Implementation Enablers Stream

The Implementation Enablers stream focuses on tackling the shared, systemic barriers that slow or block innovation implementation across the water sector. 

This stream supports activities that make it easier for water companies, the supply chain or other innovators to implement successful innovations – 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. 

Funding available

Initially, up to £10 million will be allocated through the Implementation Enablers stream, with the potential to make more funding available as the Programme develops. Funding will be allocated in a needs-based, flexible way depending on the barrier being addressed and the nature of the solution selected. 

Support may include, for example: 

• Design and testing of shared tools, frameworks and guidance 
• Development of data standards and interoperability approaches 
• Creation of training, skills and support offers 
• New or improved collaborative processes and governance models across the sector 

Specific funding mechanisms (such as commissioned sprints or calls to industry) will be tailored to each barrier. 

What the stream will support

The Implementation Enablers stream is designed to fund activities that: 

• Address cross-cutting barriers to implementation that affect multiple companies and contexts 
• Are co-designed with stakeholders who experience those barriers in practice 
• Lead to practical, actionable solutions that can be adopted across the sector 

Examples of potential focus areas include (but are not limited to): 

• Data availability, quality and sharing 
• Skills, capability and capacity for implementation 
• Procurement, commercial and governance processes 
• Organisational culture and incentives 
• Integration of innovation into core planning and investment cycles 

How it will work

The stream is organised around three core stages: 

1. Barrier identification and prioritisation
   • Innovation stakeholders from across the sector – including water companies, regulators, suppliers and academics – share barriers they are encountering. If you have experienced a barrier to implementing innovation in the Water Sector, please let us know via this form.
   • A Sector Implementation Committee meets every 3 months to review this evidence, alongside learning from the Early Adopter & Fast Follower stream, to maintain an up-to-date picture of the most pressing barriers.
   • Each year, the Committee selects one or more priority barriers to address through focused work.
2. Solution development
   • For each priority barrier, the Water Innovation Implementation Programme works with stakeholders to identify and develop potential solutions.
   • Approaches may include:
     • End-to-end sprints – structured, time-bound processes that move from problem discovery to solution concepts, bringing together cross-sector expertise.
     • Targeted calls to industry and partners – inviting organisations with relevant tools or experience to propose solutions to the identified barrier.
   • Activities are designed to share focused, implementable solutions, not just analysis or reports.
      
3. Solution selection and support
   • Potential solutions are developed to a level that allows the Sector Implementation Committee and Ofwat to decide whether, and how, they should be supported by the Programme.
   • The Committee recommends solutions that address the agreed barrier, offer clear, tangible benefits for customers, communities and the sector, and are practical to deliver within the scope and resources of the Programme
   • Ofwat makes the final funding decisions and determines the nature and level of support (for example prototyping, piloting or roll-out activities). 

Not all organisations involved in generating solutions will necessarily receive funding, but all will contribute to building shared understanding and practical tools for the sector. 

First barrier: Regulation 31 testing capacity

Following early sector engagement during the design of the Water Innovation Implementation Programme, and a focused sprint in summer 2025, the first priority barrier selected for the Implementation Enablers stream is the lack of resilient UK-based facilities capable of undertaking full Regulation 31 (Reg 31) testing.

Reg 31 plays a vital role in safeguarding public health by ensuring that all materials and products used in contact with drinking water are safe and do not compromise water quality. However, current UK capacity to provide full Reg 31 testing is limited, with no UK-based facilities offering the complete service. 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.

As the sector faces increasing pressure to reduce leakage, improve resilience and decarbonise, the ability to move quickly and safely from trials to deployment on live drinking water assets is essential. Addressing Reg 31 testing capacity has therefore been accelerated as the first Implementation Enabler challenge, ahead of other barriers, due to its central importance in unlocking innovation across a wide range of solutions and companies. 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.

Trialling and learning

In line with the wider Implementation Programme, the Implementation Enablers stream is being run as trial. It will operate to 2030, with a formal review before the end of the current trial period on 31 March 2027 to inform any changes or extensions. 

The stream is deliberately flexible and adaptive: 

• Barriers and their relative priority may change as the sector’s needs evolve 
• Approaches to solution development may vary between barriers 
• Feedback from participants will be used to refine processes, tools and support offers over time 

How to get involved

There are several ways to engage with the Implementation Enablers stream: 

• Share and prioritise barriers to innovation implementation
  • Submit barriers that you or your organisation has experienced via our Innovation Implementation Barrier Survey.
• Take part in solution development activities
  • Join sprints, workshops and other events to co-design and test solutions to priority barriers.

Further opportunities, events and calls to industry will be announced on the Implementation Programme website and through Ofwat communications.

If you have questions about the Enablers stream, please email [email protected]

Supporting documents

• Implementation Enablers Overview (PDF, 215 KB)
• Implementation Enablers Reg 31 Challenge – Application Guidance (PDF, 175 KB)
• Implementation Enablers Terms & Conditions
• FAQs