Resilient Water Futures
United Utilities are excited to be a part of the International Water Association (IWA) World Water Congress and Exhibition in Toronto this year. Being in the midst of developing our business plans for the next 5 years and with Glasgow being chosen to host the IWA conference in 2026, it is a great time for the UK water sector to showcase the industry leading innovations and capital projects it is embarking on, whilst also opening the floor for discussions on the current challenges we face and challenges that may be on the horizon.
A key theme for the UK Pavilion this year, one which United Utilities’ is proud to be contributing to, is Resilient Water Futures. Ensuring resilient water and wastewater services across the UK has never been more important. As a sector, we need to maintain resilient to a host of short- and long-term pressures, ranging from climate change and population growth to emerging contaminants, legislation changes, network outages and cyber security.
In preparation for the UK Pavilion, United Utilities alongside other U.K water companies have come together to draw out three key messages relating to the theme of Resilient Water Futures, notably, how the sector can continue to build resilience. These key messages relate to applying a systems approach, having people including the workforce and the communities we serve at the centre of decision making, and the importance of collaborative working both within and outside the sector.
SYSTEMS RESILIENCE – As an industry we need to continue to apply a whole system approach for resilience. We need to look beyond individual assets to take account of cascade failure risk and interdependent risks, ensuring we achieve resilience in the round and continue to deliver a reliable water and wastewater service for customers and communities.
PEOPLE CENTRIC – Resilience needs to have people as a central focus. Customer engagement, workforce capability and affordability are some of things that need to be considered to meet the needs of communities both now and into the future.
COLLABORATIVE WORKING – Achieving resilience cannot be done whilst working in silos. Water and wastewater services interconnect with other utilities and underpin public health and wellbeing. Water companies, government and regulators need to work with a variety of stakeholders to maintain resilient public services for customers and communities.
We have several ‘best practice’ and often industry leading case studies lined up for the UK Pavilion, demonstrating what is happening across the sector to remain resilient. We are excited to share these with attendees and are looking forward to the insightful conversations that these spark!