The University of Manchester and Groundwork Greater Manchester KTP 24_25 R2

A new data-driven framework will transform how a major UK river catchment is managed, using real-time evidence to guide water quality and financial decisions. The Irwell catchment in Greater Manchester faces persistent challenges from pollution, flooding, and aging infrastructure. Current management often relies on reactive, piecemeal approaches rather than coordinated, long-term planning. This project addresses that gap by creating a digital framework that integrates environmental data—such as rainfall, river flow, and pollution levels—with financial modelling. The goal is to give Groundwork Greater Manchester a practical tool for making evidence-based decisions about where and when to invest in interventions like wetland restoration, drainage improvements, or flood defences. If successful, the framework could shift water management from crisis response to proactive stewardship. For the Irwell, this means cleaner rivers, reduced flood risk, and more efficient use of limited funds. The approach could also serve as a template for other UK catchments, quietly improving the infrastructure that keeps water supplies reliable and ecosystems healthy—systems most people only notice when they fail. This is applied research with a direct, practical outcome: a decision-support system for a real organisation managing a real river.