Northumbrian Water has secured over £10 million in funding for innovative projects designed to significantly improve wastewater operations and customer service delivery. This investment stems from successful bids in the Water Breakthrough Challenge, a pioneering competition led by water regulator OFWAT.

The funding will support the development and implementation of a range of cutting-edge technologies, including:

• River Deep Mountain AI: This £5.1 million project will focus on the creation of AI-powered information gathering tools to promote healthier rivers and marine environments.
• Pipebot Patrol: Receiving £1.6 million, this project will develop sewer-crawling robots for continuous pipe inspection and proactive blockage detection.
• METREAU: Funded at a similar level, METREAU aims to reduce energy consumption and carbon footprint within wastewater treatment processes. This project will mark the first commercial-scale deployment of microbial electrochemical technologies.
• Support for All Phase 2: A £2 million renewal has been granted for the second phase of this initiative. Support for All strives to establish a centralized approach to customer assistance, with a particular focus on aiding vulnerable individuals.

Commenting on the successful funding bids, Angela MacOscar, Head of Innovation at Northumbrian Water Group, stated, "Each of these four projects represents a significant advancement within its respective field. We are immensely proud that all our proposals received recognition and financial backing."

This investment underscores Northumbrian Water's commitment to driving innovation within the water industry. The successful projects hold the potential to revolutionize wastewater management practices, enhance customer service experiences, and promote environmental sustainability.