Northumbrian Water chief government Heidi Mottram has advised delegates to the UKWIR Annual Convention 2024 that analysis and innovation will enhance outcomes for the water {industry} within the long-term.
“Innovation is greater than bringing in new applied sciences, it’s about altering the way in which we predict, it’s about altering the way in which we plan, ship and look forward,” Mottram advised the 160 delegates to the occasion, which happened in London on 3 October.
She mentioned the water sector wanted to recognise the significance of taking a long-term perspective, “Analysis and innovation improves what we do, it can futureproof, improve environmental outcomes, guarantee long run resilience and assist us join with communities we serve.”
Change was additionally entrance of thoughts for Stuart Colville, deputy chief government of {industry} affiliation Water UK, who joined the primary panel of the day, “There’s a completely monumental wave of funding coming, for all kinds of causes,” he mentioned, “and that actually challenges us as an {industry} to consider how we sq. the circle of affordability, supply and funding.
“I believe it can require some basic adjustments to the way in which regulation works, we’ll should get sooner and extra agile. We’ll want to take a look at every thing from improvement consents, to new methods of working, to nature-based options, or we’ll discover ourselves in a extremely tough state of affairs.”
Colville mentioned that the character of water corporations is altering essentially, “They’re catalysing motion, they’re working in a techniques approach, and that has to proceed, partly for the price purpose … but in addition as a result of it’s a greater approach of working, it delivers higher outcomes.”
Deputy director of water regulation on the Surroundings Company, Judy Proctor mentioned she believed UKWIR’s analysis may “carry proof and science into the talk to essentially assist inform that good follow and other ways of doing issues.”
She mentioned that knowledge offered the chance to essentially do issues otherwise, “The problem for us is to ensure we are able to regulate that successfully and ensure we are able to transfer at tempo and get that acceleration round innovation.”
Cross-sector collaboration and multi-stakeholder engagement was a outstanding theme throughout the day, with Julia Dimbleby, operations director of agriculture and land administration at specialist consultancy ADAS, highlighting new alternatives for driving sustainable farming practices that will enhance water high quality and cut back flood threat.
“We now have environmental land administration schemes, utilizing public cash for public good, such because the sustainable farming incentive,” she mentioned.
“Farmers will be financially rewarded for offering environmental providers. By adopting sustainable practices, we are able to guarantee our farming techniques will not be solely productive however are additionally protecting of the atmosphere.”
UKWIR chief government Steve Kaye, who steps down in November, mentioned the organisation was all about collaboration with numerous stakeholders, together with educational establishments, all of the water corporations within the UK & Eire and the provision chain.
“The profit is avoiding duplication and effecting monetary leverage,” he mentioned. “Our highest paying members pay round £500K per yr to get entry to £5 million of analysis, a leverage issue of ten.”
A very powerful query of the convention, Kaye mentioned, is “How can we create a stronger {industry}, slightly than higher corporations? By collaboration, you get broad experience, however there’s a problem – tempo – there are complexities, and also you want good stakeholder administration.”
The UKWIR Annual Convention 2024 happened on the Hilton Tower Bridge in London on 3 October.
To seek out out extra about UKWIR’s work, go to https://ukwir.org/leading-the-water-industry-research-agenda
