Scottish Water, supported by the Can Do Innovation Challenge Fund, has up to £450,000 to invest in projects that explore ways of turning high-organic surface waters into drinking water that meets regulations.
The water company has more than 10,000 water supplies that serve only one home and another 20,000 that serve populations of fewer than 50 people.
Scottish rivers often have high or variable levels of organic matter - there is no effective point-of-use water treatment on the market capable of treating it and no reliable household solution. Current technology is either too expensive or requires a lot of maintenance.
Any organisations that can demonstrate a route to market for their idea are being invited to apply for a share of £450,000 to develop ways of treating high-organic surface water and delivering it to homes in Scotland.
Reliable point-of-use treatment systems are essential for long-term sustainability and provision of wholesome drinking water. Scottish Water is seeking ideas for water treatment systems that could supply rural, dispersed and remote island communities and also work for private supplies.
Systems must be simple for the general public to operate and maintain. They must also:
- meet quality standards
- be affordable
- recycle rain and grey water
- provide a complete treatment from source to tap
- be automated
Up to £150,000 is available to fund feasibility studies in a first phase with up to £300,000 is available to develop the most promising ideas in a second phase. Phase 1 contracts are expected to be worth up to £30,000 and last up to 6 months and phase 2 contracts to be worth up to £150,000 and last up to 12 months. The successful projects will attract 100% funded development contracts.
Funding for the competition is available under Innovate UK’s Small Business Research Initiative (SBRI).
The competition opens on 12 February 2018 and the deadline for registration is at midday on 18 April 2018.
A briefing event will also be held in Edinburgh on Tuesday 6 March 2018 – click here for details.
Click here for further information about the competition
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