Within the Water sector, we work with individual organisations, NGOs, industry and government to understand and reconcile their water challenges. Working together, we are committed to driving water innovation and helping deliver sustainable and climate resilient water systems for society.
Strategic partners in Water
Within the Water sector, we work with individual organisations, NGOs, industry and government to understand and reconcile their water challenges. Working together, we are committed to driving water innovation and helping deliver sustainable and climate resilient water systems for society.
Severn Trent Water
Key facts
- Our work with Severn Trent Water is focused on supporting their delivery of drinking water to the region
- We also support their work on improving wastewater and discharge
- Our collaborative research areas include anaerobic digestion for the purpose of reducing carbon footprint, which is both more environmentally friendly and economic for the customers.
Impact of partnership
Severn Trent and Cranfield University have been working together to bring improved water utility services and quality water to the region. As partners, Severn Trent benefit from privileged access to our world-class facilities and experts. We are able to deliver pilot and full scale work, highlighting the strength of our applied and fundamental research.
Cranfield students also benefit from listening to Severn Trent experts who deliver guest lectures, access to projects based in an industrial environment, improved employment opportunities and genuine networking and collaboration opportunities with water colleagues in the field.
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Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation
Reinventing the Toilet for the 2.5billion
Key facts
- Cranfield are developing the Nano Membrane Toilet as part of the “Reinvent the Toilet” programme
- Three major grants have been awarded for this project
- We are leading a large project on sensors (Dr Leon Williams, C4D) and are participating in a consortium working on sludge drying and thermal treatment
The partnership was established after Cranfield submitted an entry to the Reinvent the Toilet programme – the Nano Membrane Toilet
We receive significant support to pursue novel projects and technologies to address the challenge of urban sanitation. Their support enables us to employ post-docs and PhD students to develop our ideas. There have also been a number of MSc thesis projects working on aspects of the Nano Membrane Toilet.Water & Sanitation for the Urban Poor (WSUP)
Key facts
- By harnessing the expertise and sector leading knowledge of the private sector, NGOs and research institutions, WSUP works as a professional partner to service providers in the delivery of water and sanitation programmes.
Impact of partnership
Cranfield University was a founding member of WSUP when it was established in 2005, together with NGO and private sector members and a Cranfield academic sits on the WSUP Board of Directors. WSUP has quickly become recognised as a leading actor in the urban WASH sector, demonstrating how multi-sector partnerships can have significant impact. Cranfield works in partnership with WSUP on collaborative research and often involving our postgraduate students in support of WSUP’s work.
Related news
- Cranfield's water and sanitation research recognised by the Queen
- Cranfield University supports WSUP My Toilet Exhibition
Related publications
- Hutchings P, Johns M, Jornet D, Scott C & Van den Bossche Z (2018) A systematic assessment of the pro-poor reach of development bank investments in urban sanitation, Journal of Water, Sanitation and Hygiene for Development, In press.
- Nussbaumer D, Sutton I & Parker A (2016) Groundwater data management by water service providers in peri-urban areas of Lusaka, Water, 8 (4) 1-12.
- Jimenez-Redal R, Parker A & Jeffrey P (2014) Factors influencing the uptake of household water connections in peri-urban Maputo, Mozambique, Utilities Policy, 28 22-27.
- Heath TT, Parker AH & Weatherhead EK (2012) Testing a rapid climate change adaptation assessment for water and sanitation providers in informal settlements in three cities in sub-Saharan Africa, Environment and Urbanization, 24 (2) 619-637.
Anglian Water
Key facts
- Our work with Anglian Water is focused on supporting their delivery of drinking water to the region
- We also support their work on improving water treatment and developing the next generation of water works
- Our collaborative research areas include ...
Impact of partnership
As partners, Anglian Water benefit from privileged access to our world-class facilities and experts. We are able to deliver pilot and full scale work, highlighting the strength of our applied and fundamental research.
Cranfield students also benefit from listening to Anglian Water experts who deliver guest lectures, access to projects based in an industrial environment, improved employment opportunities and genuine networking, an Anglian Water bursary, and collaboration opportunities with water colleagues in the field.
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We’ve done a lot of stuff in anaerobic digestion with Cranfield, and over the last four years we’ve built five full-scale plants that were guided by that research.
Matt Edwards, Asset Maintenance and Information Manager, Anglian Water