THE MAGAZINE FOR THE DRAINAGE, WATER & WASTEWATER INDUSTRIES
NEWDESK
processes, people and the environment. At Anglian Water, we recognise that understanding the asset base is fundamental to enhancing the performance of our systems, but people and how they connect with our digital systems is also very important.
A massive advantage of digital platforms is that we can make adjustments to physical assets and systems from our desktops, rather than always having to send people to respond to incidents, sometimes at night and onto dangerous highways. It presents an opportunity to radically de-risk jobs and the work people do.
“Digital transformation is the future of the water industry and we all need to better understand where it applies.We are a data rich sector and now we need to make use of data.”
Digital transformation involves a cultural shift, requiring new skills, but it also helps address the issue of the water industry’s ageing workforce, because digital solutions do not require such long apprenticeships. As digital natives, younger generations are already fully engaged with the technologies we are deploying.
Data should be treated as an asset that needs to be managed alongside our traditional asset base. I see a digital twin as a representation of Anglian Water’s entire physical asset base and we already have a lot of that information in digital formats such as GPS.
Anglian Water was an early adopter of artificial intelligence, including machine learning, which is continually improving processes. Water operations need to be managed source-to source – identifying the optimal point to extract resources and where to put them back into the system.
Forecasting the performance of assets in advance can help de- risk operations and ensure we meet customer expectations. Digital systems also make hind-casting possible, providing root and cause analysis and helping our teams make the right investment decisions and address recurring issues.
I work in the water business stream of Anglian Water and we operate source-to-tap systems thinking, analysing how assets are interconnected. This is a move away from the way utilities were traditionally organised, internally siloed into water resources, treatment, distribution and customers.
In our digital future operating models there will be one version of the truth visible across the business.
The supply chain is fundamental in the process and the enablement of digital transformation, but it is important that manufacturers and suppliers first understand the problems we are trying to address. A technology may be brilliant and innovative, but if it does not solve the challenges we face, it is of no use. At Anglian Water our main challenges are around water security, leakage and energy reduction and we are very open and looking to collaborate.
Finally, Rioned’s UK director, Andrew Wilson, provides a sweep of the kinds of technologies driving efficiency in both their business operations and drain and sewer cleaning and inspection systems – from data management to single-operative jetting systems and the world’s first electric van-pack jetter.
Engaging theworkforcearound digital Andy Smith Smart Water Strategy Manager, Anglian Water
Digital transformation is the future of the water industry and we all need to better understand where it applies. We are a data rich sector and now we need to make use of data.
Making smart water happen will mean better outcomes for FOLLOW US
We are already seeing the cost-savings that accrue from digital transformation. They will exceed £1.4 million a year in the current asset management period (AMP7), with the saving on power alone hitting around £600k each year and delivering a corresponding carbon benefit.
We also see less failure of assets with our teams picking up more on potential failures such as interruptions to supply and water quality issues. Our maintenance programmes are becoming less reactive and more proactive.
The process is incremental, and it is important to focus on areas that will drive the most benefit. Now we understand the potential of digital technologies, it is about how we embrace it, deploy it and keep the workforce engaged around transformation.
March 2022 | 5
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48 |
Page 49 |
Page 50 |
Page 51 |
Page 52 |
Page 53 |
Page 54 |
Page 55 |
Page 56 |
Page 57 |
Page 58 |
Page 59 |
Page 60 |
Page 61 |
Page 62 |
Page 63 |
Page 64 |
Page 65 |
Page 66 |
Page 67 |
Page 68 |
Page 69 |
Page 70 |
Page 71 |
Page 72 |
Page 73 |
Page 74 |
Page 75 |
Page 76 |
Page 77 |
Page 78 |
Page 79 |
Page 80 |
Page 81 |
Page 82 |
Page 83 |
Page 84
