MHCLG to pilot a £3m fund to cut business water use in Cambridge

(by Karma Loveday)

A new £3.1m, two-year water efficiency fund for business customers in the Cambridge Water Resource Zone will launch in spring 2026.

The scheme will pilot the provision of direct financial support to businesses, funded by the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG), to help reduce water use through water-saving products, projects, and on-site efficiency measures.

The aim is to alleviate water resource pressures in Cambridge with measurable demand reductions, until supply-side solutions come on stream. The intention is that this will free up additional water for housing and commercial developments, generate valuable insights into customer behaviour, and provide a scalable model for other water-stressed regions across the UK.

MOSL will administer the pilot and will work in partnership with Weir The Agency, Isle Utilities and the Environment Agency to promote, operate and verify the impact of the fund.

• The Regulators Alliance for Progressing Infrastructure Development (RAPID) has delayed the date for Cambridge Water and Anglian Water to submit their Fens Reservoir plans for Gate Three assessment. This was scheduled for 30 April 2026, but RAPID flagged up "important areas which require further work to achieve the maturity required for a gate three submission. This includes areas such as remaining optionality in solution design, including the possible sources of water to fill the reservoir, and protection of the environment”. RAPID asked the companies to present a detailed work programme by March, so it can set a new Gate Three submission date.