With AMP8 now underway for English and Welsh water companies, and with Scottish Water well into the throes of SR21– it is clear that, across the board, the need to make effective decisions, prioritising investment in assets where it is needed most, is key. The UK & Irish water industries rely on highly distributed asset bases which require constant maintenance and development for effective functioning. However, until now, accurate data regarding the relative health of assets has been lacking, leading to low trust in some data areas.

To aid asset managers in making a robust business case for data improvement, our recent project – 25/RG/05/60: Criticality and value of data in asset management decision making – has created a framework for understanding and valuing data confidence and improvements, helping water companies to improve asset management decision making. Data accuracy is particularly vital within the context of an increasingly uncertain future, where extreme weather events, rising temperatures and growing populations place even greater strain on the UK & Ireland’s ageing asset base.

To meet this urgent industry need, the project developed a Data Confidence Index and a Value of Information Framework to enhance data quality and reliability, helping water companies make more informed, confident, and cost-effective decisions.

Expert research teams at Arup and Arc designed these tools to:

• Identify and prioritise data quality issues;
• Be accessible, meaningful, and not overly complex;
• Quantify the benefits of data improvements;
• Integrate into existing decision support tools and data management systems;
• Be aligned with strategic planning and operational timescales

How does this research benefit the industry?

These tools are critical in improving operational efficiency, enhancing cost-effective decision making and supporting the industry’s regulatory compliance, as well as enhancing reporting.

“In its simplest form, good asset management is about making better – best value, not necessarily lower cost – decisions. Understanding the competing demands of customer needs, environmental responsibility, and affordability is vital for delivering long-term value. Data-driven decisions, educated by good information, with that long-term interest at heart, are vital for understanding how you can deliver value most effectively.”

Ian Nicholson,

Head of Asset Lifecycle and Systems, United Utilities

This project falls under UKWIR’s 4th strategic research theme, ‘Resilient infrastructure systems’:

To read the report, click here.

Ove Arup & Partners Ltd was the main contractor for this project with significant contributions from Adrian Rees Consulting Ltd. The UKWIR Programme Lead was Ben Ward, South West Water, and UKWIR’s Project Manager was Bruce Horton. The Project Steering Group was comprised of representatives from all 18 UK & Irish water companies.