Access underground asset information faster to plan and deliver work on water assets more efficiently

By providing an instantly accessible, secure and standardised view of underground assets across England, Wales and Northern Ireland, the National Underground Asset Register (NUAR) complements and enhances how water organisations undertake their existing safe digging practices as set out under HSG47 and other regulatory frameworks. Instead of sourcing and interpreting records from multiple organisations, users can quickly access standardised asset information, helping them make faster, better-informed decisions. From design and construction through to maintenance, operation and emergency repairs, NUAR improves visibility, strengthens coordination, reduces delays and helps minimise the risk of costly utility strikes. Supporting safer and more productive delivery of water works.

In June 2025 the Data (Use and Access) Bill received Royal Assent, putting NUAR on a statutory footing for England, Wales and Northern Ireland. The regulations to establish NUAR as a statutory register remain in progress with the UK Government. The data provided by asset owners who have voluntarily joined the service so far covers over 80% of the known underground assets.

Why use NUAR

Support safer excavation

With thousands of accidental utility strikes occurring each year, NUAR gives teams instant access to underground asset information from multiple organisations, helping them understand what lies beneath the ground and make safer, more informed decisions when planning works.

Reduce time spent gathering asset information

NUAR provides instant access to underground asset information from multiple organisations through a secure digital service, reducing the time and effort needed to obtain data, helping teams plan works more efficiently.

Standardised asset visibility

NUAR brings together underground asset information from multiple organisations into a clear, standardised view, helping teams identify constraints earlier, improve coordination and plan works more efficiently.

Who can benefit?

NUAR supports a wide range of organisations across the water sector, including:

  • Water companies
  • Wastewater and sewerage operators
  • Infrastructure delivery partners
  • Network planners and designers
  • Asset protection teams
  • Operational and maintenance teams
  • Field engineers and supervisors

The service is also available to authorised supply chain contractors working directly on behalf of participating asset owners.

Typical use cases

Reduce the Risk of Utility Strikes

With an instant, standardised view of underground assets to increase risk awareness when planning works to support safe digging practices

Understand What's Beneath the Ground

Use standardised asset data to inform site orientation, surveys and early-stage decision-making for installation, maintenance and repair of your assets

Emergency Response

Enable faster access to underground asset information when responding to bursts, leaks, sewer collapses and other incidents

Supporting the water sector

Water organisations, such as Northumbrian Water Group, Thames Water and NI Water are already using NUAR to gain faster access to underground asset information and improve the way they plan, maintain and operate their buried infrastructure.

Northumbrian Water Group embedded NUAR into its everyday operations to overcome fragmented asset data, improving the safety and efficiency of excavation work. By giving over 600 staff and partners instant access to accurate underground asset information, NUAR has reduced strikes, saved time and costs, and supported a more consistent approach to safe digging. Scott Thornberry, Functional Consultant for Northumbrian Water Group said: “NUAR enables NWG to grant administrative access to contract partners, who can then manage their own user base. This ensures that every individual working on NWG assets—whether directly employed or contracted—has access to the same accurate and current asset information. By equipping our partners with NUAR, we ensure they can carry out their work with the highest level of safety, awareness and operational consistency. The system supports a shared, unified approach to safe digging practices, reducing risk, improving efficiency, and creating a more aligned working environment across all delivery partners.”

Read the Northumbrian Water Group case study

Get access to NUAR

Contact us to find out how NUAR can help your organisation improve planning, coordination and visibility of underground infrastructure.

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