NI Water is part of a team who has just secured £3.5 million to drive forward carbon reduction within the water industry. 

The utility partnered with Anglian Water on the winning submission of the Water Breakthrough Challenge, which tackles the biggest challenges facing water and wastewater services, including net zero, reducing leakage, protecting natural ecosystems, and using open data to deliver value to customers, society, and the environment.

Commenting on the success of the submission, Damien O'Mullan, Head of Energy, NI Water, said: "NI Water was delighted to be invited to partner with Anglian Water on their winning submission to drive forward carbon reduction within the water industry. 

"Climate change does not respect national or institutional boundaries, therefore, neither should the response. The partnership is an excellent example of industry coming together to innovate and collaborate to address the challenge of climate change together."

Entries to the Water Breakthrough Challenge were encouraged from water companies in England and Wales in partnerships with organisations in and outside the water sector, including universities and institutes, retailers, start-ups, or small businesses in sectors such as energy, manufacturing, health, or financial services.

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Adam Brookes, Manager of Innovation Discovery, Anglian Water, commented: "Funding for this project will greatly support the delivery of our own net zero routemap and the water sector's drive to Net Zero by 2030, filling a significant missing piece in the challenge. By collaborating with academia, businesses and other water companies, our project creates an elegant solution to eliminate part of the greenhouse gas emissions associated with wastewater treatment and position the sector within the developing hydrogen landscape, in line with the newly launched UK Government Hydrogen strategy."

John Russell, Senior Director at Ofwat added: "From Airbus and Microsoft to the Zoological Society of London and the River Trust, the Water Breakthrough Challenge has led to the formation of exciting partnerships with water companies to improve services for customers and improve the environmental footprint of the sector. Each of the winners contribute to the resilience, sustainability and effectiveness of the water sector in the years to come for the benefit of customers across the country. Thank you to the independent judging panel for its challenge and insight in recommending these impressive winners."

The Water Breakthrough Challenge contributes to economic water regulator Ofwat's goal of creating an innovative and collaborative water sector that can meet the needs of customers, society, and the environment into the future. The Challenge funds initiatives that water companies would otherwise be unable to invest in or explore. 

A second Water Breakthrough Challenge will open for entries on 11 October 2021 to provide funding for further innovative water sector initiatives. Up to £35 million will be available to be shared between entries that deliver benefits for water customers, society and the environment.