Mouchel teams up with SWW for K5 studies

The aim is for SWW to develop its approach to distribution studies from the current, static “snapshot” approach – with each asset on the network assessed once every five years – to a live system. This will provide an ongoing and constantly updated view of the network, highlighting sections that most need attention.

As well as helping to target investment during the K5 programme, the live system will act as an umbrella for SWW’s future business planning, combining performance data with predictive deterioration models to establish an effective approach to asset management.

Mouchel will not only continue the production of the distribution studies in the existing format, but work to develop the live system solution prior to its gradual introduction during the course of AMP5.

Improvements under the new system will include:

· Developing higher-quality, calibrated hydraulic models for a better understanding of where service levels are at risk of being inadequate

· A “viewer” interface to provide SWW users with themed geographic summaries of the live data accumulated

Simon Tomlinson, Mouchel’s divisional director, asset management and operations south, said: “We are delighted that our capability and experience of strategic asset management, hydraulic modelling and other distribution study types have been recognised by SWW as capable of turning its vision for distribution studies into a reality. We believe that this opportunity also reflects the strong and successful partnership we have established with SWW in supporting its AMP5 business planning activities.”

Phil Allen, SWW asset planning manager, said: “Having developed our vision for distribution studies and water network modelling, we are now very excited at the opportunities that it presents both in terms of operational information and investment planning.”