AUMA Actuators' Role in Driving Sustainability

As the UK water industry enters Asset Management Period 8 (AMP8) from 2025 to 2030, the sector faces an unprecedented challenge of balancing environmental sustainability with infrastructure resilience, while ensuring affordability for customers. The priorities set out by Ofwat through the PR24 price review place a significant emphasis on tackling climate change, reducing storm overflows, and improving overall water quality. With an expected investment exceeding £100 billion, AMP8 is set to be the most ambitious regulatory cycle yet.

At the heart of this transformation lies a critical enabler: automation and smart actuation technology. As a global leader in electric actuators, AUMA Actuators Limited is the UK subsidiary of AUMA Riester GmbH and Co KG, the world’s largest manufacturer of electric valve actuators. AUMA Actuators Limited has positioned itself as a key partner in the UK water sector by securing framework agreements with key UK water companies. This achievement allows AUMA to support AMP8’s environmental and sustainability goals by delivering smart, efficient, and reliable flow control solutions. 

Paul Hopkins, Managing Director, AUMA Actuators Limited, says: “Meeting the ambitious targets set by Ofwat requires water companies to embrace advanced automation, control, and monitoring capabilities across their networks. This is where AUMA’s expertise in electric actuation plays a crucial role.

“We have secured framework agreements with major UK water companies, consolidating our position as a trusted partner in delivering sustainable and efficient actuation solutions. This success enables AUMA to actively contribute to AMP8’s sustainability.”

The Sustainability Challenge in AMP8

The UK water industry faces mounting pressure from regulators, government bodies, and the public to address environmental concerns. Key objectives of AMP8 include reducing storm overflows to protect rivers and coastal waters; lowering carbon emissions to meet net-zero targets; enhancing energy efficiency in water and wastewater operations; and improving biodiversity by mitigating pollution and habitat degradation. 

Enabling Smarter and More Efficient Water Networks

AUMA’s intelligent electric actuators provide real-time data and remote monitoring capabilities, allowing water companies to optimise flow control, reduce energy waste, and improve overall network efficiency. By integrating seamlessly with SCADA and IoT platforms, AUMA actuators enable proactive decision-making, helping utilities to minimise leakage and improve resilience against climate-related disruptions.

Supporting the Net-Zero Carbon Journey

Unlike traditional pneumatic or hydraulic actuators, AUMA’s electric actuators offer a low-carbon alternative with higher energy efficiency and lower maintenance requirements. This shift from energy-intensive systems to smart electric actuation significantly reduces the carbon footprint of water treatment and distribution operations, aligning with AMP8’s drive towards net-zero emissions. 

AUMA’s actuators are designed for long operational lifespans, reducing the need for frequent replacements and minimising waste - a crucial factor in circular economy initiatives within the industry. 

Enhancing Water Quality and Environmental Protection

One of the most pressing challenges in AMP8 is the reduction of storm overflows and pollution incidents. AUMA actuators contribute to this goal by ensuring precise and reliable valve control in wastewater treatment plants and combined sewer overflow (CSO) systems. The Advanced automation capabilities of AUMA’s range of electric actuators helps water companies manage flow rates more effectively, preventing untreated discharges into natural watercourses and safeguarding aquatic ecosystems. 

Additionally, AUMA’s solutions support the integration of nature-based water treatment strategies, such as reed beds and wetland filtration systems, by providing precise flow regulation to optimise these eco-friendly approaches. 

Future-Ready Innovation: AUMA’s Commitment Beyond AMP8

As AMP8 unfolds, the demand for cutting-edge automation will continue to grow. AUMA is committed to continuous innovation to meet the evolving needs of the water industry. Key areas of focus include artificial intelligence and predictive analytics to enhance asset performance, plus battery-powered actuators for remote, off-grid locations, reducing reliance on traditional power sources. Sustainable materials and manufacturing processes to further reduce the environmental impact of actuator production also feature. 

AUMA is helping water companies meet AMP 8 obligations by proactively investing in such advancements, and by laying the groundwork for a more sustainable and resilient future. 

AUMA’s Role in Delivering AMP8’s Sustainability Vision

AUMA’s success in securing framework agreements with major UK water companies underscores its pivotal role in helping meet the challenges and opportunities for environmental progress and operational efficiency.  AUMA’s smart solutions will support the sector’s sustainability goals, enhance resilience, and drive long-term value for customers and the environment by providing intelligent, energy-efficient, and future-ready actuation solutions. 

Paul Hopkins concludes: “As the UK water industry embraces digitalisation and decarbonisation, AUMA remains a trusted partner, enabling the sector to move towards a smarter, greener, and more sustainable future.”

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