Costain and WSP have secured funding for WISDOM, an innovative AI-powered platform aimed at improving data efficiency and accuracy in the water sector, set to deliver significant savings during AMP8.
Costain and WSP, prominent players in infrastructure solutions and engineering, have been awarded funding by Northumbrian Water to develop an innovative AI-powered platform aimed at enhancing data efficiency and accuracy. This initiative marks a significant advancement in the methods used by the water sector for managing capital projects, particularly for the upcoming Asset Management Period 8 (AMP8).
The newly funded project is centred around the creation of WISDOM – Wastewater Insights for Standardisation, Delivery, Operation and Maintenance. This platform utilises generative AI to systematically capture, organise, and analyse extensive datasets from multiple sources. The goal is to establish a robust and intelligent database to support operational assets and improve project delivery outcomes.
With AMP8 expected to involve a substantial increase in investment compared to AMP7, Northumbrian Water anticipates a heightened need for managing larger and more intricate datasets. The investment programme aims to accommodate a surge in asset interventions, necessitating an efficient system for data processing to meet compliance requirements. The WISDOM platform is designed to offer comprehensive insights into the performance of operational assets, supporting capital delivery teams by minimising the time spent on data entry and analysis. Remarkably, wastewater works managers currently spend as much as 45% of their workweek on these tasks. It is projected that the platform could save Northumbrian Water in excess of £10 million over the AMP8 period by streamlining these processes.
This AI-driven solution emerged from the Northumbrian Water Innovation Festival, where Costain and WSP were tasked with innovating the design and construction of wastewater assets for AMP8. The collaboration between these companies is set to deliver crucial infrastructure enhancements for the upcoming investment programme.
Gavin Stonard, the framework director at Costain, highlights the challenges posed by AMP8, noting the unprecedented volume of data required for design, operational, and compliance activities. He emphasised that existing techniques would be insufficient, and the new generative AI technology developed with WSP and Northumbrian Water promises to deliver information more efficiently. Stonard stressed the potential impact of this pioneering solution in the water sector, anticipating improvements in productivity and delivery times along with better service outcomes for customers.
Michelle Johnson, WSP’s technical director, recognised the complexities faced by Northumbrian Water and the necessity for fresh, innovative approaches. The company explored how new technologies, such as generative AI, could be integrated into capital delivery processes. Johnson expressed optimism about the proof-of-concept stage for WISDOM and its potential to generate significant savings and efficiencies throughout AMP8.
Richard Seales, head of engineering at Northumbrian Water, praised the collaborative effort of Costain and WSP, whose energy and innovative thinking stood out at the Innovation Festival. He underscored the platform’s potential to address significant challenges not only for Northumbrian Water but for the wider water sector as well.
This development signifies a forward-thinking shift in how infrastructure projects are approached and managed, with Northumbrian Water leading the way in embracing cutting-edge technologies to meet future demands.
Source: Noah Wire Services
