Picture above: Kielder Dam © Russel Wills
Project background
As part of the Northumbrian Water 2025 Innovation Festival, we were invited to join the 'Grey to Green' design sprint sponsored by Jacobs, Stantec, and Aqua Consultants to explore how to make ageing infrastructure more sustainable.
Indeed, with more than 100,000 types of assets, many of which are both financially and ecologically taxing, Northumbrian Water wants a new way forward. The challenge: how could existing assets be managed in a greener, more sustainable way?
from ageing assets to greener futures
practical pathways to greener decisions, standards, and outcomes
Client
Northumbrian Water, Jacobs, Stantec & Aqua Consultants
Focus
Asset & Infrastructure Management
Our approach
Over the month preceding the Festival, we designed and then facilitated a four-day design sprint to tackle this ambitious question. Given the scale and variety of assets, it was impossible to zoom in on just one.
Instead, we encouraged the group to take a step back and view the challenge from a systems-wide perspective, developing a strategic approach to greener assets. Through collaboration and co-creation, we shaped practical, forward-looking ideas with clear pathways to implementation.
Impact delivered
The sprint resulted in the design of a comprehensive Asset Greening Programme to guide Northumbrian Water and its partners. This included:
Creation of 'Green Pages' to support technicians and engineers in making greener decisions on the spot.
A green procurement strategy to embed sustainability in purchasing and supply chain practices.
Development of green engineering standards, supported by an ECO-meter to assess and guide greener solutions across the organisation.
Measurement and monitoring of existing assets to track their health and ecological performance across their lifecycle.
An education plan designed to engage colleagues, stakeholders, customers, and schools in greener asset management.
A 'Green Bill' to communicate direct benefits to customers and help them make informed, sustainable choices.
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