Ofwat Fund picks boosting Reg 31 testing capacity as top innovation priority

(by Karma Loveday)

The Innovation Enablers stream of the Ofwat Innovation Fund has selected the the lack of resilient UK-based facilities capable of undertaking full Regulation 31 (Reg 31) testing as the first priority barrier to address head-on.

Reg 31 ensures that all materials and products used in contact with drinking water are safe and do not compromise water quality. However, there are no UK-based facilities offering the complete service. Ofwat said: “This creates a critical bottleneck that can delay, increase the cost of, or even prevent the implementation of new, technically validated innovations – and may discourage innovative suppliers from entering or scaling in the UK market.”

It explained there is a strong pipeline of products, materials and treatment solutions that require Reg 31 approval before they can be deployed. Addressing Reg 31 testing capacity has therefore been accelerated ahead of other barriers, due to its central importance for public health and its role in unlocking innovation across a wide range of solutions and companies. Ofwat specified: “The intention is not to replace existing or planned provision, but to strengthen and expand the overall Reg 31 testing ecosystem so that it remains rigorous, resilient, and responsive to future needs.”

The Fund is keen to hear from parties such as laboratories, universities, technical specialists, manufacturers and supply chain partners with relevant expertise. It said it is open minded not prescriptive about the exact solution: “We are interested in practical, credible approaches that could help increase and strengthen full Reg 31 testing capability and capacity in the UK. That might involve:

• New facilities.

• New partnerships or consortia. 

• Shared or distributed delivery models.”

The Implementation Enablers challenge on Reg 31 is live and open to applications until 1 May 2026. The process includes a Stage 1 award of up to £50,000 to develop a detailed delivery plan, including a feasibility assessment, and Stage 2 awards of up to £1m each for successful delivery plans, with a total budget of up to £3m for the challenge.

The Fund will select its next challenge barrier in May and has asked for input from interested parties.

The £10m Implementation Enablers stream focuses on tackling the shared, systemic barriers that slow or block innovation implementation across the water sector – for example by improving data practices, strengthening capability, refining processes or addressing cultural blockers. The goal is to create the conditions in which innovation implementation can thrive, delivering long-term benefits for customers, communities, and the environment. 

The stream is organised around three core stages: 

• Barrier identification and prioritisation

• Solution development – potentially through sprints and targeted calls to industry.

• Solution selection and support – Ofwat makes the final funding decisions and determines the nature and level of support (for example prototyping, piloting or roll-out activities).