Nineteen innovation projects focused on river health, wastewater monitoring and low-carbon infrastructure have secured £58 million through Ofwat’s Water Breakthrough Challenge.
The funding, awarded through the Water Innovation Fund, supports projects across England and Wales aimed at improving water quality, reducing pollution and accelerating innovation across the sector.
Fungal filtration project targets river pollution
Among the winning projects is Mycofiltration: Using Fungi as a Natural Way to Improve Water Quality, which received £1.5 million to trial fungal-based filters at storm overflows and run-off sites.
The project is led by Anglian Water in partnership with Spore & Anvil, Imperial College London, the University of Essex, South East Water and others.
The fungi-based approach uses mycelia to filter pollutants from water through a process known as mycofiltration. The fibrous structures can physically trap contaminants while also breaking down pollutants including heavy metals, bacteria and insecticides.
Phil Buckingham, Head of Research and Innovation at Anglian Water, said the funding would support the expansion of natural treatment technologies across the water sector.
AI river monitoring and wastewater surveillance funded
Another project awarded £1.5 million is Good Vibrations: Ecoacoustic river health monitoring, led by Severn Trent Water alongside SUEZ and the UK Centre for Ecology and Hydrology.
The project will use underwater microphones and artificial intelligence to monitor river biodiversity and ecosystem health through sound analysis.
Meanwhile, Smoke in the Water: Uncovering Public Health Data in Sewers received £2 million to develop wastewater monitoring systems capable of identifying antimicrobial resistance trends.
The Leicester-based pilot combines AI, clinical data and sewer monitoring to detect antibiotic resistant infections, also known as superbugs, through wastewater analysis.
Low-carbon infrastructure and nature-based solutions
Several projects focus on reducing carbon emissions and improving resilience within water infrastructure.
Printfrastructure 2.0, led by Northumbrian Water, secured £1.9 million to advance 3D printed wastewater infrastructure using low-carbon concrete materials.
The initiative builds on previous trials that demonstrated reductions in construction costs and embodied carbon associated with wastewater storage infrastructure.
Other funded projects include Headstart: unlocking the value of headwater catchments, led by Anglian Water in partnership with the National Trust and Freshwater Habitats Trust, and Community Water Enterprises, led by Wessex Water with partners including the King’s Trust, Rivers Trust and Thames21.
Water Innovation Fund supports sector transformation
The Water Innovation Fund is investing £600 million between 2020 and 2030 to support innovation projects across the water sector.
Jo Jolly, Director of Innovation at Ofwat, said the sector must adopt “bold, innovative solutions” to address environmental and infrastructure challenges.
The seventh Water Breakthrough Challenge is scheduled to open for entries in September 2026.
Further details about the funded projects are available via the Water Innovation Fund website.
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