The Cork region could be positioned to be the global innovation hub for water technology, it emerged today, with the creation of the new Water Systems and Services Innovation Centre (WSSIC).
The Innovation Centre is a joint venture between Cork City Council, the Nimbus Centre and Cork Institute of Technology
The WSSIC aims to create an expert resource in modernising Ireland’s water infrastructure by taking advantage of Nimbus’ technological knowledge and leveraging both councils’ experience in water resource operation.
The WSSIC plans to harness state-of-the-art technology in water quality monitoring, leakage reporting and repair, remote monitoring and much more. The resulting innovations will be rolled out across Co Cork with a view to deploying to all city and county councils in Ireland.
In doing so, the WSSIC will seek to become internationally recognised as a hub for innovation in water-based systems and technologies.
Alongside more efficient water services and monitoring processes, the WSSIC will be used as a catalyst for the creation of Irish-based jobs and enterprise.
The Nimbus Centre is equipped with state-of-the-art facilities and equipment for embedded systems research, development and demonstration. The centre’s 65 researchers and engineers also focus on hardware, systems integration and networking in application fields, such as energy, security and user interfaces.
“The creation of this innovation hub will help to provide better water services for the people of Cork and in doing so will create new industry opportunities and jobs,” said Cllr Tony Fitzgerald, Deputy Lord Mayor.
Martin Riordan, Cork County manager, added: “We need to look at new and more efficient ways of managing all the water and waste-water sites across the whole county.