Image description: Ripples and bubbles within a water medium. Photo by Daniele Levis Pelusi on Unsplash

The seventh round of the Water Breakthrough Challenge (‘Breakthrough 7’), launched by Ofwat on Monday 7 September, will make up to £50 million available to highly collaborative water-sector innovations, aiming to deliver benefits for customers, communities and the environment.

The challenge is part of Ofwat’s £600m Water Innovation Fund, a 10-year initiative they hope will help the water sector meet the needs of customers while responding to environmental challenges.

Ofwat have said that for Breakthrough 7 they are seeking even bigger and bolder ideas, with a continued focus on generating and sharing knowledge, and rolling out successful innovations. In particular, there is a focus on projects that could help the sector adapt to droughts and climate risks, ending the over-reliance on storm overflows and combating issues related to forever chemicals.

Two streams of funding

Funding will be awarded through two streams: a Catalyst stream for partnerships, offering £150,000 and £2m, and a Transform stream, offering £2m and £10m.

Entries can be broad in scope and could include anything from ideas for how rivers could be cleared up and the water sector achieve net zero, to projects that protect natural ecosystems, prevent leaks and pollution, and cut costs for customers.

• The Catalyst stream: awarding between £150,000 and £2 million. It will close for entries on 5 January 2027.
• The Transform stream: awarding between £2 million and £10 million. First stage entries close on 28 September, with the most promising entries subsequently invited to enter Stage 2 on 16 November.

Ofwat says winners will be announced in May 2027.

Dr Jo Jolly, Ofwat’s Director for Natural Assets, Environment and Innovation, said: “No single organisation can solve these challenges alone. The breakthroughs we need will come from radical collaboration across sectors, bringing together expertise, technology, investment and the power of nature itself. From restoring rivers and tackling forever chemicals to mindset shifts such as nature as critical infrastructure, we are looking for innovators prepared to push boundaries and challenge convention.

“That is what our Breakthrough Challenges are all about: finding the ideas bold enough to meet the moment and turning them into solutions that repair our environment, strengthen our economy, and help communities thrive.”

More information about the Water Breakthrough Challenge, including the entry form, assessment criteria, terms and conditions and how to book a one-to-one with the delivery team can be found at: waterinnovation.challenges.org