THE MAGAZINE FOR THE DRAINAGE, WATER & WASTEWATER INDUSTRIES
EDITOR’S CHOICE
at scale. The technology presents many more exciting opportunities for the sector, and we look forward to showing just what is possible.”
Nick Hurst, technical specialist at Manchester Metropolitan University – PrintCity, said: “This collaborative project is helping turn 3D printing into business-as-usual, an approach that will be game-changing for the sector.
“Some of the project’s outcomes – such as the successful printing of polymer spare parts - are already making a difference on the ground and delivering significant carbon, cost and labour savings. PrintCity has been working with the operational teams to enhance the designs, improving durability and ensuring parts can be maintained more effectively.
“Custom parts have also been designed and 3D printed. As the project nears completion the showcase webinar is a great
opportunity for the team to share insights with the rest of the sector.”
Ian Watt, capital investment net zero manager, Scottish Water: “The water industry is planning to spend a record amount on infrastructure during the next asset management period, with an ambitious capital programme that can only be delivered through new approaches and innovation.
“The Printfrastructure project has shown that 3D construction printing can deliver a 25% reduction in carbon, 20% cost saving and 55% reduction in labour, versus traditional methods. Assets can be built quickly, with a reduction in materials, creating a safer, more efficient working environment and helping meet carbon goals.
“After three years of collaborative research, feasibility studies and rigorous testing, we are on the cusp of being able to scale-up this exciting technology and look forward to showing the sector what can be achieved with 3D printing.”
United Utilities to go further and faster reducing spills from storm overflows
United Utilities has today announced a new programme of activity to accelerate spill reductions at a further 700 sites across the North West.
A dedicated team of 500 engineers and data scientists are in place to deliver the programme with a focus on:
• Creating additional storage capacity for storm water collection to capture more sewage during high rainfall to substantially cut spills
• Enlarging wastewater treatment works with modular units to reduce spill frequency in rural areas
• Tackling ground water from entering pipes by preventing water entering sewers and overwhelming treatment works
• Removing surface water from the sewerage network to ensure it transports only sewage and not rainwater
• Creating nature-based solutions such as reed beds and swales to improve filtration and treatment
• Using AI and predictive analytics to optimise operations
Louise Beardmore, Chief Executive of United Utilities, said: “We have proposed an ambitious business plan of over £13 billion of investment to improve services for customers, communities and the environment over the next 5 years. This will deliver better quality drinking water, reduce leakage and improve the quality of the region’s rivers. The plan will see us tackle over 440 of the biggest storm overflows across the region, enabling us to reduce spills and improve over 500km of rivers and waterways.
“Customers and regulators have made it clear that they want us
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to go as fast as we can, and we have been working in the background sourcing ideas and solutions. We have been accessing some of the best innovation from across the world to see what more we can do, and that’s why we’re able to commit today to a further acceleration that will see us making interventions at an additional 700 sites across the North West. Together with our business plan, today’s announcement will see us making improvements at over 1,100 sites by 2030 and spending a total of £500 million on accelerated wastewater service improvements.
“That’s a massive commitment and one that will help to deliver the step change that customers, stakeholders and regulators want to see. We have mobilised our supply chain and engaged some of the best engineering and construction teams. We are accelerating environmental programmes in communities across the region where we are innovating to find quicker and more immediate solutions and fast-tracking investment to drive improvements.”
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