The team of United Utilities (UU), ChangeMaker 3D (CM3D), Scottish Water and Manchester Metropolitan University won the Best Application of Technology category at the Digital Construction Awards 2025 for its work on the Water Industry Printfrastructure programme.
The UK water industry needs to maintain and improve ageing infrastructure while meeting ambitious regulatory and environmental targets. Alternative construction methods that enhance efficiency and sustainability are necessary.
What the judges said
“A great example of industry 4.0. The cross-sector collaboration and the focus on scalability make this a stand-out example of technology’s potential to transform an entire industry.”
To address this challenge, UU, CM3D, Scottish Water and Manchester Metropolitan University secured funding from Ofwat’s Innovation Fund Catalyst Stream for the Water Industry Printfrastructure (WIP) programme. This initiative aimed to explore innovative construction practices to improve and enhance project delivery across the sector.
3D concrete printing technology was identified as a gamechanger, offering rapid, flexible and sustainable asset production. By enabling on-site fabrication, this technology helps mitigate supply chain risks, reduces lead times and delivers critical infrastructure faster and more efficiently.
First 3D concrete printing hub
The WIP programme established the UK’s first 3D concrete printing hub at a live wastewater treatment works hosted by UU. The project also marked several industry firsts, including the first operationalised 3D-printed assets for the water sector, first patented designs and first in situ printing applications.
Other finalists
Arup Fuse
Automating Assurance: a data-driven transformation to deliver complex assurance efficiently Laminar Projects
Electricity Transmission Substation Site Visits AtkinsRéalis
Improving Access to the UK BIM Framework Guidance nima/Morta
Improving construction sequencing on infrastructure projects Skanska and Esri ArcGIS
Deliverables Review Platform Mace
PVS Data
Skyline Cockpit
Transforming information delivery planning Tilbury Douglas/Asite
WholeHouse Travis Perkins
Implementation involved rigorous planning, research and collaboration. CM3D’s patented designs enabled the production of key assets such as Industrial Emissions Directive (IED) walls, manhole rings and CSO chambers.
Scottish Water installed the UK’s first 3D-printed manhole ring and CSO chamber, demonstrating the technology’s potential for nationwide adoption. Printing infrastructure on site reduced lead times by up to 70% compared to traditional methods. The results of the WIP are scalable across the water sector: 20 water and wastewater companies stand to benefit in the UK, with further industry-wide adoption expected.
Richard Clark of UU said: “We’re very pleased. It’s a complete surprise. It’s really made the last three years of work for ourselves, Manchester Metropolitan University, ChangeMaker 3D and Scottish Water.”
The Digital Construction Awards are organised by Digital Construction Week, CIOB, Construction Management and Digital Construction Plus. To find out more about the Awards and enquire about sponsorship or entering next year’s event, visit digitalconstructionawards.co.uk.
