Water Innovation Potential Mapped at UK Summit

At the 2025 Innovation Summit in London, hosted by British Water and Bentley Systems, leaders across the water sector spotlighted new strategies to scale collaboration, funding, and technology adoption for sustainable water management.

• By Stasia DeMarco
• October 21, 2025

The need for innovation in the United Kingdom’s water sector has never been greater — that was the key takeaway from the Innovation Summit, jointly hosted by British Water and Bentley Systems on September 30, 2025, in London.

The event, developed by Bob Taylor, convenor of British Water’s newly launched Innovation Focus Group and chief executive of Portsmouth Water, was held in response to feedback from British Water members seeking greater guidance in navigating the country’s complex innovation ecosystem. For many, finding the right funding, forming collaborations, and scaling from pilot projects to full implementation remain significant challenges.

A Call for Innovation

“The challenges and the desire for innovation have never been greater in our sector,” Taylor said. He pointed to multiple pressures, including the 5,000 megaliter-per-day water resources gap and the 88 recommendations from the Independent Water Commission (IWC) Final Report.

While Taylor noted that funding is increasingly available — such as through Ofwat’s £400 million Innovation Fund — he emphasized the cultural barriers that still exist. “There’s a challenge of people being afraid to fail,” he said. “We can’t get it wrong.”

Mark Hannis, principal at the Ofwat Innovation Fund, echoed that sentiment, saying the fund’s success demonstrates the value of collaboration. “These partnerships are proof that working together is the new way forward in water,” he said.

Utilities Showcase Innovation Initiatives

Several water utilities shared their own approaches to fostering innovation.
Severn Trent’s senior commercial manager, Samantha Burrage, introduced the utility’s new Wavemakers Exchange, a platform designed to promote partnerships and train early-stage start-ups in navigating the UK’s regulatory landscape.

Strategic partnerships lead Clare Hughes noted that Severn Trent’s new direction “is not just about what Severn Trent wants — it’s what we can do to help you.”

At United Utilities, innovation is now “hardwired” into the company’s business plan, said Kieran Brocklebank, head of innovation. The company’s three-stage strategy advances internal “quick wins,” adopts “breakthrough” ideas new to UU, and drives “super radical” developments. One example includes a multi-partner Ofwat-funded project using AI models to analyze wastewater pipe footage for maintenance planning.

Angela MacOscar, head of innovation at Northumbrian Water, stressed that successful innovation depends on company culture. “The people in operations know where the gaps are,” she said. “They’re the ones who need to adopt innovation, so it’s really important that we work with that part of the organization.”

Building an Innovation Map

To support its members, British Water announced plans to launch an Innovation Map on its website. The tool will allow suppliers and technology providers to quickly identify innovation portals for water and wastewater utilities across the UK. The goal is to connect innovators with the right partners, streamline collaboration, and accelerate adoption of new technologies.

Expanding the Global Network

The summit also explored international collaboration. Jacob Tompkins, co-founder and director of the European Water Technology Accelerator, urged companies to pursue funding from diverse sources — from climate resilience initiatives to local innovation programs — and to target specific European markets rather than viewing the continent as a single entity.

British Water also signed a Memorandum of Action with Water Europe, establishing a framework for cross-border collaboration in research, business development, and sustainable water technology.

“We’re delighted to join forces with British Water to build a resilient, water-smart society,” said Andrea Rubini, director of operations at Water Europe. “This partnership will accelerate innovation and deliver real impact across Europe, the UK, and globally.”

Looking Ahead

Reflecting on the event, British Water chief executive Lila Thompson said she was encouraged by the energy and collaboration on display.

“I’m delighted that our first Innovation Summit brought together key stakeholders in the global innovation space,” Thompson said. “Our members play a vital role in unlocking innovation in water, with a wealth of embedded experience and expertise. It’s essential that everyone understands this fast-moving landscape and the opportunities ahead as we scale investment in infrastructure, technology, and innovation.”