NEWSDESK


drain TRADER


Web platformlaunched to address COVID-19 challenges


A newwebsite dedicated to collaboration and knowledge-sharing in thewater sector has been launched by technology consultancy Isle. TheWaterAction Platform,which is sponsored by leadingwater industry partners, pools experience and expertise fromutilities around theworld. It started as a response toCovid19 but is nowencompassing amuchwider range of topics. This dynamic platformwill catalyse experienceswithin the globalwater network to foster responses toCovid-19, at scale, to protect lives and livelihoods.TheWaterAction Platformis open to all andwill be especially useful towater utilities, technology companies, global industry groups, governments and financial and academic institutions. Isle chairman PiersClark said,“Only through targeted global collaboration and coordinated action canwe assistwith the response to and recovery fromthis unprecedented health emergency.We aimto identifyways to support utilities andminimise impacts of theCovid-19 pandemic on communities around theworldwherewe can. “Iwould like to thank all the individuals, companies and organisations that have come together and given the backing necessary tomake this platformpossible.” Akey feature of theWaterAction Platformis a bi-weeklywebinar, hosted byClark,which is open to all.Themost recent eventwas held twice on 25 June, to accommodate time zones, and six key learnings are highlighted below.


Six key learnings fromtheWater Action Platform


1. Collaboration identifies 95 technologies addressing Covid-19 issues Technologywill play a key role as utilities seek sustainable, viable solutions toCovid-19 challenges. In earlyApril, Isle carried out a technology scan of over 2,500 supply chain companies on behalf of


WaterAction Platformparticipants. More detailed research, funded by a collaboration of 23 utilities from across theworld alongwith two development banks, has identified 95 technologieswith a role to play in virus detection, removal,monitoring and contingency.The full findingswill be revealed through theWater Action Platformin the comingweeks,meanwhile here is a breakdown of technology types identified: • 8 for detecting andmonitoring for the presence of Sars-Cov-2 • 32with a proven ability to remove or deactivate Sars-Cov-1 or 2 • 29 for supporting remotework • 26 that can helpwater utilitiesmanage contingency in times of crisis


2. UK nanopore technology offers early virus detection potential Amolecule-sensing technology developed byUK companyOxford Nanopore could be on the cusp of a breakthrough into thewater sector due to theCovid-19 pandemic.The company has developed the only technology that offers the sequencing of native deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) and ribonucleic acid (RNA) alongwith genuine real-time monitoring. The technology has been successfully applied in other sectors and can identify theDNAand RNAofmicroorganisms or virus in liquids by looking at the resistance created across the nanomembrane,which varies across differentmicrobe species. Isle chairman PiersClark said,“When I first sawOxfordNanopore though Isle’sTechnologyApprovalGroups, I thought thiswas a great technology looking for its killer application.With the ongoing discussions around Sars-CoV-2, RNAinwastewater and the potential this offers as an early detection system, that killer applicationmight nowbewith us.”


A bi-weeklywebinar hosted by Islemanaging director


Piers Clark is a key feature of theWater Action Platform.


72 drain TRADER | August 2020 | www.draintraderltd.com


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