05 Aug 2026
Photo credit: Scott Graham Ofwat has opened a consultation on how the charges paid by new water suppliers to established companies are set out, part of an effort to make the figures clearer and more consistent. The proposals would add a formal annex to Ofwat’s bulk charging rules, setting standard ways for incumbent companies […]
27 Nov 2025
Image description: A hand holding a glass underneath a tap of running water. Photo by Swanky Fella on Unsplash A new £25 million challenge-led competition has been launched by Ofwat to drive innovations in water efficiency across England and Wales. The Water Efficiency Lab‘s inaugural round offers £5 million in funding, with grants up […]
12 Sep 2024
Ofwat has opened its fifth Water Breakthrough Challenge innovation fund competition. Water companies in partnership with innovators can apply for funding for projects to address the sector’s most pressing challenges, including climate resilience, enhancing the environment and finding better ways to meet customer expectations. Up to £40 million will be awarded through two streams: Catalyst […]
22 May 2024
Ofwat has announced the latest winners of Breakthrough Challenge innovation funding. The 17 winning projects will share £40mn, are led by water companies and seek to address strategic challenges including on climate change, leakage and operations. The winners include: Developing a market-based approach to deliver SuDS through street works Local Regeneration of Granular Activated Carbon […]
21 Feb 2024
The Ofwat Innovation Fund has announced the ten innovations which have worked their way to the top in the Water Discovery Challenge. Having launched in January 2023, this challenge seeks new, impactful ideas for the water sector. The winners have been awarded a share of £4.5 million to demonstrate how bold solutions can help solve […]
30 Mar 2021
New Department for Transport initiative will support development of zero emission vessels and infrastructure that can propel decarbonisation of shipping The government has called on shipbuilders, shipping firms, ports, scientists, and academics to submit proposals to a new competition for innovative technologies that can chart a greener future for the UK’s shipping sector. The Department […]
26 Aug 2020
First round of its innovation fund launching in January Ofwat has established a £200 million innovation fund to encourage innovations that will transform water and wastewater services in England and Wales. From 2021 we will be running at least two competitions that water companies and others can enter with their innovations. A £2 million ‘Innovation […]
13 Jun 2017
Utility Week ‘There are “major problems” with domestic reform in the water market Chief executive of The Water Retail Company, Lord Redesdale. Domestic water competition is “dead in the water” following the outcome of the general election, a senior water boss has insisted. “I would say it is highly unlikely that it will be rolled […]
