Brighton and Hove water company scoops two awards

The water company that supplies Brighton andHovehas won two industry awards.

Southern Water was recognised for its work at the Utility Industry Achievement Awards.

The company won the award for IT Initiative of the Year for “intelligent” water metering and the Capital Project Management Award for the Church Farm reservoir at Hardham, near Pulborough.

Southern Water’s metering programme began in November 2010 and is helping customers save water, energy and money.

The company is installing more than 500,000 meters across the region.

The meters contain sophisticated technology allowing 1,000 of them an hour to be read remotely by a passing vehicle.

The meters also include a leak alarm to help reduce leakage on pipes.

Church Farm opened in April after a year of construction and was named by local schoolchildren.

The reservoir forms part of Southern Water’s multimillion-pound scheme to provide a new source of water supply from the River Arun.

The aim is to safeguard water supplies to customers inSussex, particularly in times of drought.

Southern Water was also shortlisted for the Community Initiative of the Year for its Sporting Chance programme.

Geoff Loader, Southern Water’s director of communications, said: “These awards recognise achievement from across the industry nationwide and are therefore a prestigious endorsement of the hard work and dedication of our staff.”