United Utilities partners with Data Literacy Academy to advance data-driven performance

Leading water company deploys enterprise-wide data and AI literacy programme to enhance operational intelligence and customer service

United Utilities, one of the UK's largest water and wastewater services providers, has partnered with Data Literacy Academy to deliver a comprehensive data and AI education programme across its operations. The strategic initiative will equip employees in Wastewater, Water, Environmental Services and Operational Intelligence teams with essential data literacy skills to drive proactive performance and improved customer outcomes for eight million people in North West England.

Launched in Summer 2025, the partnership supports United Utilities' digital transformation strategy by embedding data literacy and AI skills needed to leverage real-time analytics, predictive modeling and advanced sensor networks. The programme enables colleagues to identify trends, predict operational issues and take preventative action to better serve customers and protect the environment.

Following the release of the Water White Paper, which is causing the biggest shift in decades throughout the industry, it's more essential than ever that every water company is delivering data-led operations with best practices embedded. And this partnership will be part of enabling this throughout United Utilities.

Driving Operational Excellence Through Data Literacy

Samantha Sloan, Head of Operational Intelligence at United Utilities, said:

This partnership is a significant milestone in our wider transformation. Using real-time sensor networks, AI models and our dynamic network management platform is helping us to get ahead of issues, such as blockages and pollution events, by spotting them before they have an impact on customers and the environment.

To maximise the potential of these technologies and prepare for more to come, it is vital our colleagues are data and AI literate so they can understand what the numbers are telling them and make confident, data-backed decisions.

Building a Data-Driven Culture

Greg Freeman, Founder and CEO at Data Literacy Academy, said:

It's fantastic to partner with United Utilities on a programme that will help their teams build confidence with data and AI.

United Utilities is already investing heavily in real-time systems, environmental monitoring and advanced analytics, and data and AI literacy is the foundation that will turn those investments into measurable, positive differences for people across the North West. We're a few months into the programme now and we're excited to see the continued, lasting impact that a growing data-driven culture will make.

About United Utilities

United Utilities provides water and wastewater services to around eight million people in North West England. Between 2025 and 2030, the company will invest more than £13bn delivering its biggest infrastructure programme in a century. This investment will deliver cleaner rivers, more reliable water supplies and enhanced support for customers struggling with bills, while supporting 30,000 jobs across the North West including 7,000 new positions and contributing £35bn of economic value to the region.

For more information, visit www.unitedutilities.com

About Data Literacy Academy

Data Literacy Academy is a UK-based data education company founded in 2022 by CEO Greg Freeman. The company delivers enterprise-grade data and AI literacy programmes that drive data culture, technology adoption and measurable business impact for organizations worldwide.

Data Literacy Academy has partnered with enterprise clients including Aer Lingus, Bentley Motors, BAE Systems and Sony Music Publishing to deliver tailored data and AI education aligned with strategic business objectives. Based in the Midlands with a rapidly growing team of education specialists and technology experts, the company was named 'Start-Up of the Year' at the British Data Awards 2024.

For more information, visit www.dl-academy.com

Media Contact: media@dl-academy.com

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