Northumbrian Water has secured more than £10m to help fund innovation projects that aim to improve its operations. The company has won backing from the fourth round of water regulator Ofwat’s £40m Water Breakthrough Challenge.
A total of four projects have been backed. The largest amount of funding – £5.1m – has gone to River Deep Mountain AI, a partnership with technology company Cognizant which uses AI tools to gather data and create digital models which will help improve the health of local rivers and seas.
Funding has also been won for Pipebot Patrol, which will see the development of a sewer robot that will crawl through miles of pipe to inspect pipework and will raise alerts to the precise location of blockages, and to METREAU project, which aims to help reduce energy needs and carbon footprint in the treatment of wastewater.
Northumbrian Water has also won a second round of funding for its Support for All project, which aims to create a “one-stop approach” for customers with priority needs, particularly those in vulnerable circumstances.
The company is working with a range of partners on the scheme including Accenture, Microsoft, Ordnance Survey, Newcastle University and other water companies.
Angela MacOscar, head of innovation at Northumbrian Water Group, said: “Each of these four projects are game-changing in their own right, and we are incredibly proud that they have all been recognised for funding. Over the last three years, we have worked hard to win funding for 16 different projects, some of which are already making tangible differences in the way we operate – and ultimately to the services our customers receive.
“There is a lot of change happening in our industry at the moment and this is a huge step in the right direction – I can’t wait to see how these new projects progress.”
Separately, the company has opened registrations for its eighth Innovation Festival, the event that led to a number of projects that have gone on to win Water Breakthrough Challenge funding.
The event will take place from July 8-11, baed on the theme of “speed and scale”. As well as experts from Northumbrian Water and other companies, the event will welcome 400 Year 10 students from around the North East to take part in the Young Citizen’s Work Experience Festival.