UK Water sector launches innovation accelerator

A newly formed innovation accelerator has been launched today by the UK water sector.

Spring will bring stakeholders together from across academia, the supply chain and water companies to deliver better value for customers as well as better outcomes for society and the environment. Spring will redefine what the UK water industry is known for internationally and, working alongside UK Water Industry Research (UKWIR), will help facilitate collaboration, innovation and knowledge sharing.

Mott MacDonald is one of the five founding bid members of Spring, alongside Capgemini, Jacobs, RSK and Schneider Electric.

“We’re proud to be a founding member of Spring at this crucial time for the water industry,” said Sally Watson, technical excellence and digital lead for water and environment at Mott MacDonald. “The water sector faces a number of challenges and opportunities, from its net-zero ambitions to adapting to a changing climate, which require new ideas and new ways of working.”

The Water Innovation 2050 Strategy, published by UKWIR in 2020, outlined the major innovation challenges across the sector and found gains could be made by approaching these collaboratively. Spring is designed to be an enabler of this strategy and is focused on addressing the challenges it sets out.

“Spring is the missing piece of the puzzle,” said Sally. “On one hand, you have a water industry facing huge challenges, on the other are the innovators and problem solvers. Spring will act as the link between the two. We will demystify the sector for innovators, open communication lines, signpost accessible funding, explain standards and provide mentoring. We will help communicate the specific challenges and opportunities the water industry faces, and provide a platform via which solutions can be pitched directly.”

In 2021, Mott MacDonald celebrated 100 years of working in water and the firm’s This is the Future campaign outlined what the water industry could look like in 2040.