Managing Complexity: Big Data underpinning environmental and economic sustainability in the UK water Industry

This studentship will use a case study approach to develop a new generation of data-oriented informatic tools for the management of the complex and multiple data underpinning total expenditure decision-making in the water utility sector. The proposed programme of research will focus on a comparative evaluation of existing multi-stakeholder tools for asset management planning and will develop a series of analytical tools, exploring contrasting technical and software approaches. The research will lead to an understanding of the range and applicability of multivariate analytic tools, and will ultimately assess how these complex outputs may be visualised such that customer-driven outcomes are derived and management decision-making is supported. Data will be drawn from case studies drawing on the Atkins UK and EU water industry networks.
Specific case studies for this research will derive from the UK Chemical Investigations Programme (CIP) (£35m) research innovation programme (2010-2013), managed by Atkins and informing UK and EU chemical regulation under the Water Framework Directive (https://www.ukwir.org/site/web/news/news-items/ukwir-chemicals-investigation-programme). Working with Defra, UK Environment Agency, UK Water Industry and Ofwat, and in response to emergent legislation on surface water quality, CIP sought to gain better understanding of the occurrence, behaviour and management of trace contaminants in wastewater treatment process and in effluents. CIP has generated a vast and varied body of data that now paves the way in this study for the development of tools for rational prioritisation of future actions, supporting a transparent and informed discussion of the available options required to manage trace substances in the water environment. Further to this, Atkins are also now supporting the UKWIR 'follow-on' programme (£120m) of UK innovation, embracing environmental challenges, technological development and economic decision-making. Additional case studies can draw from this programme, providing a basis for further integrated analytical tools. The outline for multivariate analysis tools linked to visualisation of outputs in this arena will be used to inform outcomes and to explore opportunities in the water sector.
A unique aspect of this project is that it will seek to inform the UK water industry as to the options and opportunities for meeting EU and UK environmental drivers and, due to its economic implications, it will also inform the introduction of competition into the UK water market. Therefore the proposed case studies approach should prove of significant importance to the UK on both an environmental and economic level.