Driving Change At Ground Level: How Smarter Trailers Are Helping Utilities Cut Emissions And Boost Productivity

Across the water sector, the challenges facing utilities are shifting. Meeting rising demand while reducing emissions is no longer just an ambition, it’s a business critical expectation. Water companies are under increasing pressure to decarbonise their operations while maintaining the reliability and productivity the network depends on.

Transport continues to account for a significant share of the water industry’s carbon footprint, and for the utilities sector, it remains one of the biggest levers we have to reduce emissions.

According to the Department for Transport’s latest environmental report, transport accounts for as much as 28% of the UK’s total greenhouse gas emissions, with heavy vehicles making up a large proportion of that figure. Fleet vehicles, trailers and heavy-duty equipment keep water services flowing, but the way we move equipment and materials is changing fast.

As an engineer working directly with many of these frontline teams, my role is to help bridge the gap. I work closely with utilities and contractors to understand the realities of fieldwork and develop equipment that reduces the number of vehicles needed, lowers fuel use and improves safety while delivering the same reliability the water sector demands.

Fewer vehicles, lower emissions

An example of this collaboration in action is our long-standing partnership with Clancy, a company many in the water sector will know for its vital role in maintaining the UK’s drinking and wastewater networks.

When looking to simplify its fleet operations and reduce emissions without creating more work for their teams on site, our Hotbox trailer – a purpose-built unit that allows the safe transport and storage of hot tarmac used for reinstatement after excavation – provided a streamlined, efficient solution. Fewer vehicles meant lower fuel consumption, fewer emissions and a notable drop in operational complexity – all without sacrificing productivity and safety.

One of the key inefficiencies in the Utilities sector is the siloed way in which tasks are carried out. For instance, a simple stop tap replacement traditionally requires a large team using several vehicles. Commonly the first team would arrive on site, ensure the working environment is safe, set up barriers, excavate and replace the stop tap. Another vehicle would then arrive to back fill the excavation, before a third team arrives on site to reinstate the road finish. Following this another vehicle would attend that site at a later date to remove any barriers, before a fifth vehicle would be deployed to jetwash the surrounding area.

With the Hotbox, Clancy is now able to carry out a one stop resilient repair job more efficiently. What previously required up to eight people and five vehicles, the equipment enables a stop tap to be replaced by two operatives with one vehicle.

This kind of easily implemented change proves that reducing emissions doesn’t need to rely on future technology or distant innovations. Our work with Clancy shows that with the right equipment and smarter logistics, significant carbon and fuel savings are already within reach for the water sector.

Building for sustainability, designing for longevity

For water utility companies, investing in sustainable solutions must go hand-in-hand with operational resilience – which is why we design every trailer with longevity and real-world performance in mind.

Reducing overall trailer weight is not just about using lighter materials, it’s about optimising structural design to maintain strength and load-bearing capacity while cutting unnecessary mass. A lightweight build reduces drag and rolling resistance, which directly lowers fuel consumption and decreases strain on towing vehicles, extending the life of both the trailer and the fleet.

Beyond the frame, modular components are easy to repair or replace – meaning that critical parts like axles, lighting systems and load control mechanisms can be serviced or swapped without the need for full system overhauls – extending the working life of the unit. Not only does this lower the total cost of ownership, it also prevents avoidable waste by ensuring a trailer can remain operational for years rather than being prematurely replaced.

Looking ahead, the future of the water sector’s fleet will rely on innovation at every level. At Towmate Trailers, we’re continually refining designs to simplify loading, refining pivot axle systems for smoother towing, and evolving product safety features to offer better control and confidence on the road.

The water industry is already working hard to meet net-zero targets, and transport plays a big role. Smarter, safer trailers are part of that solution; making it easier for utility companies to meet both environmental and operational targets, and it’s a privilege to support an industry that understands sustainability is essential to keeping the nation’s water flowing.