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Water

Water companies have long held the vision to have the whole view of an asset: one unique identifier that links to water quality indicators, customer contact records, to be able to provide excellent customer service and to run the business efficiently and profitably. For this you need accurate and intelligent Geographic Data, you need precise and up-to-date addresses and you need alignment with other relevant datasets.

By using OS MasterMap to determine the replacement value of assets. Looking at the length of pipe and number of manhole and valves you can attribute with type of surface – A road, B road and so on, footpath, verge etc, all of which carry different excavation costs, from that, it’s an easy calculation on the asset replacement costs for the business.

Regulation

The main areas facing the Water Sector are regulatory returns including inundation flooding; carbon footprint impact and reduction including renewable energy; impact on natural environment; and, potential legislative changes on competition. When broken down into its component functions, asset locations, network performance, construction materials, design constraints and connectivity / schematic representation, geographic information is clearly identified as an asset. 

Historical records

It is common within construction environments for engineers to adopt standard or common design parameters and over specify the design to cover any unforeseen circumstances.  Having access to historical records on performance and maintenance history for different configurations of materials and regional conditions would allow more specific design constraints to be used. Therefore reducing the build and maintenance costs to the business, improving the long-term performance of assets and enabling a better return on investments.

Customer relations

The value of customer relations is immeasurable and forms a key component of any organisation’s strategy.  It is therefore essential that information gathered is channeled to the right parts of the business and staff dealing directly with the customer are provided with the most appropriate information available, Fundamentally, without accurately geo-coded addresses you cannot link the customers’ locations to the water network asset.

Value of information

The information required would include things such as the status of the network, planned works and their state, reported faults and their state, climatic conditions, customer information: special needs, if they are elderly, consumption and appliances. All of this data is tied to unique reference numbers in silos, OSMM data allows this data to be used cross function and to identify unbilled customers using the TOID link.

Key drivers within the water industry

  • Transfer of Private sewers
  • Investment on water – mains replacement to fix leaks and streetworks
  • Walker review for water meter charging
  • Flood and water Act 2010
  • Climate change
  • Water Framework Directive
  • Price control review PR09 - Ofwat published its final determinations of price
  • limits for 2010 to 2015 in November 2009
  • Flooding and protection

Carbon footprint impact and reduction – including renewable energy

There is growing social and political pressure to accelerate the move to a low carbon economy, to reduce carbon emissions and develop commercial low carbon technologies.  The water supply and sewerage sector represents around 1.8% of UK industry energy use accounting for around 3.2% of the UK’s total CO2 emissions every year.  The largest scope for energy saving is to reduce leakage - around 880 GWh/yr.

Water companies, like Anglian Water, have energy strategies in place to reduce carbon emissions, typically by 20% by the year 2010.  In many cases the energy strategy will focus on two key areas:

  • using less energy – implementation of projects designed to save or reduce the amount of electricity used;
  • renewable power generation – combined heat and power energy derived from engines driven by methane; and

  • wind power generation.

Impact on environment

Whilst flooding and surface water drainage is regulated, the Water Sector faces other social (educational and recreational) and environmental challenges.  Water companies have a duty to reduce contamination and impact on the environment balanced with improved access and facilities.  Water company Reservoirs not only bring vital water resources but they are great recreation areas offering opportunity for everyone to try water sports, bird watching, fishing, walking and cycling or to simply enjoy a relaxing day in attractive and interesting surroundings.  Most sites now offer access, car parks and walking routes whilst others offer toilets, cycle paths and cycle hire, cafes and even asset management and connections.

Case studies

1Spatial
Mike Sanderson from 1Spatial explains how to quickly and cheaply get a handle on private sewer assets and how they fit with the wider network.

United Utilities
Over 500 scientists, engineers, and technicians using OS MasterMap intelligent digital mapping and MapInfo location intelligence solutions as part of their daily work

Severn Trent Water
Our data enables Severn Trent Water to meet the performance-assessment targets set by Ofwat and places the company in a better position to comply with future legislation.

Yorkshire Water
Thanks to process improvements, Yorkshire Water have saved 200 man days in field visits, the equivalent of one full time person or £40 000.

Hartlepool Water
Even small organisations can benefit from using OS MasterMap and GIS.’

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For general enquiries, complaints, feedback or suggestions, email: customerservices@ordnancesurvey.co.uk or call us on 08456 05 05 05