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Innovation

Innovation is essential to our growth and success. We know that staying ahead in a rapidly changing world means continuously exploring new ideas and pushing boundaries. 

 

But innovation is bigger than us. That’s why we share knowledge across Anglian Water and beyond, shaping the future through testing, learning, and scaling value. 

 

Our commitment to fostering innovation is exemplified through several key initiatives. These efforts not only promote a culture of innovation within our business but also enable collaboration with external partners to tackle industry-wide challenges, ensuring the delivery of world-class solutions in water management. 

Innovation in Action: The Shop Window Incubator

Established in 2017 the Innovation Shop Window serves as a real-world testing ground for pioneering projects this is a placed-based approach to testing and trialling innovation in the round, considering not just technology, but the people and process change required to embed and scale innovation into business as usual. The Shop Window has evolved into an innovation incubator to better meet the innovation needs of the business and the sector, providing resources, psychological safety, and a collaborative environment to accelerate innovation and bring creative concepts to fruition.   

Sustainable Urban Drainage Systems (SuDS) Trial 

One of our exciting trials looked at how small-scale Sustainable Urban Drainage Systems (SuDS) can make a big difference. At a primary school in Newmarket, we installed SuDS and Surface Water Management (SWM) solutions in the playground to slow down and reduce the amount of rainwater entering the sewer network.  

By redirecting rainwater from the 460m² school roof, we effectively removed the equivalent of 60 houses from the sewer system, helping to protect our communities from flooding and making our water systems more sustainable. But the impact didn’t stop there!  

Our education team visited the school, bringing the ‘Make Rain Happy’ campaign to life. We engaged students in fun, hands-on learning, helping them understand the importance of water conservation and inspiring the next generation to care for the world around them.  

Smart modelling: empowering technicians on the ground  

We believe in giving our teams the best tools to solve problems efficiently and effectively. That’s why we’ve introduced smart modelling technology; a digital twin system that streamlines the way we manage our water networks.  

 

When leaks or issues arise, our technicians need fast, accurate information to restore service quickly and safely. In the past, they had to collaborate with hydraulic modellers to assess the situation and decide the best course of action. Now, thanks to smart modelling, they have instant access to the insights they need.  

 

This technology not only speeds up repairs but also gives technicians a deeper understanding of how the network operates. If an issue is likely to impact customers, they can act fast, coordinating bottled water deliveries, sending real-time updates, and ensuring minimal disruption.  

 

By harnessing digital solutions, we’re paving the way for a smarter, more responsive water network. And with technology at the heart of our operations, we’re attracting the next generation of problem-solvers, innovators, and caregivers who want to make a real impact.  

 

This just highlights a couple of the initiatives, to explore this and more, visit awinnovationhub.co.uk.  

Award-Winning Innovation

Our innovative efforts have been recognised on the global stage.   

  • We received a Gold award at the International Water Association Awards in Tokyo for our Innovation Shop Window project in the Performance Improvement and Operational Solutions category.   
  • Our Integrated Leakage and Pressure Management system secured second place in the Smart Systems and the Digital Water Economy category.  
  • During the 2024’s Utility Week Water Industry Awards both our Triple Carbon Reduction Project and Project Firefly were named winners in the Net Zero Carbon Initiative of the Year and Wastewater Innovation Project of the Year categories.  
  • During the 2023’s Utility Week Water Industry Awards we were awarded the Innovation award for creating an automated, connected utility system for future generations  

Research and Academic Partnerships 

The breadth of our collaborations throughout the water industry (and beyond) enables us to bring cutting edge knowledge to our organisation through an effective partner network.  

 

Whether working with world-class universities to sponsor students and take part in research studies, or partnering with water industry regulators, suppliers or centres of excellence, collaboration is key to success not just for Anglian Water, but for the industry as a whole.