Waterwise secures five major innovation projects to accelerate water efficiency
Waterwise is delighted to announce that we have secured funding for five major collaborative innovation projects, reinforcing our role at the heart of delivering practical water efficiency solutions across the UK.
Four of the projects have been awarded funding through Ofwat’s first Water Efficiency Lab (WEL) competition, with a fifth funded through the new Cambridge Water Efficiency Fund (known as the weCB Fund).
Together, these projects will explore how technology, behavioural science, AI, partnerships and community engagement can help reduce water demand, improve resilience and deliver lasting environmental benefits.
50L Home England Pilot
One of just seven successful projects selected through Ofwat’s inaugural Water Efficiency Lab, first round of funding, the 50L Home England Pilot is a flagship national programme that will test how households can significantly reduce water use without compromising comfort or convenience.
Convened by the 50L Home Coalition, on behalf of the World Business Council for Sustainable Development (WBCSD), the pilot brings together water companies, housing providers, global manufacturers, researchers and delivery partners to combine water-efficient products and fittings, AI-enabled insights, smart meter data and behavioural science. Building on the success of the Los Angeles pilot, the project will generate practical learning to support future water efficiency policy and delivery across England.
Waterwise is proud to be the Lead Pilot Delivery Partner, coordinating programme delivery and stakeholder engagement across the partnership.
Helping homes save water outdoors
Working alongside the Royal Horticultural Society (RHS) and project partners, Waterwise will support an innovative project exploring how smart meter data, behavioural insights and targeted advice can help households reduce outdoor water use while maintaining healthy gardens. The project aims to develop practical approaches that can be scaled across the sector.
MyWaterGPT
Waterwise is also a partner in MyWaterGPT, an innovative AI-powered digital assistant that will help customers better understand and manage their water use. The project, led by Advizzo, of Calisen Group, will explore how tailored prompts, personalised advice and AI can improve awareness, encourage action and help households reduce consumption. Waterwise will lead dissemination and sector learning, ensuring the insights benefit wider industries.
Water Insurance Nexus (WIN)
The Water Insurance Nexus (WIN) project, led by Quensus, will investigate how AI, smart monitoring, insurance and facilities management can work together to reduce water demand and leakage in commercial buildings. Waterwise will support dissemination, stakeholder engagement and sharing learning across the sector, helping maximise the project’s impact beyond the trial itself.
Growing Water Literate Organisations
Alongside our Water Efficiency Lab successes, Waterwise has also secured funding through the Cambridge Water Efficiency Fund for our project “A Wave of Change for Cambridge – Growing Water Literate Organisations across the City.”
The project will work with a major Cambridge employer to develop and pilot a Water Literate Organisation approach, combining staff engagement, training and accreditation to build a culture of water efficiency in the workplace while encouraging employees to take water-saving behaviours home. The project aims to reduce organisational water use while creating lasting behaviour change beyond the workplace.
More on the Water Literacy Programme.
Looking ahead
These projects represent a significant milestone for Waterwise and reflect the confidence that funders and partners have in our expertise, collaborative approach and independent leadership on water efficiency.
Over the coming months, we’ll be working closely with partners to mobilise these projects, share learning across the sector and demonstrate how innovation can help deliver the UK’s long-term water resilience ambitions.
We look forward to keeping members updated as these exciting programmes get underway.
