Farmers with ideas or early-stage innovations which could help address some of the challenges facing water supply are being invited to enter Ofwat’s new competition for funding, the Water Discovery Challenge.
Ofwat says it’s looking for innovation from water-using industries that might have new ideas on how to tackle issues such as managing leaks, preventing pollution and improving water efficiency.
A maximum of 20 teams will be awarded up to £50,000 to develop their ideas with support and mentoring from water companies, of which up to 10 will win as much as £450,000 to turn their ideas into pilots.
Ofwat senior director John Russell said: “It’s no secret that the water sector has faced challenges in the last year. As a regulator we’re constantly pushing the sector to overcome these. Water affects everyone, and it’s time we see what the water sector can learn from farmers, data specialists, architects and planners.”
For more information, go to waterinnovation.challenges.org/water-discovery-challenge. Entries close on April 5.
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