Capgemini and Additive Catchments have announced a partnership to help improve the state of UK rivers through advanced AI-driven solutions.
The collaboration will expand Additive Catchments’ Catchment Monitoring as a Service (CMaaS) platform, addressing the urgent need for continuous water quality monitoring mandated by the 2021 Environment Act. With only 14 percent of England’s rivers achieving good ecological health, this partnership aims to help water companies comply with regulations, reduce pollution and achieve environmental progress.
Under the agreement, Capgemini will bring its expertise in AI, data and digital transformation to industrialize the CMaaS platform. The platform combines sensor networks, AI analytics and digital tools to deliver actionable insights for stakeholders in the water sector.
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Capgemini’s contributions include:
- Advancing R&D capabilities in machine learning, earth observation and smart maintenance
- Introducing digital tools like virtual sensors to reduce costs and environmental impact
- Offering strategic business consulting in ESG and carbon monitoring
- Ensuring long-term scalability and operational excellence
Rob Walker, managing director of the UK business unit at Capgemini, said: “This collaboration reflects Capgemini’s commitment to working with high-potential ventures that drive sustainability and digital transformation. By combining Additive Catchments’ innovative platform with our expertise, we aim to help water companies take control of this critical challenge and deliver on their regulatory and environmental responsibilities.
“2025 is a pivotal year for the UK’s water industry, and we are proud to contribute to a solution that addresses this national priority.”
Rob Passmore, CEO and co-founder of Additive Catchments, also commented: “This relationship marks a defining moment for Additive Catchments. With Capgemini’s support, we are well-positioned to accelerate the delivery of our solution and scale its impact across the UK, enabling water companies and stakeholders to meet critical regulatory challenges while driving tangible improvements in river health.
“Together, we are forging a new path for innovation and collaboration in environmental stewardship.”
The 2021 Environment Act requires UK water companies to implement continuous monitoring upstream and downstream of discharge points, forming the world’s largest environmental monitoring initiative. With over £100bn set to be invested during the upcoming AMP8 regulatory cycle starting in April 2025, this effort represents a major opportunity to improve infrastructure and protect natural ecosystems.
The CMaaS platform can play a vital role by offering actionable insights that empower water companies to take targeted and proactive measures against pollution. Beyond addressing regulatory requirements, the platform provides a scalable solution with global potential for environmental monitoring.
Driving collaboration across sectors
The CMaaS platform integrates diverse data sources, including sensors, satellite imagery, the Met Office, Environment Agency and other public datasets. This comprehensive approach supports a range of stakeholders, from water companies and landowners to farmers and local communities. By fostering collaboration, the platform helps achieve measurable improvements in river health and promotes sustainable water management practices.
What it means for ERP insiders
Transforming the day-to-day of environmental professionals: For environmental compliance managers, operations engineers and ESG officers in the UK water sector, the partnership between Additive Catchments and Capgemini promises to redefine your daily workflows. By industrializing the Catchment Monitoring as a Service (CMaaS) platform, this collaboration promises AI-powered tools to enable real-time water quality assessments, predictive analytics and actionable insights. This means less time spent on manual data collection and more on strategic decision-making. From pinpointing pollution sources to streamlining regulatory reporting, this solution can empower focus on proactive environmental management and compliance, paving the way for measurable ecological improvements in catchment areas.
Contextualizing the solution in a dynamic market: The UK’s water sector is poised for significant growth, with the AMP8 regulatory cycle (2025–2030) funneling over £100bn into infrastructure and sustainability initiatives. The market transformation is driven by the 2021 Environment Act’s mandate for continuous water quality monitoring, creating demand for advanced environmental technologies. Competitors such as Microsoft’s AI for Earth and IBM’s Environmental Intelligence Suite also offer data-driven solutions for water management. Additive Catchments and Capgemini stand out by integrating localized expertise with global AI capabilities. Their partnership aligns with macro trends in environmental monitoring, including the rise of ESG-driven investment and the growing application of AI in tackling climate challenges, highlighting the opportunities within this space.
Key evaluation criteria for end-users: When selecting providers in this space, end-users should prioritize scalability, interoperability and actionable insights. Scalable solutions ensure that technology adapts to increasing regulatory demands and expanding monitoring areas. Interoperability with existing infrastructure, such as legacy monitoring systems and public datasets, reduces implementation hurdles. Most critically, actionable insights derived from AI-powered analytics should enable tangible improvements in environmental outcomes, not just compliance. Providers like Additive Catchments and Capgemini, with their combined expertise in environmental science and digital transformation, exemplify the collaborative approach needed to deliver sustained value in this evolving market.
