In May, we reconvened Stream’s Steering Group which comprises experts that represent water companies, regulators, research, innovation bodies and government. 

Co-chaired by Icebreaker One and NWL, the group’s primary function is to help provide leadership and market signaling. Oversight of, and endorsement from, this group will establish a lasting set of robust governance measures to ensure data is shared safely and with the correct regulations.

Date: 1st May 2025 12:30-14:30 BST

Location: online

Co-Chairs: Melissa Tallack (NWL); Gavin Starks (IB1)

Secretariat: IB1

Meeting aims:

  1. To provide members with clarity on the bid and what is coming next
  2. Tackle the risk of low engagement and how to move forward

Summary:

  • The meeting presented updates from the Product Team:
    • The new newsletter is available in both an internal and external format from May onwards. It was noted that this is the only way to receive the relevant updates whilst also being a key way to inform your colleagues of what Stream has been up to.
    • the Citizen Science work that has been taking place as part of the Cleaning Up the UK’s Rivers and Seas use case. It was noted that there are three upcoming blogs that will be published as part of a collaborative piece of work undertaken by Stream and the ODI.
  • The group discussed the question: “What problem do you passionately want to solve?”
    • It was agreed that it would be worth creating a Venn diagram of all water companies’ needs, organisational priorities and pressures to highlight common areas where they can come together, as well as any regional alignment.
    • It was discussed that there may be links to other sectors and the Venn diagram may help to unlock opportunities outside of the water sector as well.
  • Risks and blockers associated with this quarter’s OKRs were discussed.
    • It was noted that there is a low engagement rate with upcoming working groups and pillar champions.
      • Members were asked to support engagement or, if not, share how they would look to resolve the challenge
    • It was noted that there has been some difficulty getting access to the relevant legal contacts within the respective water companies. This has a knock on effect on the respective working group and the upcoming collaboration agreement.
      • It was noted that legal representatives are very busy and therefore getting a response has been challenging.
      • It was noted that once we have a use case, it may be easier to reach certain legal representatives, and it could be possible that a group of four (minimum) lead the work, with the rest agreeing to adapt to the work.
      • It was noted that for those looking to engage with internal teams, asking: “there will be things coming on data licensing and we’d like to know what your process is so that we don’t accidentally surprise you” may help with processes.
  • It was noted that Stream is becoming well known between stakeholders but is less well known within member’s organisations.
    • It was agreed that there needs to be value-based messaging that lands with senior internal stakeholders
      • It was noted that the group should openly discuss what has and hasn’t worked to help get Stream on the executive agenda.
      • It was noted that there’s an opportunity to tie Stream’s work in with the other major activities that water companies undertake such as public disclosures, which have big validation processes and require engineering and product resources.

Next meeting date: 9th June 2025

Formal records, including attendees, are maintained by the secretariat, and are confidential to the Steering Group members.