- World-leading Centre for Resilience in Environment, Water and Waste (CREWW) opens at University of Exeter’s (UoE) Streatham campus
- Joint-funded research centre between UoE, South West Water and Research England will shape future approaches to flood management, droughts and water pollution
- AECOM-led project, delivered by Morgan Sindall, is the water sector’s first carbon net-zero-in-operation for regulated loads research centre
EXETER (22 March, 2024) — AECOM, the world’s trusted infrastructure consultancy firm, and contractor Morgan Sindall have completed the delivery of a pioneering new £30million research facility designed to explore sustainable solutions to the challenges facing the UK’s water infrastructure.
The 16,000 sq ft Centre for Resilience in Environment, Water and Waste (CREWW) at the University of Exeter’s Streatham Campus will work to future-proof UK and international water systems to better cope with floods, droughts, and pollutants including microplastics.
The world-leading facility, which has been joint-funded by the University of Exeter, South West Water and Research England, has achieved BREAAM Excellent and becomes the water sector’s first carbon net-zero-in-operation for regulated loads research centre. The ‘living laboratory’ will have its energy and water efficiency continually monitored, analysed and optimised to serve as a purpose-built case study for the university’s wider estate and that of its global partners.
A multi-disciplinary team from AECOM acted as lead consultant on the scheme, which includes specialist laboratory facilities and designated space to encourage collaborative research and training between academics and experts from the water industry, government and NGOs.
Morgan Sindall began construction of the project in January 2022, with the centre opened today (Wednesday 20th) at an event attended by government officials, research bodies and regulators.
Sustainable design and operation
AECOM’s carbon reduction strategy for CREWW encompassed both embodied and operational carbon. Lean design principles and sustainable concrete mixes minimised the project’s embodied carbon, while operational carbon was reduced through a fabric and operational energy approach to building design, energy-efficient laboratory equipment operation, and integration of renewable energy sources including heat pumps and solar panels.
Professor Lisa Roberts, Vice-Chancellor and President at the University of Exeter, said: “I am delighted to officially open CREWW with our partners at South West Water and Research England. CREWW is bringing together the best minds from across multiple disciplines at the University of Exeter with industry experts at South West Water to develop a shared understanding of water supply issues, so that we can co-create engineering, nature, economic and behaviour-based solutions that will make a lasting positive impact to communities and ecosystems around the world.
“The state-of-the-art equipment and specialist labs, including a sophisticated microbiology lab, will allow the CREWW team to make huge strides in analysing microplastics in South West Water’s operations, to understand the impact of these pollutants on ecosystems and discover solutions to create sustainable water networks for future generations.”
Susan Davy, Chief Executive Officer South West Water, said: “Today we have made history by opening this fantastic facility bringing together the best minds across the water sector and academia, and based here in the South West. Seeing the progress already made, I am very clear that if there is a collaboration that can fix even one of the global water challenges we face, it’s this one. I believe, to make a real difference in the world, investments cannot just be about places, and facilities such as this, it’s about the people who make it happen – this is where I know CREWW will lead the way.”
Steven Jenkins, Director and Higher Education Sector Lead at AECOM, said: “The quality of water infrastructure continues to be a topic of national importance, so we look forward to the positive impact and sustainable legacy this new best-in-class research facility will generate in years to come. In addition to the world-leading research taking place there, CREWW has the potential to set a new benchmark for environmentally responsible infrastructure within research and higher education. The level of technical excellence designed into the project means it’s a building fit for the future and one that will hopefully inspire others as we continue to work with clients in the public and private sector to decarbonise the built environment.”
Brian Rice, Area Director at Morgan Sindall Construction in the South West, said: “The delivery of this groundbreaking CREWW facility is a great step forward in sustainable infrastructure. Together with AECOM, Morgan Sindall Construction has helped to realise a vision that will help shape the future of water management. This achievement reflects our unwavering commitment to excellence and underscores our role in creating facilities that will have a positive impact for generations to come.”
