Grant News
Ofwat has launched a £5 million competition to fund new ideas that help reduce water use across England and Wales. The Water Efficiency Lab competition is part of Ofwat’s £100 million Water Efficiency Fund, which aims to strengthen and make the water system more sustainable for the future. The first competition focuses on “Actionable Insights” – using data to give people clear information about their water use so they can change their behaviour.
Projects can apply for funding between £150,000 and £1.5 million. The funding will support new technologies and data tools that help households and businesses understand how much water they use and find practical ways to cut it. Examples of the types of solutions that could be funded include:
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Customer tools that turn smart meter data into easy-to-understand information, plus real-time prompts or rewards to encourage people to save water – for example, highlighting use during heatwaves or comparing use with similar homes or businesses.
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Systems that monitor water use at the level of individual fittings, such as showers, taps or outdoor hoses.
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Simple sensor kits that can be installed at scale in homes and workplaces to track water use.
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New ways to monitor water use in buildings where it is difficult or not cost-effective to install standard water meters.
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Combined systems that detect leaks and track overall use, while also giving users feedback to help them change how they use water.
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Platforms that bring together data from different devices and sources, such as various types of meters or energy systems, in one place.
The competition is open to UK-based innovators from any sector, as well as international organisations that apply with a UK lead partner. Eligible organisations include water companies, technology firms, software and hardware developers, behavioural science specialists, consultancies, non-profit organisations and universities. Partnerships and consortia are encouraged, so organisations can combine skills and work together.
Projects seeking between £100,000 and £150,000 can also apply if they are mainly digital and can be delivered within 12 months. All projects must provide at least 10% match funding from other sources. The first Water Efficiency Lab competition opens at 1pm on 25 November 2025 and the deadline for entries is 1pm on 10 March 2026.
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