Robbie Moore MP, UK government minister for water, has addressed the demand gap in resources during his keynote address at British Water’s International Reception, which took place in London on 19 February 2024. He called for greater collaboration and innovation in finding solutions.

At the British Water Micropollutants Conference 2024, which took place in London on 8 February, keynote speakers from the UK’s Environment Agency called for a cross-industry approach to tackling the issue.

British Water will sign a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the WaterRising Institute of the USA at the trade association’s upcoming International Reception on Monday 19 February in London. The MoU is an agreement to partner on the WaterWoman Project, which aims to accelerate gender parity in water management, addressing the urgent need for a gender-inclusive, water-positive approach to solving the water crisis.

More than 100 Water Innovation Strategy survey responses were received. Views from the survey will help shape the strategy’s future direction. A new affiliate model will also prevent duplication of efforts.

Scottish Water has made a big dent in its greenhouse gas emissions by deploying advanced technology at 200 pumping stations across its network. By combining high-efficiency pumps and advanced digital technologies, the utility has reduced energy consumption by up to 60%, accelerating its goal of becoming carbon neutral by 2040.

The need to intensify collaboration, integration and digitisation, to deliver a vast programme of works in AMP8 – the asset management plan period 2025-30 – was one of the themes under discussion at British Water’s first annual conference, which took place in Manchester on 21 November 2023.

A detailed overview of artificial intelligence (AI) and its increasing emergence in the water and wastewater sector was the focus of British Water’s latest webinar, featuring speakers from Ofwat, Thames Water, and across the supply chain, including consultancies Jacobs and ExploreAI.

A strong performance on contractual approach, collaboration and communication have catapulted Scottish Water to the top of the 2023 annual water company survey carried out by British Water.

Spring, the UK & Ireland centre of excellence for water innovation, has announced the appointment of three new board members to help steer the organisation into its next phase. Graeme Wright, Christian Inglis and Anthony David King take up their positions as Spring moves forward with an enhanced programme to support the water sector with its innovation strategy.

Water sector supply chain companies are being invited to share their experiences of working with UK utilities over the past 12 months. This is against a backdrop of an expected increase in spend to improve environmental performance.