GHD

How can we stop spills by developing a fast, easy and data-driven solution for intelligent asset planning and operations?

Challenge 

When it rains a lot, our drains and pipes can get too full - and that can lead to dirty water (called “spills”) going into rivers. Yuck! With changing weather patterns and pressure on our wastewater infrastructure, stopping these spills (and the headlines we see in the news!) is more important than ever.

Right now, each water company is testing different ideas in small areas. But there’s a problem . . .

❌ They don’t have an easy way to compare what works best

❌ Some don’t have fancy computer models

❌ It's hard to know what would work in your town

That’s where GHD comes in — harnessing data, smart tech and local voices to stop spills before they start.

Proposal

GHD invite you to come play and help us at the Northumbrian Water Innovation Festival! We’re running a special Sprint to figure out the best ways to stop spills — we want to develop a fast, easy and data-driven solution for intelligent asset planning and operations.

Together, we’ll design a set of catchment level data-driven solutions that can help water teams pick the right interventions to stop spills — like building a big tank, a mini wetland, or something totally new!

We anticipate this will be driven by:

• Spill data and rainfall information
• Customer information (e.g., complaints)
• Geospatial asset and community data
• Asset condition records
• Asset maintenance records
• Real-time control and SCADA feeds
• Live and historic weather and rainfall data

And maybe even more!

This sprint will focus on:

Genuinely and rapidly getting to the heart of what it takes to deliver zero spills at catchment level. We will consider customers, processes, funding, regulation, change, data, technology, AI, blockchain, NO STONE WILL BE LEFT UNTURNED!

How Does It Help Everyone?

 For Water Companies

✔️ Screen/ test ideas fast

✔️ No need for complex models

✔️ Choose what fits each place

✔️ Share results across the UK

For Communities

✔️ Cleaner rivers and streams

✔️ Better plans for your local area

✔️ Fairer decisions on spending

✔️ More nature-based options

Target Audience

This sprint is for:

• Water companies and innovation teams exploring spill reduction strategies
• Tech specialists interested in smart tools and low-code solutions
• Planners and modellers looking for quicker, scalable methods
• Community members who want cleaner local waterways
• Sustainability leaders aiming for smarter infrastructure
• Regulators and funding bodies backing real action for cleaner rivers and healthier places

What will we do (during and after festival)?

During Festival:

To ensure a shared understanding of the problem and opportunity, we will:

• Hear from experts on current spill reduction practices and tools
• Collaborate on the design of a flexible, user-friendly decision support tool
• Explore how cost, rainfall, and local data can feed into better solutions
• Define metrics to compare and test approaches in real life
• Create a roadmap to scale the tool across catchments and regions

After Festival:

Once tested in discrete catchments, the tool can be:

• Used by any water company
• Used by local champions and community groups
• Improved with real-life data
• Backed by funding for bigger applications and projects

A Future with Fewer Spills

By combining simple tools, smart ideas, and local insight, we can stop spills before they start — protecting rivers, empowering communities, and building a cleaner future for everyone.