According to the company’s 25 year Strategic Statement, investment in new technology such as sensors and monitors, will enable it to improve the reliability of water supplies by helping it to identify and repair burst mains before they cause problems.

The utility company also plans to invest in renewable energy generation – for example, through combined heat and power production and generation of power from the flow of water through its works.

In addition, the statement, which seeks to address the concerns of its customers across the South East after six months of consultation and research, states how it will explore the use of its wastewater treatment works to generate power from other sources such as food waste.

The company states: “We will deliver integrated solutions that consider rainwater, rivers, groundwater, drainage from land or roads and wastewater to more effectively manage water in our environment.

This will make more water available for drinking, help manage flooding and protect the environment and keep bills to a minimum.

“We will re-use water sustainably and continue to develop ways of generating more ‘green’ power from sludge treatment. This will save money by avoiding the need for traditional electricity or fuel,” the company added.

Looking further ahead, the company has committed to exploring low-carbon treatment technology to reduce its energy needs.

In addition, it will explore innovative approaches to energy generation from its operational processes, such as heat capture from wastewater treatment.

Conor McGlone

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