SA Water to harness innovation at Lot Fourteen

The Stone & Chalk start-up Hub at Lot Fourteen in Adelaide has announced SA Water as its innovation partner, as the start-up engaged emerging technology to deliver water services to people and businesses across the state.

The partnership will explore the use of data analytics, predictive modelling and artificial intelligence to conserve water across household use, irrigation and commercial activities. SA Water will also explore the use of space technology to monitor infrastructure and identify leaks in real time.

Stone & Chalk General Manager Chris Kirk said the partnership will apply emerging technology to the South Australian water system for a sustainable and healthy state in the future. Kirk added that the project could help create jobs in sectors across the South Australian economy.

“There are so many opportunities to use emerging technology in utilities like SA Water. With the thriving technological capability we have here at Lot Fourteen, from cybersecurity to satellite monitoring and data analysis, this partnership opens exciting new opportunities for emerging technology companies in South Australia,” Kirk said.

Minister for Innovation and Skills David Pisoni said the partnership reinforces the state government’s commitment to support entrepreneurs at the Stone & Chalk hub to commercialise products and scale into national and global markets.

SA Water General Manager (Strategy, Engagement and Innovation) Anna Jackson said that leveraging the outside-on innovation model by partnering with emerging technology start-ups and scale-ups could drive organisational transformation, enabling SA Water to improve its services.

“Our organisation has chosen the smart local route to innovation which will amplify and accelerate our mission to deliver trusted water services for a sustainable and healthy South Australia,” Jackson said.

Minister for the Environment and Water David Speirs said the partnership will help reduce the impact of water main leaks and breaks, as well as supporting South Australians to use water more effectively and efficiently.

“Combining SA Water’s knowledge and experience of the state’s water network with Stone & Chalk’s technological capabilities and insight will provide benefits to the community, economy and the state’s entrepreneurs,” Speirs said.

The partnership will see SA Water Staff working at Lot Fourteen with entrepreneurs and innovators throughout Stone & Chalk’s national Impact network.

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