Water regulator Ofwat has unveiled the 20 finalists for its £4 million Water Discovery Challenge funding scheme. The competition aims to support innovative projects from outside the water sector that can address pressing challenges faced by the industry, such as climate adaptation, decarbonisation, efficiency improvements, and pollution reduction.

One of the projects addressing multiple challenges is Kiacrete, developed by Imperial College London. Kiacrete has created permeable paving slabs that allow rainwater to drip through into underlying plastic collection systems. This enables the reuse of water while reducing the risk of flooding.

The Fish Friendly Hydropower Company is another recipient of Ofwat's support. The company is developing small-scale hydropower turbines that can generate electricity from water flowing through pipes. Other innovators are working on technologies to transform contaminated water into energy while simultaneously cleaning it for reuse.

Amid ongoing concerns about the water sector's efficiency, Ofwat is also backing solutions aimed at improving water management. One example is a "spray-on" pipe liner developed by Resimac Limited in Yorkshire, which can repair leaks.

Furthermore, several innovations are being developed to tackle pollution and reduce storm overflows, where untreated sewage is discharged. Ofwat is supporting the Water Research Centre in the development of a low-cost water monitoring system to better understand the environmental impact of storm overflows.

The 20 finalists will receive up to £50,000 from the Ofwat Innovation Fund, along with practical support and mentoring from water companies. Later this year, up to 10 of the finalists will have the opportunity to win up to £450,000 for further development and pilot projects.

Ofwat's CEO, David Black, highlighted the broad influence of water across all industries and expressed enthusiasm for seeking proposals from adjacent industries to help ensure a safe and sustainable water supply. He stated that the finalists' ideas address key concerns for the future of the water sector, such as future-proofing cities and anticipating the impacts of climate change, and he looks forward to supporting the realization of these ideas.

Earlier this year, Ofwat also announced £40 million in funding through its Water Breakthrough Challenge, which is open to organizations within the water sector. This funding has already supported projects such as flexible water "batteries" for farms and the UK's first full-scale, carbon-neutral wastewater plant.