Recent Ofwat reports indicate that 86% of the UK’s rivers fail to meet a ‘good’ ecological status, and a staggering 52% of the public distrust water companies’ efforts in environmental protection. With rivers facing severe ecological challenges and communities worried about water quality and public health, there has never been a more critical time to rebuild trust.
The Environment Act 2021, specifically Section 82, represents the government’s attempt to bring transparency and accountability to water quality monitoring by providing near-real-time data on the impacts of discharge points from water companies. This is a significant enhancement over the current Event Duration Monitoring (EDM), which merely indicates if a discharge point is spilling but not what it is spilling.
Water companies now have a choice. If they approach Section 82 monitoring with the same ‘end-of-pipe’ compliance mindset as EDM, they can’t expect a different outcome: compliance, but very low levels of public trust in their environmental stewardship. However, if they seize this as a genuine opportunity to rebuild public trust through academically verified data, third-party data hosting, community engagement, predictive analysis, and a genuine commitment to addressing the identified issues, this could be a turning point for the industry.
At Additive Catchments, we go beyond traditional approaches to rebuild public trust. Our innovative CMaaS® (Catchment Monitoring as a Service) solution is at the forefront of engaging with communities and building trust in water companies. This solution isn’t just about data – it’s about reconnecting communities with their local water resources.
Collaboration with NGOs and Local Community Groups
Effective water management starts with understanding and addressing community concerns. Our CMaaS® solution reconnects communities with their local water resources, fostering a sense of ownership and responsibility.
We’re all about joining forces for the greater good. We work closely with NGOs and local community groups to engage and adapt our solutions to specific regional needs. These partnerships are crucial in fostering transparency and accountability, as they allow us to align our efforts with community priorities and expectations.
Remember, when it comes to protecting our water, we’re all in this together.
Market Research and Public Trust
We believe that effective water management starts with understanding community needs. That’s why we’ve launched comprehensive market research studies to explore public trust in water management. By digging deep into community concerns and expectations, we’re able to tailor our approach for maximum impact.
Powerful Public Mobile App
Ever fancied yourself as an environmental detective? Well, now’s your chance! We’ve developed a user-friendly mobile app that empowers communities to participate actively in monitoring their local environments. By enabling real-time data collection and sharing, we enhance public engagement and foster a sense of ownership and responsibility towards local water bodies.
Academic Assurance on Data Quality
When it comes to data, we don’t mess around. We’ve partnered with the University of Plymouth to ensure our data is to the highest standard. This collaboration provides independent verification and assurance, reinforcing the credibility of our data and analyses. Our partnership with the University of Plymouth highlights our commitment to maintaining rigorous data integrity – for water companies and the public.
Will Blake, Professor of Catchment Science at the School of Geography, Earth and Environmental Sciences at the University of Plymouth, added: “Providing academic assurance on data quality is crucial for maintaining public trust in environmental monitoring. Our partnership with Additive Catchments ensures that the data collected is of the highest standard, giving communities confidence in the information they rely on for decision-making.”
Rob Passmore, CEO of Additive Catchments, said: “Building public trust is fundamental to our mission at Additive Catchments. By integrating advanced technologies with community engagement, we aim to create a transparent and accountable environmental monitoring system. Our CMaaS solution not only provides reliable data but also empowers communities to be actively involved in preserving their local environments.”
By combining cutting-edge technology, rigorous academic standards, and community engagement, we’re creating a new model for environmental monitoring. It’s about more than just collecting data – it’s about fostering trust, encouraging participation, and building a more sustainable future for our water resources.
Let’s rebuild trust together. Get in touch to see how our fresh approach to water management can work for your community.