A groundbreaking project to help keep utility workers safe has won two prizes at the Water Industry Forum Awards.
Northumbrian Water has developed a National Underground Asset Register (NUAR), which is a digital map of all pipes and cables hidden under the ground – showing utility workers the exact location and layout of what’s under their feet.
This helps to reduce the time taken to carry out excavation work and the amount of potentially deadly utility strikes.
Over four million holes are dug across the UK every year, and NUAR will help ensure that the number of utility strikes is significantly reduced, saving the UK economy up to £1.2billion.
The idea – devised at the company’s Innovation Festival in 2017 – is now being delivered on a national scale after being adopted by the Government.
The project was given the societal impact award, and the prize for best overall innovation.
Angela MacOscar, Head of Innovation at Northumbrian Water, and Clive Surman-Wells, who has led on the project since inception, accepted the awards on behalf of the company.
Angela said: “The NUAR project really is the jewel in our innovation crown, and I am absolutely thrilled that it has been recognised by the Water Industry Forum at these prestigious awards.
“It started as a seed of an idea with us at our Innovation Festival, and now it is just growing from strength to strength – and we are all incredibly proud of it.
“Not only does this project make a difference to our customer services, but it can also be used to help and keep our people safe, which is ultimately the most important thing.
“So, just a huge thank you to the Water Industry Forum for inviting us to be a part of the event.”
This year’s Innovation Festival in July will look at topics such as safety, water scarcity and water poverty. More details at innovationfestival.org
