Ofwat seeks £40m innovation Breakthrough

Ofwat is to launch the first round of the main competition under its new Innovation Fund on 6 May.

Awards of between £1m and £10m, totalling £40m, will be up for grabs in what has been named the Water Breakthrough Challenge (though smaller value bids may be considered from small water companies).

The competition aims to encourage collaborative, innovative initiatives that help tackle the biggest challenges facing water and wastewater services, such as achieving net zero, protecting natural ecosystems and reducing leakage, as well as taking opportunities to use open data and deliver value to society.

Entries must be submitted by water companies in England and Wales, but they can enter in partnership including with universities and institutes, retailers, start-ups, or small businesses in sectors such as energy, manufacturing, health, or financial services.

The Breakthrough Challenge is run by Ofwat and Nesta Challenges, supported by Arup. It runs alongside the £2m Innovation in Water Challenge and is funded by the £200m pot Ofwat earmarked for 2020-25 at PR19.