Navigating Networks: DMAs and the New Age of Water Management with Bob Taylor, Chief Executive of Portsmouth Water, UK

In this episode of the Exec Exchange, host Piers Clark speaks with Bob Taylor, Chief Executive of Portsmouth Water, about innovative network management and leakage detection. Bob shares his 40 plus years in the water industry and describes Portsmouth Water’s resilient, distributed supply system supported by high service reservoir storage and pressure management for consistent operation. The conversation focuses on reducing non-revenue water in a network that is only partly sectorized into district metered areas (DMAs), and Portsmouth Water’s trials with Dutch company HULO, whose AI and hydraulic modeling uses existing pressure and flow monitoring to detect deviations from steady state conditions. In six trial areas, HULO successfully detected simulated leaks in 5 out of 6 tests, informing Portsmouth Water’s decision on further rollout versus installing more district meters. Bob closes with advice to new entrants to value the sector’s importance, career variety, and major UK infrastructure program including new reservoirs and transfers.00:00 Welcome and guest intro00:32 Bob Taylor background01:15 Why Portsmouth is resilient03:03 Leakage and smart networks05:00 DMAs versus open networks05:59 HULO concept explained07:51 Trial results and next steps10:36 Leakage passion and digital future11:37 Advice for new entrants13:04 Wrap up and thanks