Tetra Tech’s Dr. Joe Sanders, senior technical director, explains why a “One Water,” data‑led, and systems thinking approach is needed to deliver more with less and outlines how holistic planning can turn strategic ambitions into practical, cost‑effective actions.
The 2024 Price Review (PR24) is likely to be a watershed moment for the water industry in the UK. Early customer engagement has shown that between 2025 and 2030, the price of water for the UK population will go up by 20-40%.
This data comes on the back of a cost-of-living crisis that looks unlikely to end any time soon. This combined with a deteriorating asset base both on the potable and waste network, cracking under the seams with increased pressure on the networks. When considered against the background of increased expectations of customers and special interest groups as well as corporate pay and dividends, it is obvious that things have to change.
Changes needed for meaningful impact
It is likely that the PR24 final determinations will mean that water companies will need to do more with less. This is nothing new, and has the hallmarks of the last 7 AMPs since privatisation. However, the pressures this time around will be acute beyond anything previously seen. The Water Industry National Environment Programme (WINEP) has seen that significant investment will be required to reduce sewer discharges into UK rivers. The resources management plans have also shown a significant increase in investment to meet national targets around consumption and leakage. Can all of these things really be achieved?
At Tetra Tech, we think the question should be “How can this be achieved?” Siloed solutions are not the answer as they will cause inefficient investment, increased carbon and an increased likelihood of failure, as well as environmental and social impacts that will make underlying issues even harder to resolve. We believe that the use of live data and a holistic approach allows for better efficiency, whilst achieving the delivery of regulatory and stakeholder outputs.
One Water is our holistic approach at Tetra Tech. It is a mantra of systems, data-led thinking, to identify root cause and using this to look at solutions that solve multiple problems efficiently, as well as a recognition of any action in one area of the water cycle can have an impact in another area.
Our water experts look forward to assisting our clients as they finish the development of their business plans, working with them to turn strategic ambitions into tactical solutions and operational results.
About the author
Dr. Joseph Sanders
Joe has over 15 years’ experience working in the water industry as an academic, water company employee, and consultant.
He is a technical director in the UK focused on clean water in the areas of asset management, leakage, water resources, and network optimisation. He has extensive knowledge of leakage assessment, reporting, and calculation techniques. His experience includes network failure and consequence modelling and developing cost benefit optimisation of water network strategies for both capital and operation interventions. He recently co-authored the UK Water “A Leakage Routemap to 2050”, setting out the needs of the industry for the next 25 years. He is a chartered engineer and water and environmental manager. Joe is a Fellow of CIWEM and sits on their Water Resources Panel.