WATERLINE Virtual Forum Drives Digital Innovation in UK Water Management
The future of water management is here. The Centre for Water Systems (CWS) at the University of Exeter (UNEXE) recently hosted the WATERLINE Virtual Forum on April 28th and 29th, bringing together leading experts from across the UK and Europe to explore cutting-edge digital technologies and strategies for building a more resilient and efficient water sector.
Driving Digital Transformation in Water Management
The event brought together a wide range of stakeholders including academics, businesses, water companies, local authorities, and community representatives from organizations like MCAST, Cetaqua, Centre for Research & Technology Hellas, KWR Water Research Institute, British Geological Survey, ARGANS, South West Water, Jacobs, Devon County Council, Torbay Council and Westcountry Rivers Trust.
The forum focused on how innovative solutions like digital twins – virtual replicas of our water systems that use real-time data to predict challenges and optimise operations – are revolutionising the way we manage this vital resource.
Driving Digital Transformation in Water Management
The event brought together a wide range of stakeholders including academics, businesses, water companies, local authorities, and community representatives from organizations like MCAST, Cetaqua, Centre for Research & Technology Hellas, KWR Water Research Institute, British Geological Survey, ARGANS, South West Water, Jacobs, Devon County Council, Torbay Council and Westcountry Rivers Trust.
The forum focused on how innovative solutions like digital twins – virtual replicas of our water systems that use real-time data to predict challenges and optimise operations – are revolutionising the way we manage this vital resource.
Highlights from Day 1: Exploring the Digital Landscape
The forum's first day focused on the current landscape of digital innovation in water management, featuring presentations and insights on emerging technologies, digital twin applications, effective data management ecosystems, and the challenges of commercialising new solutions.
The first day explored the current state of digital innovation in water management. Attendees heard presentations on emerging technologies, data management ecosystems, and the challenges of bringing new solutions to market, including:
Data Management Ecosystems
Dr Gerasimos Antzoulatos (Centre for Research & Technology Hellas), the coordinator of the WATERVERSE project, demonstrated the Water Data Management Ecosystems (WDME) developed in WATERVERSE.
Digital Transition
Dr Lydia Vamvakeridou-Lyroudia (CWS, KWR Water Research Institute & ICT4Water ) emphasised the critical need for digital transformation within the water sector.
Highlights from Day 2: Practical Applications & Funding Opportunities
The second day, a hybrid event in collaboration with the IDEATION project, focused on practical applications, fostering collaboration, and identifying funding avenues. Sessions included:
Coastal Water Management
Dr Kate Baker (CWS) led an analysis of digital twin use cases for coastal water management within IDEATION.
Matching Industrial Needs and Research Advancements
Prof Albert Chen (CWS) facilitated a discussion on connecting digital water research with industrial requirements.
Funding Landscape
Prof Slobodan Djordjević (CWS) provided an overview of funding opportunities from the UK and EU, and explored possible collaborations among the participants.
"The WATERLINE Virtual Forum successfully connected various stakeholders and demonstrated the incredible potential of digital innovation to transform water management in the UK.", said Prof Albert Chen @CWS
