Unlocking water data for the benefit of customers, society, and the environment
Overview
Icebreaker One is a partner on the Stream programme focussed on co-creating a Data Sharing and Open Data Framework to unlock water data for the benefit of customers, society, and the environment. In May 2023, Stream was named as one of the winners of the third Water Breakthrough Challenge for the Implementation Phase of the programme, receiving £3.9m.
Stream consists of a consortium of 16 water and professional services companies, with Northumbrian Water as the lead organisation. It will put in place technology and processes to remove the barriers to opening up and sharing water company data.
As governance advisory partner, Icebreaker One launched a Steering Group in the Blueprint Phase to shape the governance structure of Stream and worked to establish a lasting set of robust governance measures and engagement opportunities ahead of the Implementation Phase.
In the next phase of work, Icebreaker One has continued to co-build an appropriate common framework for long-term collaboration, standards development, operational and legal capabilities to enable sector-wide and cross-sector data sharing.
Icebreaker One oversees Advisory Group meetings to aid the development of the Stream programme. Advisory Group 1 (Market and User Needs) explores, prioritises and works through use cases that should be supported by Stream. This includes identifying defined users, their needs, mapping the data value chain and the broader ecosystem surrounding each use case. Advisory Group 2 (Technical Requirements) is responsible for understanding the technical challenges and opportunities in accessing water data.
The Stream Steering & Advisory Group Terms of Reference can be found here (v05-08-2023).
Join the Stream Advisory Groups here
About Stream
Run by Ofwat and Challenge Works, and supported by Arup and Isle Utilities, the Water Breakthrough Challenge is a part of Ofwat’s £200 million Innovation Fund and aims to encourage initiatives that help to tackle the biggest challenges facing the water sector, such as achieving net zero, protecting natural ecosystems and reducing leakage, as well as delivering value to society.
Stream is Led by Northumbrian Water, and partners include: Anglian Water Group, Severn Trent Water, Scottish Water, SES Water, United Utilities, South West Water, Dwr Cymru Welsh Water, Wessex Water, Southern Water, Yorkshire Water, Affinity Water, Portsmouth Water, South Staffs Water, Hafren Drfydwy, Sia Partners, Aiimi, Open Data Institute, Costain.
See the latest programme updates below: