United Utilities is celebrating after two of its collaborative projects made it onto the list of 11 winners in Ofwat’s new £2 million Innovation in Water Challenge competition – the water company is also a key partner in a further three winning projects.

The two projects – one training AI to spot defects in sewers, the other exploring innovative ways to re-use water industry wastes and by-products – were awarded a total of £388,819.

The two projects being led by United Utilities are:

AI & Sewer Defect Analysis: United Utilities will work with the Water Research Centre to train artificial intelligence to automatically recognise features in CCTV inspection of sewers, and give a better understanding of sewer deterioration and reduce the cost of inspections. Other partners in this project are: Dŵr Cymru (Welsh Water), Scottish Water, Severn Trent Water plc, Thames Water Utilities Limited and Yorkshire Water Services Ltd.

Industrial Symbiosis: United Utilities will work with Industrial Synergies to explore innovative ways to re-use various wastes and by-products from the water industry as inputs into other processes. Other partners in this project are: Dŵr Cymru (Welsh Water), Jacobs, and Severn Trent Water plc.

United Utilities’ pioneering Innovation Lab, now in its third year, has been the springboard for several successful new technologies being adopted by United Utilities and the sector.

Kieran Brocklebank, United Utilities’ Head of Innovation, said:

“The Ofwat fund is a great way for the sector to come together to share our expertise in a collaborative way for the benefit of all our customers, the environment and society as a whole. It’s incredibly gratifying that we have been instrumental in winning two of the inaugural nominations, and be included as partners in another three.”

Ofwat’s second competition for 2021, the £40 million Water Breakthrough Challenge, opened for entries on 6 May 2021.