Categories :: Water Industry Achievement Awards 2012

CATEGORIES

Please note that the 2012 call for entries has now closed.

Partnership Initiative of the Year

At all stages of the supply chain, the industry is pioneering effective partnerships between water companies, contractors and sub-contractors. Working closely through partnerships can produce major improvements in efficiency, customer service and overall performance. Best practice will be recognised for partnerships that produce efficiency gains, safer work sites, clearer tendering and product supply, and more effective buying solutions.

Who is eligible?

This category is open to water companies and authorities, consultancies, civil and process engineering contractors and specialist sub-contractors, and will include two or more partners.

Sponsored by

Criteria

To enter, complete all sections of the entry form, which addresses the following criteria:

Name the partners in this initiative, and the nature of their business
Explain how the initiative originated
The initiative, project and/or campaign should either be ongoing or have been completed during 2011.
Describe the initiative. What makes it innovative?
Explain what steps were taken, and why
Give specific examples of how the partnership worked in relation to the initiative
Demonstrate, in a measurable way, how the partnership achieved real benefit - e.g. by exceeding stated outputs, providing key performance indicators, stakeholders' views, customer benefits etc
Give evidence, if available, of how this partnership initiative has provided a model for others to follow
Demonstrate any implications the partnership many have on wider issues in the water sector - i.e. improved working conditions etc.

People Initiative of the Year

Finding and holding onto good staff is essential to any successful industry, and the water industry is not alone in experiencing the huge problems created by the skills shortage. This award seeks out examples of successful, innovative recruitment, training and staff retention initiatives that all parts of the industry can learn from.

Who is eligible?

This category is open to every part of the water industry. Partnership initiatives are also welcome.

Co-sponsored by

Criteria

To enter, complete all sections of the entry form, which addresses the following criteria:

Explain the nature of your business
Name other participating organisations (if applicable) and the nature of their business
Explain how the initiative originated
Describe the initiative. What makes it innovative?
Explain what steps were taken and why
Provide specific examples of how the initiative worked
Demonstrate, in a measurable way, how the initiative benefited staff recruitment/training - e.g by providing key performance indicators, employee views
Give evidence, if available, of how this initiative has provided a model for others to follow

Community Project of the Year

With Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) becoming increasingly important, the water sector, as with other industries, must make a valuable contribution to improving the public's quality of life.
This award recognises those companies whose community initiatives put the public's wellbeing first and foremost. The initiative's effectiveness, contribution to the community and how it fits into a company's CSR target are crucial requirements for this category.

Who is eligible?

This award is open to water companies and authorities and their contractors for campaigns or initiatives carried out at a national, regional or local level.

Sponsored by

UKDP

Criteria

To enter, complete all sections of the entry form, which addresses the following criteria:

Explain the nature of your business
Name other participating organisations (if applicable) and the nature of their business
Describe the campaign and its objectives. What makes it innovative?
Explain what steps were taken and why
Demonstrate, in a measurable way, how the campaign brought real benefit - e.g. by providing key performance indicators, customer benefits, community views/testimonials
Give evidence, if available, of how the campaign has provided a model for others to follow
Demonstrate any implications the campaign may have on wider issues in the water sector

Carbon Reduction Initiative of the Year

The water utilities, having signed up to the Carbon Reduction Commitment, are putting pressure on their supply chains to lower their carbon footprint as well as their own. This award will recognise those companies whose initiatives have made a real impact in reducing carbon footprint, and can demonstrate how this was measured.

Who is eligible?

This award is open to water companies and authorities and their contractors and supply chain for campaigns or initiatives carried out at a national, regional or local level.

Sponsored by

Criteria

To enter, complete all sections of the entry form, which addresses the following criteria:

Explain the nature of your business
Name other participating organisations (if applicable) and the nature of their business
Describe the initiative, how it originated and its objectives. What makes it innovative?
Explain what steps were taken and why
Demonstrate, in a measurable way, how the initiative brought real benefit - e.g. by saving resources, lowering pollution, reducing carbon footprint, providing key performance indicators, stakeholder views customer benefits
Give evidence, if available, of how the initiative has provided a model for others to follow
Demonstrate any implications the campaign may have on wider issues in the water sector - i.e. carbon reduction, water resource management, etc.

