WRc share in Ofwat funding for 'Designer Liner' project led by Yorkshire Water

Published on: 17 May 2023

Dr Leo Carswell is our expert in Technology and Innovation

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WRc’s Leo Carswell, Andy Godley and Steve Webber are delighted to share our involvement in a project which has received funding as part of the Ofwat Innovation Challenge - ‘Designer Liner’ led by Yorkshire Water.

The announcement was made as part of Utility Week Live (16th May 2023), where Ofwat announced the 16 winners of the Water Breakthrough Challenge who share in approximately £40 million. As a recipient of funding for the ‘Transform’ Stream (Breakthrough 3), this winning project has been recognised as delivering long-term operational resilience and understanding infrastructure risks to customers and the environment, finding solutions to mitigate these in sustainable and efficient ways.

The innovation is a collaboration between Dwr Cymru Cyfyngedig (Welsh Water), NCC, P. Clisham Consulting Ltd, RPS, Scottish Water, SES Water Plc, Thames Water Utilities Limited, Watershed Associates Ltd, WRc, and Yorkshire Water Services Limited to develop a pipe lining solution that is fit for a 21st century water network and complements other technologies, like smart networks and devices.

Water pipes are often underground and at mercy of the elements – meaning that they are prone to leaks and bursts. Repairing and replacing water pipes is costly, so one way to reduce issues and prolong the lifespan of a pipe is to line it and add an extra layer of protection. Pipe lining is 50% cheaper than more traditional methods, it generates less carbon and reduces disruption for customers because there’s less need to dig up the road.

Leo Carswell, Principal Consultant of Technology and Innovation at WRc, shares the team’s excitement after hearing the great news;

We are pleased to be a collaborator of this exciting project shaping the future of pipeline rehabilitation technologies. With big ambitions its definitely a project to keep an eye on.

Congratulations to all the latest winners of the Water Breakthrough Challenge. Find out more here: https://waterinnovation.challenges.org/

Leo and our wider Technical Consulting team are heavily involved in projects that deliver innovative, sustainable technology solutions for pipeline networks and the wider industry. Find out more here.

Created by potrace 1.16, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2019

Did you know?

WRc has a long history of and experience with lining certification. We use our extensive knowledge of the water industry and clean water systems for contractors looking to undertake the in-situ resin lining of water mains.

Accredited by UKAS, WRc is Water UK’s Nominated Certifying Body for the certification of contractors who wish to become / maintain approval as an Approved Contractor; as defined in the Water Industry Specification (WIS) 4-02-01 Operational Requirements: In situ resin lining of water mains.

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Created by potrace 1.16, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2019

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Dr Leo Carswell

Head of Technology

Leo's expertise lies in technology and innovation in the water sector, with projects including technology transfer between water and gas sectors. He also delivers guidance on applications and standards, and performs technology testing, approval and certification for our WRc Approved scheme. Leo has a PhD in instrumentation for water quality monitoring and has wide ranging experience in sensors and instrumentation for water, wastewater and environmental applications.

2023-05-17 11:05:00