioritise fixes based on impact. Such a resource would improve operational efficiency and transparency, ensuring that teams have the insights they need to deliver excellent service and make data-driven decisions at every level.

Fostering data literacy

As data flows increase, a solid cybersecurity strategy depends not only on firewalls and encryption but on data-literate employees who can spot and respond to potential cyber threats.

Fostering data literacy across an organisation means training employees to understand the data they interact with, identify irregularities and know when to raise the alarm. With staff more attuned to data security, potential breaches can be caught early, minimising risks and ensuring smoother day-to-day operations.

By implementing regular cybersecurity training and establishing data literacy programmes, water utilities can create a workforce that’s empowered to support digital security efforts. In addition to improving cybersecurity, data literacy also boosts efficiency, enabling employees to use data confidently in their roles, whether responding to leaks or engaging with customers.

A vision for the future

AMP8 challenges the UK water industry to reach new heights in efficiency, sustainability and security. While the hurdles may seem daunting, the solutions available are powerful. With a forward-thinking approach, water companies can transform these challenges into stepping stones, adopting advanced technologies, comprehensive data mapping and an organisation-wide commitment to data literacy.

In an industry that touches every home and business, the stakes are high, but the potential rewards are even higher. AMP8 is an opportunity to redefine water management in the UK, creating systems that are not only resilient but also deeply customer-centric. By investing in the right mix of technology and data tools, the UK water industry can build a future that’s not only smarter but also more secure and sustainable for generations to come.