Most Innovative New Technology of the Year

Product and process innovation is vital if the water industry is to maintain its world-leading credentials within a restrictive investment cycle. This award is for a product or technology that is truly groundbreaking, and has only been available within the past 12 months or less.

Criteria

To enter, complete all sections of the entry form, which addresses the following criteria:

Explain the nature of your business
Describe the product/technology and its objectives
Demonstrate the originality of the product/technology
The initiative, project and/or campaign should either be ongoing or have been completed after January 2011
Demonstrate, in a measurable way, how the product/technology brings real benefit or improvement, particularly in relation to "existing" products/technologies
Explain the cost efficiency and replicability potential of the product/technology
Indicate how long the product/technology has been in commercial operation/production or, if pre-market, how long the prototype has been in operation
Name any external organisation that contributed to the innovation, and whether they are aware of the application
Explain, if applicable, details of government funding
Demonstrate any implications the product/technology may have on wider issues in the water sector - i.e. immediate, or whole life

Most Innovative Use of an Existing Technology

The water industry is well adept at finding the right technology to suit an application. This category rewards the most innovative application of an existing product or technology that has been in the market place before February 2010.

Criteria

To enter, complete all sections of the entry form, which addresses the following criteria:

Explain the nature of your business
Describe the product/technology and its objectives
The product or technology should have been commercially available before January 2011.
Demonstrate the originality of the existing product/technology to suit an application
Demonstrate, in a measurable way, how the product/technology brings real benefit or improvement
Explain the cost efficiency and replicability potential of the product/technology
Indicate how long the product/technology has been in commercial operation/production
Name any external organisation that contributed to the innovation, and whether they are aware of the application
Demonstrate any implications the product/technology may have - i.e. immediate or whole life

Customer Satisfaction Initiative of the Year

This category is for breakthroughs in customer satisfaction. In other words, what water companies, contractors or sub-contractors are doing to delight their customers - above and beyond their statutory requirements, and capital investment programmes. It is about the action taken and being prepared to go the extra mile to ensure customers receive the service they expect.

Sponsored by

Criteria

To enter, complete all sections of the entry form, which addresses the following criteria:

Explain the nature of your business
Name other participating organisations (if applicable) and the nature of their business
Describe the customer satisfaction initiative and its objectives. What makes it innovative?
Explain what steps were taken and why
Demonstrate, in a measurable way, how the initiative brought real benefit - e.g. providing consistent and and improving service levels, understanding their needs, etc.
Give evidence, if available, of how the customer satisfaction initiative has provided a model for others to follow

Health & Safety Initiative of the Year

Health and safety must always be a priority for water companies, their contractors and suppliers. This award will recognise exceptional commitment to all-round health and safety by a company or organisation within the industry.

Entrants must demonstrate an innovative, robust and high quality safety management system together with a minimum of four years' consistently excellent or continuously improving health and safety performance.

Sponsored by

Criteria

To enter, complete all sections of the entry form, which addresses the following criteria:

Explain the nature of your business
Name other participating organisations (if applicable) and the nature of their business
Describe the health & safety initiative and its objectives. What makes it innovative?
Explain what steps were taken and why
Demonstrate, in a measurable way, how the initiative brought real benefit - e.g. improved working conditions, etc
Give evidence, if available, of how the health & safety initiative has provided a model for others to follow

Sustainable Drainage & Flood Management Initiative of the Year

Severe flooding is becoming a common occurrence with Britain's conventional drainage system unable to cope with sudden and torrential downpours. This category will reward innovative approaches to sustainable drainage and flood management.

