Colleagues at Essex & Suffolk Water are sabering the moment as a fleet of alternative water devices called ToWBi’s are given Star Wars-inspired monikers.
The ToWBi’s are large water carrying devices, used to support customers when there is a risk to their supply from things like burst water pipes. They can be towed to areas affected, carrying up to 2,000 litres of water at a time, and are useful to keep schools, care homes and blocks of flats supplied with water during emergency repairs to the water network.
Our ToWBi’s are also used sometimes to support local community or charity-based events, to help keep people hydrated and prevent reliance on plastic bottled water.
There are five devices in total and they have been named:
- Towbi-Wan-Kenobi
- Luke-Sky Water
- Princess Leak-a
- Darth Water
- Han Soak-lo
The names were chosen from a shortlisted selection, after staff were asked to make suggestions and 70% of colleagues at the water company took part in the poll.
Carly Grey, Head of Water Networks, said: “We have colleagues across all sorts of jobs, many of whom aren’t necessarily aware of the amazing work of our alternative water team, or of the ToWBi’s and their little sibling, the MoWBi.
The MoWBi is a smaller water saving device that carries 120 litres of water and is for individual households and those on the water company’s priority services register.
“Naming the devices was a fun way to introduce the device to more of our colleagues and now to the wider general public. We hope you enjoy the names as much as we do!”
The name was unveiled as part of the Essex & Suffolk Water’s Innovation Festival on Thursday 7 May, because the innovative design of the MoWBi’s and ToWBi’s came about from partnership working between the water company and Furst Technologies.
Conrad Baxter, Managing Director of Furst Technologies, said: “It’s great to see the ToWBi’s receive such iconic names, particularly being a Stars Wars Fan since I was a child.
“Essex & Suffolk Water are industry leaders in developing technology to maintain customers in supply, we are very proud to have worked with them on this project, and witness first-hand their unwavering commitment to customer service.”
If you see any of our ToWBi’s out and about in the community, please take a photo and tag Essex & Suffolk Water on social media.