Water Breakthrough Challenge 3

Water Breakthrough Challenge 3

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What are the Water Breakthrough Challenges?

The Ofwat Innovation Fund is a pioneering programme to unleash waves of innovation in the water sector.

The overarching objective of these Water Breakthrough Challenges is to help the sector meet the needs of, and create long-term value for, customers, society and the environment. 

The third round of the Water Breakthrough Challenge ‘Breakthrough 3’ is now open for applications, with two streams of funding available for water companies in England and Wales.

Go to the official challenge site

Two funding award challenge streams

The Catalyst stream aims to encourage new ways of working that go beyond business-as-usual innovation practices in the water sector.

In particular it aims to increase and improve collaboration and build partnerships from within and outside the water sector.

Approximately £8 million is available for entries seeking funding from £150,000 up to £2 million.

  • Approximately £8 million is available.
  • Individual entries can bid for £150,000 – £2 million.
  • Entries opened on 3 October 2022 and will close on 8 December 2022 at 12 noon (GMT).

More about Catalyst

The Transform stream aims to spark ambitious innovation and enable new approaches and ways of working, which will equip the water sector with ways to address the big challenges it faces.

It aims to drive far-reaching and long-lasting benefits for customers, society and the environment across England and Wales, now and into the future.

This round, approximately £30 million is available for entries seeking funding between £2 million and £10 million. Subject to certain conditions, Ofwat is open to accepting entries bidding for greater than £10 million.

  • Approximately £30 million is available.
  • Individual entries can bid for £2 million – £10 million.
    • Subject to certain conditions, Ofwat are open to accepting entries requesting greater than £10 million.
  • Stage 1 opened on 3 October 2022 at 12 noon (BST) and will close on 9 November 2022 at 12 noon (GMT).
  • Stage 2 entries open on 8 December 2022 at 12 noon (GMT) and will close on 2 February 2023 at 12 noon (GMT).

More about Transform

The four innovation themes

Since the Fund’s launch, entries to our competitions have had to align with one or more of Ofwat’s innovation themes, which are intended to highlight key areas where innovative thinking is needed in the water sector.


Following feedback during the pilot period, Ofwat have revised these themes to more closely align with 2050 water innovation strategy (PDF), the Welsh Government’s updated priorities for Ofwat (PDF) and the UK Government’s updated priorities for Ofwat.

One

Responding and adapting to climate change including achieving the sector ambitions of net zero carbon, zero waste and zero leakage

Two

Protecting and enhancing the environment and natural systems, to protect current and future customers from the impacts of extreme weather and pollution

Three

Delivering long-term operational resilience and understanding infrastructure risks to customers and the environment, finding solutions to mitigate these in sustainable and efficient ways.

Four

Testing new ways of conducting core activities to deliver the services customers and society need, expect and value both now and in the future.

The Water Breakthrough Challenges