Suppliers interested in pitching their innovative technology, product or service to key stakeholders in the water and wastewater sector are being invited to attend an informative and interactive event hosted by NI Water in partnership with Invest Northern Ireland in September.

Paul Harper, Director of Asset Delivery, NI Water commented: 

“The increasing pressure on water and wastewater systems means the products, services and methods we currently rely on need to adapt so that NI Water can continue to deliver high quality services and support the local economy.  I’d encourage companies to apply to pitch their innovations to water industry experts. 

“This event will provide an overview of current innovation in the water sector and will promote new innovative products and services that businesses are providing to local and global markets.”

The event will focus on providing solutions in the following areas:

1. Solutions for Utility Strike Avoidance

NI Water have a considerable number of assets below ground in public and private property.  Utility tracing is challenging for some pipe materials, cables etc and is also dependant on the surface and ground make up.  Where assets are not identified in advance of excavation either by utility companies or 3rd parties there is both a risk to the health and safety of the construction personnel and also of disrupting service to customers.  The event is an opportunity for suppliers with technology that can be used to identify below ground services to avoid utility strikes to pitch their product.

2. Solutions to develop Smart Water and Waste Water Networks

As the water sector strives to become more efficient, the dynamic use of smart technologies to inform decision makers to control assets within water and waste water networks is seen as a method to optimise the network on a daily basis and target such issues as real time trade effluent monitoring. This may be a single site based innovation of a system based solution to optimise a large number of assets.  Innovators are invited to pitch at the event on solutions, explaining the monitoring required and how the solution would integrate into the management of assets.

3. Solution for Low TOTEX in Water and Waste Water Treatment systems

With continual focus on the Whole Life Cost of assets, technical solutions for water and wastewater treatment that are more sustainable than conventional treatment solutions are the focus of this session.  This may include new water and wastewater treatment processes or systems, including sludge treatment and disposal solutions, which demonstrate overall reduction in costs and/or environmental benefits. 

4. Solutions in Advanced ICT

NI Water seeks innovators to bring forward ideas, by which it can transform its business for the benefit of customers.  This may be in the form of digital transformation, use of data to inform predictive analysis (eg predictive failure of watermains or sewers), artificial intelligence or some other form of innovative IT solution which may have relevance to the water industry. 

Olive Hill, Executive Director, Strategy at Invest NI said Invest NI welcomed the opportunity to work closely with NI Water in developing opportunities for businesses in the water sector which can serve as a platform for subsequent export market development.

Suppliers interested in pitching innovative technology, product or service should click here to download an application form. Completed forms should be emailed to This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it on or before Friday 4 August 2017.

Successful companies will be selected and asked to undertake a 5 minute pitch of their technology, product or service to NI Water and key water sector supply chain companies at the Water Sector Innovation event, Wednesday 27th September 2017 at the Crowne Plaza Hotel, Shaws Bridge, Belfast.