The UK’s water sector is on the cusp of a significant transformation, thanks to a bold partnership between Additive Catchments and Capgemini. Their collaboration aims to scale Additive Catchments’ Catchment Monitoring as a Service (CMaaS®) platform, a move that could redefine how water quality is monitored and managed, not just in the UK, but globally. This initiative comes at a critical time, as the UK’s 2021 Environment Act mandates continuous water quality monitoring, a requirement that currently only 14% of England’s rivers meet in terms of good ecological health.
The partnership is a strategic response to the urgent need for high-assurance data and insights. Capgemini will bring its deep expertise in AI, data, and digital transformation to industrialize the CMaaS® platform. This includes driving advancements in machine learning, earth observation, and smart maintenance, as well as providing digital capabilities like virtual sensors to reduce costs and environmental impact. Capgemini’s role will also encompass business consulting services, including strategic ESG advisory and carbon monitoring consulting, and operational and software platform management to ensure long-term scalability and impact.
Rob Walker, Managing Director of the UK Business Unit at Capgemini, underscored the significance of this collaboration. “This collaboration reflects Capgemini’s commitment to working with high-potential ventures that drive sustainability and digital transformation. By combining Additive Catchments’ innovative platform with our expertise, we aim to help water companies take control of this critical challenge and deliver on their regulatory and environmental responsibilities,” he said. Walker highlighted 2025 as a pivotal year for the UK’s water industry, emphasizing the need for innovative solutions to address national priorities.
Rob Passmore, CEO & Co-founder of Additive Catchments, echoed this sentiment. “This relationship marks a defining moment for Additive Catchments. With Capgemini’s support, we are well positioned to accelerate the delivery of our solution and scale its impact across the UK, enabling water companies and stakeholders to meet critical regulatory challenges while driving tangible improvements in river health. Together, we are forging a new path for innovation and collaboration in environmental stewardship,” he stated.
The CMaaS® platform is designed to support the UK’s ambitious environmental goals. The 2021 Environment Act requires all water companies to implement continuous monitoring upstream and downstream of discharge points, creating the world’s largest environmental monitoring program. With over £100bn expected to be invested during AMP8, the upcoming 5-year regulatory cycle starting in April 2025, this initiative represents an unprecedented opportunity to improve river health. The CMaaS® platform will deliver actionable insights to water companies, enabling targeted interventions and proactive responses to pollution.
Moreover, the platform integrates data from diverse sources, including sensors, satellite imagery, the Met Office, Environment Agency, and other public datasets. This multi-stakeholder approach empowers a broad range of stakeholders, from water companies and landowners to farmers and local communities, to drive measurable improvements in river health. By facilitating targeted interventions, the platform enhances collaboration for sustainable water management.
This partnership is not just about compliance; it’s about setting a new standard for environmental stewardship. As the UK’s water sector prepares for AMP8, the collaboration between Additive Catchments and Capgemini could serve as a blueprint for other regions grappling with similar challenges. The scalability of the CMaaS® platform means it could be adapted for global environmental monitoring needs, making it a potential game-changer in the fight against water pollution.
The implications of this news are far-reaching. It challenges the status quo by demonstrating that continuous monitoring and data-driven insights can lead to meaningful environmental improvements. It sparks debate on how technology and collaboration can address long-standing issues in the water sector. And it sets a precedent for how public and private sectors can work together to achieve sustainable outcomes. As the UK’s water industry stands on the brink of significant change, this partnership offers a glimpse into a future where innovation and environmental responsibility go hand in hand.
