In this episode of the WiseOnWater podcast, host Natasha Wiseman explores the real-world challenges and opportunities in asset management and capital delivery during a transformational period for the UK water sector.  

Dive into the complexities of strategic asset management, from the ”unsexy” but vital maintenance of Victorian pipes to the rollout of massive strategic resource options like new reservoirs and desalination. This episode examines how digital innovation, smart data, and long-term planning horizons are reshaping how utilities safeguard environmental stewardship and customer service in an era of intense cost and climate pressures. 

Guest 1: Dr Sian Thomas. Director of Strategic Asset Management at Anglian Water. With a Doctorate in Business Administration, Sian’s expertise lies in team collaboration within mega-projects. She leads the team responsible for Anglian’s 25-year plans, integrating future climate projections with today’s high-stakes investment decisions. 

Guest 2: Steve Plumb. Asset Strategy and Capital Delivery Director at Affinity Water, the UK’s largest water-only company. Steve oversees a diverse team of engineers and scientists. His remit spans asset management, water quality, and environmental restoration, alongside the delivery of critical strategic resource options designed to secure water supplies for future generations. 

Key takeaways 

• The scale of AMP8: Navigating the biggest capital programme in a generation and its implications for UK water. 

• Balancing ”asset health”: The challenge of funding essential maintenance for ageing assets alongside high-profile new infrastructure. 

• Digital-first strategies: How Anglian Water is leveraging smart meters and AI ”accelerators” to move from reactive to proactive management. 

• Future-proofing supply: Insights into the development of strategic pipelines, new reservoirs in the Fens and Lincolnshire, and the emergence of desalination in the UK. 

• Regulatory evolution: The potential impact of the Water Reform White Paper and the shift toward integrated, long-term planning horizons (5, 10, and 25 years). 

• The ”Value of Water”: Addressing the relationship between customer affordability, infrastructure investment, and the true cost of environmental protection. 

• Resilience defined: What it means for infrastructure to truly ”stand up” to the increasing frequency of extreme weather events. 

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