UK Water Industry Research appoints Atkins to lead asset planning project

UK Water Industry Research (UKWIR) has appointed a consortium of industry experts led by Atkins, to develop its Future Asset Planning project.

The group, supported by Ovarro, the University of Manchester and Asset Resolutions, will work closely with the water sector to enable companies to improve their asset management decision making. The project will, according to UKWIR, improve industry-wide consistency in how it reaches investment decisions. It will be delivered through a series of sprints and is scheduled for completion by the end of 2021. The results will be shared with the industry and stakeholders throughout 2022.

The project is the largest of dozens being managed by UKWIR to answer its Big Questions – the water industry’s strategic research programme to deal with the challenges arising from climate change, population growth and the need for greater environmental protection.

UKWIR programme lead and strategic asset and investment manager at Anglian Water, Chris Royce, said “We need to improve how we predict future investment in our assets so our services remain sustainable and affordable.”

Market director – Water at Atkins, Richard Whale, said: “This research is key to helping the sector meet the various, interlinked challenges it faces and secure a sustainable, carbon net zero future.”