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Innovators challenged to create the water company of the future

Anglian Water is challenging innovators to create the water company of the future, and bring it to life this autumn.

Through the Water Innovation Network (WIN), a joint initiative with economic development company Opportunity Peterborough, the water company is inviting suppliers to an event in October to create and visualise how each element of the water cycle of 2030 could operate, from water abstraction to water recycling.

Through its ‘Shop Window’ project the company aims to find solutions to long-term challenges such as climate change and population growth which are putting a strain on water resources.

Steve Kaye, Anglian WaterSteve Kaye, Anglian Water’s Head of Innovation, explains “We are aiming to produce a ‘Shop Window’ of innovation to create the water company of the future.

“We are challenging innovators, both big and small, to sit round the table with us and develop ideas to improve every aspect of our water cycle in the context of the environmental and operational challenges we will face in the future. These ideas may stretch beyond our remit as a water company today, but we will be working with commercial, government and academic partners to implement the best ideas in a major pilot scheme in Newmarket”.

The project has aspirational goals including 100% chemical free drinking water, 0% leakage and 100% customer satisfaction.

Steve continues: “The October event is a unique opportunity for innovators to gain direct access to key decision-makers within our business. Senior managers from across the company will be hosting tables at the event to talk directly to suppliers about the problems we face daily and in the longer-term; challenging them to help us provide solutions.

“It’s called the shop window project because it’s about cherry picking the latest innovations, developing and piloting them for use in our wider business.”

The shop window event will be hosted by WIN on Friday 31st October at the KingsGate Conference centre in Peterborough. To register, please click here

For more information please email: info@waterinnovation.net or follow WIN @watercluster on Twitter #futureofwater