The second phase of the Innovation hub to address Ireland's water infrastructure has been launched in the Nimbus Centre, Cork Institute of Technology.

The Water Systems and Services Innovation Centre (WSSIC) is a joint venture between Cork City Council, Cork County Council and the Nimbus Centre at Cork Institute of Technology. The WSSIC is on track to create an expert resource in modernising Ireland’s water infrastructure by taking advantage of Nimbus' technological expertise and leveraging both Councils’ experience in Water Resource operation.

Continuing the momentum of the successful first phase, the WSSIC Centre Manager will link closely with high potential businesses in the region to actively innovate and solve problems within the water sector. The WSSIC team evaluate new solutions in water and waste water management at the earliest possible stage and develop end-to-end solutions that show good evidence of high potential return on investment. The economic potential of this will be enormous, translating into profit for local business, providing employment and opportunity, while in tandem driving a clean environment agenda.

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The WSSIC is an excellent opportunity to showcase the innovation and leadership that Cork provides in terms of water management. These problems can be effectively addressed with the synergy of vast expertise and experience from the councils and industry in conjunction with the advanced technological capabilities of Nimbus.

Sean Sherlock TD, who was present at the launch, said: "This innovation hub will help provide better water services for the people of Ireland. In doing so, the innovation hub will create new, innovative, industry opportunities and jobs, while promoting Ireland as the sector leader on the European stage."

Dr Brendan Murphy, President of Cork Institute of Technology, was one of the main speakers at the launch. He said: "This exciting initiative is an example of CIT’s innovation ecosystem working for Ireland. Our goal is to take this into the Nation’s communities and create a new kind of innovation that impacts on our daily lives and inspires creativity."

The WSSIC will harness state-of-the-art technology, innovations and leadership in water quality monitoring, leakage reporting & repair, remote monitoring and much more. New ideas and technology developed in WSSIC can have global impact, positively influencing the major political, environmental and humanitarian issues caused by water supply and quality. The resulting advances will be rolled out across County Cork, with a view to deploying to all city and county councils in Ireland. Alongside more efficient water services and monitoring processes, the WSSIC will be used as a catalyst for the creation of new Irish-based enterprise and jobs.

(CD/MH)