Partnership plans access to global expert network for water firms Down Under

A new partnership between technology and business consultancies Isle and ThinkPlace along with the Water Services Association of Australia (WSAA) plans to create a programme to build a global network of expertise to enable water companies of all sizes to address their challenges.

.Executive director of WSAA, Adam Lovell (pictured) said the programme, called W-Lab “has the potential to launch WSAA and our members into a global network which will drive innovative technological solutions to overcome future industry challenges. W-Lab will offer even more opportunities for utilities to collaborate through access to Isle’s global database of technologies from industry sectors all over the world and I would encourage all of our WSAA members to participate in our W-Lab programme.”

WSAA said more than 20 of its members have already signed up for the W-Lab programme which launched in March 2020.

Chief technology officer Dr Alex Cech, at Isle Utilities (Asia-Pacific) said Isle’s experts work with 350 water businesses and more than 6,500 technology providers worldwide. “Our local team will work closely and collaboratively with water utilities of all shapes, sizes and localities across Australia and New Zealand. Manager of science, research and innovation at Sydney Water, Dr Nicola Nelson, said, “W-Lab will raise awareness of technology options for the Australian and New Zealand water industry and facilitate technology adoption, with the aim of improving customer experience and value.”

Founder and global partner at ThinkPlace, Dr Nina Terrey, said Isle and ThinkPlace combined have a team of 200 spanning six continents and 13 countries with 100 in Australia and New Zealand. “The team’s breadth of experience means we are big enough to give water utilities access to global innovation experience and capabilities, and small enough to provide local context,” she said.