The Water Innovation Fund has named twenty innovative projects as finalists in the second Water Discovery Challenge, with projects ranging from microscopic insects capable of cleaning wastewater, to imagery taken from space to detect problematic toxins before they enter waterways, and smart batteries to prevent sewage spills.

 Ofwat has published the Water Innovation Fund annual report 2026 - the Fund is a £600 million programme running from 2020 to 2030, designed to help the water sector deliver better outcomes for customers, communities and the environment through innovation.

Ofwat has announced the winners of the first Water Efficiency Lab competition - seven pioneering water efficiency projects have been awarded a share of £5.2 million to develop innovations that provide customers with insights to help them save water.

Ofwat has published an AI adoption plan for the water sector during the transition to the new regulators, saying given the pace of development and adoption of AI systems and the potential risks and benefits for the water industry in England and Wales, "we consider that this work should not wait until the new regulators are established.”

Leading organisations from across the worlds of technology, engineering and data are once again coming together to support Northumbrian Water’s Innovation Festival, as the landmark tenth event returns next month.

Registration has officially opened for Northumbrian Water’s tenth annual Innovation Festival – the event is set to be the biggest yet.

Northumbrian Water has become the first water company in the world to be awarded with a prestigious accreditation for innovation.

Ofwat has formally launched the Water Innovation Implementation Programme - a new £40 million funded programme of support within Ofwat’s Water Innovation Fund, currently being designed by Ofwat and its delivery partners, Isle Utilities and Arup.

NCC, part of the High Value Manufacturing Catapult, and the University of Bristol, has confirmed that the Large Structures Innovation Centre (LSIC) will be located on the Isle of Wight.

The Water Innovation Fund is opening its doors to innovators from outside the water sector to enter bold solutions to the urgent challenges facing the industry in England and Wales, as it announces the return of the £7.5 million Water Discovery Challenge.