Isle has announced its role as a key delivery partner for the £400 million Ofwat Innovation Fund (OIF), alongside Challenge Works and Arup. This initiative, which runs until 2030, provides a vital platform to foster and scale innovative technologies that go beyond business-as-usual practices.
The water sector faces immense challenges, from achieving net zero emissions and reducing leaks to preventing storm overflow overuse and adapting to climate change. Over the past five years, the Ofwat Innovation Fund has championed forward-thinking solutions — including pipebots for detecting cracks in hard to reach pipes, 3D-printed water infrastructure, and seagrass restoration for coastal resilience.
Caroline Wadsworth, Director of Innovation Partnerships at Isle Utilities, said:
“Isle has been instrumental in delivering the Ofwat Innovation Fund since its inception in 2020. We are thrilled by the fund’s incredible impact, supporting 93 innovative projects across 240 partnerships over the past five years. As the fund grows to £400 million, we are looking forward to enabling even more incredible projects and solutions that tackle the water industry’s toughest challenges, from achieving net zero to delivering cleaner rivers and seas.”
Isle brings a global team of highly skilled subject matter experts and an extensive track record implementing innovation projects — including the Trial Reservoir and Technology Approval Group (TAG). Having facilitated over $1 billion in external investment, Isle said it is well placed to co-deliver the expanded fund, ensuring competitions are impactful and aligned with industry needs.
Together with Challenge Works and Arup, Isle said it will co-design a framework that assures the viability, scalability and long term success of the supported projects.
