Projects we're supporting

Replicating the conditions that occur deep under the Earth’s surface to treat biowaste. Recovering valuable natural resources, paving the way for industry circularity.

Artificial Intelligence of Things Enabling Autonomous Waste Catchments (AIOT). Using AI to track a waste catchment area in real time, to minimise the risk of flooding and sewage pollution.

Biopolymers in the circular economy (BICE). Exploring the production and marketing of biopolymers from wastewater and sludge. This is to open up opportunities to realise several routes to circular economies.

Developing innovative techniques for using bacteria that can remove ammonia without producing nitrous oxide.

Catchment Systems Thinking Cooperative (CaSTCo). Revolutionising the way data about our water environment is gathered and shared. This focuses particularly on the health of the nation’s rivers. 

Developing a 21st century lining solution to reduce the risks of leaks and bursts. This will prolong the lifespan of pipes.

Enabling Water Smart Communities (EWSC). Exploring the relationship between integrated water management, community engagement and practices, and housing development. This will unlock new opportunities for cross-sector delivery and stewardship.

Developing a mobile unit to ready Microbial Electrolysis Cells for use in wastewater utilities. This will support against capacity pressures and reduce energy needs and carbon footprint. It will also recover resources of economic value.

Transforming a large, carbon-intensive Wastewater Treatment Plant in Staffordshire. It will become the world’s first retro-fit carbon neutral site.

A Whole System Approach to an Impossible Problem. Investigating treatment options for removing and destroying concentrations of PFAS from water.  

Developing an autonomous sewer robot that lives in the sewer. Constantly inspecting and raising alerts to the precise location of blockages, as they begin to form. 

Converting wastewater sludge into high-value sustainable materials. These include fuel, biochar (that improves soils) and carbon (used in water purification and energy storage).

Using artificial intelligence and mathematical optimisation to improve long-term operational resilience. This is in the face of climate change and rapid population growth.

Formerly known as SENECA. Proving the technical and economic viability of Advanced Thermal Conversion (ATC) Gasification. This is as an alternative approach to ‘Sludge to land’. 

Delivering a national online collaborative Sustainable Drainage Systems (SuDS) platform. This supports a collective understanding of what SuDS are, how they work, and their benefits.

A national, secure, cross-sector platform between water, energy, telecommunication and support organisations. Sharing Priority Services Register (PSR) data to improve the experience for vulnerable customers. 

Developing the use of genetic sequencing in drinking water treatment. Unlike current tests, genetic sequencing can determine all the bacterial species present in water. 

Encouraging widespread adoption of in-sewer heat recovery. This will showcase a reliable technical and commercial solution. 

Tool for Optimising decisions for Recovery of sewer Catchment Heat (TORCH). An AI-assisted tool to optimise heat energy recovery from sewers and water recycling centres.

Investigating biochar production as an alternative to conventional biosolids management practices.

Looking at novel ways to tackle pollution events that are due to tree roots and the blockages they cause.

Developing and testing Home Energy Recovery Unit (HERU). This is a waste recovery system to manage domestic and commercial waste on site. 

Using artificial intelligence and machine learning to automatically recognise features in CCTV inspections. This will give a better understanding of sewer deterioration and reduce the cost of inspections.

Investigating a range of solutions for the challenge of phosphorus water quality drivers. Based on the need to reduce dependence on metal-based coagulant dosing. 

Creating a lining solution for clean water pipes with a much longer lifespan.

Building a unique facility to test innovative solutions to leakage and water resilience.

Unlocking water data to deliver value to customers, society, and the environment. Removing barriers to data sharing and transparency. 

Delivering a secure hub to host data on vulnerable customers.

Designing a universal access point for water (UAP4W). Providing a standardised entry point to pressurised water pipes for cameras and other devices.

Developing a capability to trade bioresources across existing assets.

Using data modelling and machine learning to provide proactive support for financially vulnerable customers.