The UK water sector ought to give extra focus to the themes of delivering resilient infrastructure techniques and defending and enhancing pure techniques, in response to a survey concerning the UK 2050 Water Innovation Technique.
Spring, the water innovation centre of excellence, launched the sector-wide survey in July 2023. The goal was to hunt views to tell the long run course of the Water Innovation Technique, which was printed in 2020 by all UK water and wastewater firms and accommodates seven key themes.
A complete of 109 individuals responded to the survey, giving their views on the effectiveness and relevance of the present themes, what areas they see as working nicely, and the place changes could possibly be made.
For the query, ‘Which innovation technique themes do you’re feeling the water sector must focus extra on?’, 55 respondents answered ‘Delivering resilient infrastructure techniques’, with 52 answering ‘Defending and enhancing pure techniques’.
All responses might be set out in an insert to the primary technique doc, which might be redistributed to stakeholders and accessible to view on the Spring web site – www.spring-innovation.co.uk/
The suggestions might be thought-about throughout a refresh of the technique, which can guarantee it stays related and worthwhile to at this time’s water sector. Spring, which was launched in 2021 to assist the sector in delivering the technique’s ambitions, will work with water firm companions and wider sector stakeholders to plan the subsequent steps.
The UK 2050 Water Innovation Technique was created with the frequent function of offering transparency on water sector innovation ambitions. It was the primary time the sector had outlined its imaginative and prescient for collectively delivering transformative innovation, and greater than 250 individuals from each inside and outdoors the sector have been consulted as a part of its improvement.
Spring managing director Carly Perry stated, “I’d wish to thank all those that took the time to finish our survey to assist form the long run course of the UK 2050 Water Innovation Technique. The doc is underneath steady monitoring and analysis to make sure the innovation themes are nonetheless related and the sector is specializing in the fitting areas.
“Within the three years because the technique was printed, the wants of the sector have modified. That’s the reason Spring, as custodians of the technique, felt it was vital to hunt present views. Your responses will assist inform an up to date technique, guaranteeing all companions are aligned as we transfer ahead as a sector.”
To additional assist the supply of the technique, Spring has launched a brand new affiliate mannequin to attach present excellence from water professionals and keep away from venture duplication.
Perry explains, “There’s an ecosystem of organisations and initiatives delivering particular ambitions throughout the Water Innovation Technique and with 200-plus ambitions to work in the direction of, collaboration is required to keep away from duplication of efforts.
“The aim of the Spring Affiliate Mannequin is to attach the prevailing initiatives, ensuring Spring doesn’t give attention to the identical downside areas as others. Aligning on this method will unlock worth, improve the velocity at which we as a sector tackle our ambitions and fulfil one of many founding ideas of Spring – connecting present excellence.”
Spring has formal agreements with 12 associates together with British Water, Future Water Affiliation, Ofwat, Water Business Discussion board, Water Analysis Centre (WRc) and Water Providers Affiliation of Australia.
Lila Thompson, chief government, British Water, stated “British Water is proud to be working in affiliation with the innovation platform, Spring. Collaborative working throughout the sector and provide chain helps take away boundaries and delivers innovation at tempo. Solely by working collectively can we create a extra sustainable water sector, for now and within the future.”
James Gardener, atmosphere and expertise supervisor, Water Providers Affiliation of Australia, stated: “The Water Providers Affiliation of Australia is delighted to kind an affiliation with Spring, marking the graduation of a collaborative partnership aimed toward advancing water innovation methods via a shared dedication to studying and development.”
Go to the Spring web site and social media channels for extra on the UK 2050 Water Innovation Technique, survey responses and affiliate mannequin www.spring-innovation.co.uk