Grant News

Ofwat, the independent regulator for water services in England and Wales, has unveiled the sixth round of its Water Breakthrough Challengeto support innovation in the water sector through 2030. The regulator said the scheme will accelerate projects that cut carbon, improve efficiency, and strengthen resilience across England and Wales.

The fund, part of Ofwat’s £200 million Innovation Fund, is open to regulated water companies working with partners from industry, academia, and the voluntary sector. Successful projects are expected to deliver benefits for customers, the environment, and local communities.

David Black, Ofwat’s Chief Executive, said the challenge is designed to spark “fresh thinking and practical solutions” at a time of mounting pressures. “We want to see projects that will not only benefit water companies and their customers, but also deliver wider environmental and social value,” he said.

Since its launch in 2020, the Innovation Fund has supported a wide range of schemes, including smart leakage detection and nature-based flood management. Ofwat said the expanded funding to 2030 will build on this progress, scaling up solutions that address long-term challenges such as climate change and water scarcity.