The challenge aims to tackle a key bottleneck holding back the adoption of innovative products and materials in the water sector because of a lack of UK-based testing facilities.

Regulation 31 testing is needed for any materials and products that come into contact with drinking water to ensure they are safe before they are used in the water network. However, over the past three years a shortage in UK-based facilities has created long waiting times for new approvals and renewals, as well as cost uncertainty for suppliers – ultimately impacting which innovations water companies are able to use.

The eight finalists have been selected through the first Implementation Enablers challenge run in collaboration with the Drinking Water Inspectorate (DWI) to strengthen the UK’s Regulation 31 testing capacity.

Dr Jo Jolly, Director, Innovation, Ofwat, said:

“This programme has been a fantastic opportunity to collaborate with colleagues at the DWI to tackle a critical issue for the sector. By driving the creation of a range of testing facilities, with different operating and commercial models, we can ensure the market has access to the vital testing needed to approve new innovations for use.”

The finalists will each receive £50,000 in Stage 1 funding to explore their proposed solutions further and develop detailed delivery plans that set out the feasibility of their approach, the steps needed to bring new testing capacity online, and how their proposals will effectively integrate into the wider water sector landscape.

The selected proposals include plans to develop new water company laboratory capacity, expand existing commercial testing capability, establish university-led testing hubs, create federated networks of specialist laboratories, and build integrated centres capable of supporting complex materials testing.

Following Stage 1, delivery plans will be assessed, with selected winners eligible to receive up to an additional £1 million each to accelerate delivery of their proposed solutions.

Nicholas Adjei – Deputy Chief Inspector, DWI, said:

“The range of finalists demonstrates the strength of innovation and expertise across water companies, laboratories, universities and technology partners. We look forward to seeing how these ideas develop into credible delivery plans for new national testing facilities helping to support a more resilient, sustainable and cost-effective future landscape for the water industry and product manufacturers.

“The Regulation 31 Challenge is a collaborative innovative approach by the Drinking Water Inspectorate and Ofwat to support further long-term, sustainable testing capacity while maintaining the integrity and robustness of the Regulation 31 process.”

Lila Thompson, CEO at British Water, commented:

“The current lack of UK testing capacity required for full Regulation 31 is a critical bottleneck slowing down the adoption of new innovations. We are pleased to be supporting this much needed challenge which should deliver practical proposals to help remove that bottleneck and make it easier for safe, proven innovations to reach the market at pace.”

The challenge was developed in response to sector feedback that Regulation 31 testing capacity was creating delays and uncertainty for companies and innovators.

By supporting new approaches to testing capacity, the programme aims to help the sector adopt proven innovations more quickly, while maintaining the high standards required to protect drinking water quality.

The Implementation Enablers challenge is part of Ofwat’s Water Innovation Fund 'Water Innovation Implementation Programme', which is designed to help remove common barriers that prevent proven innovations from being adopted and scaled across the water sector. The Water Innovation Implementation Programme is being delivered collaboratively by Ofwat and Isle Utilities, with support from Arup.

Click here for more information about the finalists and the projects they will be leading