Criteria

To enter, complete all sections of the entry form, which addresses the following criteria:

Name other participating organisations (if applicable) and the nature of their business
Describe the initiative, how it originated and its objectives. What makes it innovative?
Explain what steps were taken and why
Demonstrate, in a measurable way, how the initiative brought real benefit to the implementation of a flood risk management strategy; or improving surface water drainage
Give evidence, if available, of how the initiative has provided a model for others to follow
Demonstrate any implications the initiative may have on wider issues - i.e. water resource management, carbon reduction, etc

Outstanding Individual Contribution to the Water Industry

This award is for an individual who has made an outstanding and important contribution to the industry. This could be by helping raise standards, improving the industry's image, or opening up a new area of the market.

It is open to individuals from all parts of the industry - the public or private sector, regulator or regulated.

Criteria

To enter, complete all sections of the entry form, which addresses the following criteria:

Name the individual, their company/association and role
Describe the individual's contribution to the water industry
Explain what steps the person has taken to help raise standards in the water sector. What makes it innovative?
Demonstrate how the individual has improved the industry's image or opened up a new area of the market

FOG (Fats, Oils & Grease) Reduction Initiative Of The Year

About two-thirds of sewer blockages that occur annually in the UK are caused by fats, oils and grease (FOG). With increasing flooding incidents demanding full capacity in our sewers, and the property, environmental and health risks created by blockages, water companies are taking action. This award will recognise those companies whose initiatives have made a real impact in reducing the effects of FOG.

Who is eligible?

This award is open to water companies and authorities, and their contractors and supply chain for campaigns or initiatives carried out at a national, regional or local level.

To enter, complete all sections of the entry form, which addresses the following criteria:

Explain the nature of your business
Name other participating organisations (if applicable) and the nature of their business
Describe the initiative, how it originated and its objectives. What makes it innovative?
Explain what steps were taken and why
Demonstrate, in a measurable way, how the initiative brought real benefit - e.g. immediate or whole life
Give evidence, if available, of how the initiative has provided a model for others to follow

Leakage Initiative of the Year

Leakage is one of the crucial issues to be dealt with in the industry to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of water supply services. This category will reward cutting edge solutions or strategies for monitoring and managing water supply losses, ensuring the water networks reduce wastage.

Who is eligible?

This award is open to water companies and authorities and their contractors and supply chain for initiatives carried out at a national, regional or local level.

Criteria

To enter, complete all sections of the entry form, which addresses the following criteria:

Explain the nature of your business
Name other participating organisations (if applicable) and the nature of their business
Describe the initiative, how it originated and its objectives. What makes it innovative?
Explain what steps were taken and why
Demonstrate, in a measurable way, how the initiative brought real benefit – e.g. by reducing potable water wastage, providing key performance indicators, stakeholder views customer benefits
Give evidence, if available, of how the initiative has provided a model for others to follow
Demonstrate any implications the campaign may have on wider issues in the water sector – i.e. water supply management, etc.

Renewable Energy Initiative of the Year

Water utilities are continually seeking new, cleaner fuels to keep their energy costs down while benefiting the environment. As a result, they are increasingly using alternative resources, i.e wind, sun, anaerobic digestion. This award recognises those companies whose resource recovery initiatives and technologies have made a real and measurable impact on the industry's operational savings as well as the environment.

Who is eligible?

This award is open to water companies and authorities and their contractors and supply chain for initiatives carried out at a national, regional or local level.

Criteria

To enter, complete all sections of the entry form, which addresses the following criteria:

Explain the nature of your business
Name other participating organisations (if applicable) and the nature of their business
Describe the initiative, how it originated and its objectives. What makes it innovative?
Explain what steps were taken and why
Demonstrate, in a measurable way, how the initiative brought real benefit – e.g. by saving resources, lowering pollution, reducing energy costs, providing key performance indicators, stakeholder views customer benefits
Give evidence, if available, of how the initiative has provided a model for others to follow
Demonstrate any implications the initiative may have on wider issues in the water sector – i.e. carbon reduction, water resource management, etc.

Outstanding Innovation 2012

This award will recognise an outstanding innovation that delivers real benefits for the water industry's consumers. Each entry to this award will already be a winner - having been judged to be the very best in its particular category.

Outstanding Innovation 2012 will be awarded to the entry that the judges decide has made the most significant new contribution to the water industry this year.