The Water Services Association of Australia (WSAA) and Isle Utilities have extended their relationship through a new agreement.
WSAA and Isle Utilities have signed a new agreement to extend their relationship for another three years through the Technology Approval Group (TAG) program.
The TAG global program aims to accelerate the market uptake of ‘step-change’ technologies by engaging the industry during the pre-commercial stages of development and by leveraging external investment from venture capital investors.
TAG engages water utilities to provide a platform to evaluate emerging technologies and collaborate on projects including technology trials.
TAG is run by Isle Utilities on behalf of WSAA members and TAG Australia consists of more than 30 of Australia’s largest urban water utilities.
WSAA Executive Director, Mr Adam Lovell, said, “The TAG program has been a breakthrough, removing many of the challenges faced by water utilities in identifying and influencing technologies.
“WSAA is pleased to continue its role in conjunction with Isle Utilities by encouraging greater collaboration and cheaper subscriptions between members.”
Isle’s Chairman, Dr Piers Clark said, “This agreement is a great endorsement of the partnership that WSAA and Isle have developed over the past four years. We look forward to continuing our relationship, and together bringing even more innovative, game changing technologies to the Australian water sector.”
Mr Lovell said the signing of this new agreement follows the success of TAG in the Australian market over the last four years.
“During this time, over 80 Australian and international technologies have been presented to over 30 WSAA members through quarterly forums, with 50 per cent of these technologies then being installed by utilities,” Mr Lovell said.
Dr Clark said a key benefit for utilities is the ability to influence the final design of technologies through feedback at forums and trials, so the final product is best suited to their specific requirements.
Through the TAG process, utilities have participated in 40 individual and collaborative trials, which help validate the usefulness and suitability of the technology and aid transition to market.
TAG member, Unitywater, is seeing the benefits from new technology adopted through the TAG program.
Unitywater has adopted a number of innovative technologies from TAG trials ranging from ice pigging, a new way to clean water mains, to Cloevis chemical dosing, which is a cost effective nitrous free acid for controlling odours and corrosion in sewers.
Unitywater’s Executive Manager of Infrastructure Planning and Capital Delivery, Simon Taylor, said, “As a regulated business Unitywater needs to act prudently and efficiently in all of its business decisions.
“The TAG program helps utilities promote knowledge sharing and form partnerships with industry that ultimately deliver benefits to customers.”
Another TAG technology, SewerBatt, has been one of the most successful TAG trials to date.
SewerBatt is an easy to use, low cost acoustic condition assessment for sewer mains, and was collaboratively trialled by 10 utilities. After the trial, the SewerBatt technology was implemented by at least three utilities and is now helping to reduce operational costs associated with sewer inspection programs.
Through its global innovation forum, the Technology Approval Group (TAG), have a strong track record in identifying emerging technologies and accelerating their market uptake.
The program aims to revolutionise the way new technologies are adopted and commercialised- connecting expertise, investment and inspired ideas to bring them to life.
