Regulator Ofwat has announced the launch of a new £2m challenge to encourage the development of innovative solutions to the UK’s biggest environmental challenges, such as climate change and pollution.
Called the Innovation in Water Challenge (IWC), Ofwat will be running the scheme alongside Arup, innovation foundation Nesta and Isle Utilities and will be awarding innovative solutions to what it calls the “biggest challenges of today and the future” for the water sector. These are: the transition to net zero, the need to protect ecosystems from pollution and leaks and the need to deliver value for money for customers.
A grant of between £50,000 and £250,000 will be awarded to each winning project and Ofwat is not seeking water companies to develop technologies, systems or schemes in isolation, but to work in collaboration with others. Collaborations can be between water companies, or with organisations in the energy, manufacturing, health or financial services sector. Entries are open until 26th February.
Ofwat’s senior director, John Russell said: “We strongly believe in the power of partnerships and collaboration in bringing about more innovation that will help deliver better outcomes for customers, society and the environment. We are now at a pivotal point in the sector’s future and we’re excited to open up the door to innovation and new ideas from both within and outside the sector.”
The Ofwat announcement comes days after Water UK, which currently represents all the UK’s major water companies, was named by the UNFCCC as an official partner of the Race to Zero Campaign, created to encourage support for higher climate ambitions and accelerated action across businesses, cities, regions and investors globally ahead of COP26. Water UK is currently the first body to represent utilities that has been named as an official partner and is the driving force behind the water sector’s Routemap to reach net zero emissions by 2030.
