Anglian sets out five-point innovation plan

Anglian Water has called for stakeholder support, increased public awareness and a circular approach to treatment in a five-point innovation plan that sets out how it will tackle core challenges the company faces.

The five key points are: reaching its 2030 net zero goals; delivering healthy rivers; future-proofing resources; optimising infrastructure and leakage; and adapting to a changing climate.

Peter Simpson, chief executive described innovation within Anglian as “a mindset, not an output” that is central to how the company works.

Describing a perfect storm of climate change together with growing demands for water, food and energy that put pressure on resources, Simpson said: “I have total faith that as a sector, and as individual companies, we can and will address all of the big challenges we face.”

2030 net zero

The plan set out Anglian’s innovations around addressing whole life carbon and tackling process emissions from wastewater treatment and called on government to deliver supportive policy and regulatory framework. In particular, Anglian said support for biomethane to grid via the Renewable Heat Incentive and Green Gas Levy was important as well as revising grid connection charges to ensure projects can be financeable.

It said water efficiency should be included in the successor to the Green Homes Grant and domestic consumers should be encouraged by energy companies to use less hot water to reduce their bills and carbon footprint.

Improving river water quality

Anglian plans to have monitors fitted to all of its combined sewer overflows (CSOs) by next year to track their activity and install extra storm water storage capacity at 110 of its wastewater processing centres by 2025.

It called for a focus on chalk streams, the reintroduction of beavers to improve river health, and integrated water management plans.

Together with Severn Trent, Anglian unveiled commitments to protect rivers this week.

Future-proofing water resources

Anglian called for “much tighter” building regulations for water use in homes and building developments as well as support for water neutral developments to minimise demand with efficiency and water reuse methods employed. This will be essential to manage the added demand from homebuilding plans in the east of England where water resources are predicted to be insufficient to meet demand.

Innovating on leakage and infrastructure optimisation

Anglian said it has invested significantly in reducing leakage, which is core to all water companies business plans for 2020 to 2025. It is using fibre optics, drones and satellite technology to identify leaks and in its pressure management and system optimisation to calm networks and prevent leaks from starting in the first place.

The company’s midterm plan includes rolling out smart meters across its network by 2030 and bringing an end to leaking toilets that waste 200-400 litres of water each day.

Adapting to climate change and delivering resilience

Anglian called for collaboration from different sectors and organisation to bring climate adaptation to the forefront. It said adaptation needs to be higher on the agenda of COP27 in Egypt this November.

Terms such as resilience should be made clear for customers and other stakeholder organisations so everyone can play a part in preparing for a drier future, the plan stated.