Spring, the UK and Ireland water sector’s innovation centre of excellence, has launched a new Water Innovation Strategy Ecosystem Guide — a practical resource designed to help innovators navigate, access and engage with the complex innovation landscape across the water industry.
The guide aims to provide a clear overview of innovation activity within the sector, outlining the roles of utilities, regulators, funders and partners. It enables innovators to identify opportunities, access support, and connect across industries, including energy, agri-tech, nuclear, and oil and gas.
Carly Perry, Managing Director of Spring, said the guide will help innovators connect across the water sector and beyond.
Carly Perry, Managing Director at Spring, said: “Spring is pleased to launch the Water Innovation Strategy Ecosystem Guide and living database on behalf of the water sector in the UK and Ireland. Working with a range of partners, we have created a practical tool for connection to help innovators – whether from utilities, academia, supply chains, start-ups or entirely new sectors – navigate the complex water innovation landscape more effectively.
“The result is a two-part resource: a high-level view of the innovation ecosystem and an ever-evolving database of companies and available support. Spring is proud to act as custodian of the Ecosystem Guide, maintaining it as a live resource, enabling feedback and supporting its use as a shared reference point.”
The Ecosystem Guide complements the Water Innovation Strategy 2050, which is owned and driven by UK water companies and for which Spring also acts as custodian. Since the Strategy’s publication in 2020, innovation activity in the sector has grown significantly, creating an increasingly complex landscape with more organisations, collaborations and evolving regulatory expectations. The new guide provides a single navigational tool to make engagement clearer and easier for innovators.
The resource defines six key functions within the water innovation ecosystem:
- Research and development
- Funding and investment
- Testing
- Implementation and adoption support
- Regulatory support and oversight
- Communication, collaboration and networking
Each function is explained in detail, including how innovators can best engage and when to do so for maximum impact. The accompanying live database of organisations and support mechanisms will continue to grow and evolve, ensuring that it remains current and inclusive. Organisations can update their details through an online submission form to help maintain an accurate, up-to-date picture of the water innovation landscape.
Perry added: “The guide is not a rewrite of strategic priorities – it supports the existing innovation strategy, making the innovation process clearer and helping innovators find the right support at the right time. With this resource, we hope to make it easier for new and existing innovators – including those from other sectors with relatable innovation – to engage meaningfully within the industry and with other stakeholders.”
The Water Innovation Strategy Ecosystem Guide also aligns with recommendations from the Independent Water Commission’s 2025 review, which called for stronger collaboration and easier access to funding. The Commission’s final report, led by Sir Jon Cunliffe, highlighted that increased adoption of innovative technologies could bring wider benefits, including carbon reductions, environmental improvement and long-term cost savings.
The Water Innovation Strategy Ecosystem Guide and accompanying live database are open-access resources and are available now via Spring Innovation.
