Arcadis under UK Government plans to trial innovative new technology to boost digital connectivity across the country. This ground-breaking project, delivered by Yorkshire Water working with Arcadis and University of Strathclyde, will test solutions involving putting fibre sensors inside the water pipes. The first trial of its kind in the UK, it will also explore how fibre can help the water industry detect and repair leaks, often before they cause a problem for consumers.

This will help water companies operate more efficiently and lower the carbon cost of drinking water. Under the proposals, fibre-optic cables would be deployed through 17 kilometres of live drinking water mains between Barnsley and Penistone, South Yorkshire, in a technology trial. Broadband companies could then tap into the network to deliver gigabit-capable connections to up to 8,500 homes and businesses along the route.

Civil works, in particular installing new ducts and poles, can make up as much as four fifths of the cost to industry of building new gigabit-capable broadband networks. The Fibre in Water scheme will demonstrate what could be a greener, quicker and more cost-effective way of connecting fibre optic cables to homes, businesses and mobile masts, without the disruption caused by digging up roads and land. The network will also be used to set up 5G masts to bring fast and reliable wireless broadband to hard-to-reach communities where wired solutions are too expensive to deliver commercially.