Northumbrian Water Innovation Festival 2025

A collaboration between innovation and community. The Festival plays a key part of the innovation work done by Northumbrian Water Group. The event welcome's innovators, disruptors and creators to show success in solving some the biggest challenges facing the water industry and beyond. This will be the ninth year at the Newcastle Racecourse where this years theme has been inspired to create a better future from the roots up - REGERNATION.

The challenge:
When heavy rain hits, our drains and pipes can overflow sending dirty water (called "spills") into our rivers. With changing weather and aging wastewater systems, tackling these spills is more urgent than ever. Water companies across the UK are testing new ideas in small areas, however there are challenges. There's no easy way to compare what works best and technology isn't accessible to all.

The solution: 
At this year’s Innovation Festival, GHD is running a Sprint to co-create a fast, simple, and data-driven solution for smarter asset planning and spill prevention. Together, we’ll design catchment-level solutions to help water teams decide on the best actions. From big tanks to mini wetlands to or something brand new.

Let’s build a future with fewer spills by combining simple tools, smart thinking, and community insight, we can protect rivers and create a cleaner, more resilient future for all.

Register your interest and join us at the Sprint: Spill Intelligence