Last week, we attended the Safe Smart Systems (SSS) Partner Event in London where we saw just how far the project has come since its start in 2022.
Project overview
One of the largest projects funded by Ofwat’s Water Breakthrough Challenge 1, Safe Smart Systems is addressing some of the fundamental challenges facing our industry. Using data and smart technologies such as AI, we’re taking the first steps in building and implementing a fully autonomous water network that can continue to supply a clean, sustainable supply of water for generations to come.
With partnership and collaboration at the core, we’re working with lead delivery partner Jacobs and 26 additional partners from across the UK and global water industry, academia and technology sector and suppliers.
In addition to developing and implementing our system within our Shop Window of Ely and Newmarket, we’re creating a Playbook that will act as a ‘how to’ guide for the wider UK water industry. Some of the artefacts we have already developed such as our ‘Business Maturity Matrix’ have been tested and used by one of our UK water company partners, demonstrating their value even at this stage of the project.
Turning Concept into Reality
Now in Phase 3 of the project delivery, this event was about taking everything we have learned and developed so far and bringing it to life using real-life scenarios. Joined by colleagues who work on the frontline or in a control room environment, we were able to unveil the curtain on our first system prototype to our would-be end users.
With the help of the project team, partners were able to learn more about the capabilities and their associated benefits for operational teams. With teams present from across the water industry, we were able to identify further opportunities for scale and ensure we’re always thinking about how this may work for teams outside of our region.
Matt Hughes, Strategy Manager for Safe Smart Systems said: “With over twenty partners on the Safe Smart Systems project, getting everyone together is hugely important. This event marked a pivotal milestone for the project as we enter Phase 3 of delivery and begin to see concept become reality.
Engagement on the day was fantastic and I’d like to say a huge thanks to our partners for their time and contribution to the conversation. As a team, we’ve gathered valuable feedback and seen firsthand, the reception our system awaits from its target end-users.
It is clear there is a growing desire for a self-managing water network across the UK. With a growing number of challenges facing the water industry, it’s an exciting time to be at the forefront of a project that could improve resilience using data-driven technology.”
