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Early Adopter & Fast Follower stream

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The Early Adopter & Fast Follower stream provides match-funding to help water companies implement innovations that have already been tested and proven. This includes water and wastewater companies, water-only companies, new appointees, or Infrastructure Provider Project Licensees. 

‘Early adopter’ water companies lead the first implementation of proven innovations, demonstrating how it works in practice and generating learning for others. ‘Fast follower’ water companies then implement the same innovation in their own context, drawing on the Early Adopter’s experience to accelerate and de-risk their adoption.

The Early Adopter & Fast Follower stream is designed to move solutions from pilots and demonstrations into routine operations, and to support it being copied across different water company areas. 

The programme is being run as a trial to understand what best supports innovation implementation at scale.  

Projects funded through this stream will be led by a single ‘Early Adopter’ water company, with a group of ‘Fast Follower’ water companies implementing the same solution in their own organisations. This collaborative model is intended to demonstrate repeatability, accelerate adoption, and maximise value for customers, communities, and the environment. 

Funding available

During the initial trial period, up to £15 million is available through this stream. Funding is provided on a 50:50 match-funded basis: 

  • The Programme can cover up to 50% of total project cost 
  • Each application can request between £100,000 and £1 million in match-funding 
  • There is a £5 million cap per innovation across the Early Adopter and all Fast Followers 
  • Early Adopters can also request up to £50,000 to provide structured support to the Fast Follower cohort (on top of the £5 million cap) 

Funding can support a wide range of eligible implementation costs, including equipment, site modifications, staff time, specialist consultancy, training and change management. 

Who can apply?

The stream is open to all water companies in England and Wales – including licensed water and wastewater companies, water-only companies, new appointees and Infrastructure Provider project licensees – that wish to implement a proven innovation.  

  • Early Adopter applications must be led by a single eligible water company 
  • Fast Follower applications are independently submitted by individual water companies wishing to implement the Early Adopter’s chosen solution in their own context 

To ensure equitable access, two Fast Follower places for each project will be reserved for companies serving fewer than 3 million customers, where there is interest and programme requirements are met. 

What we’re looking for

We are seeking strong, well-evidenced proposals that: 

  • Build directly on demonstrated trials, with a clear line of sight from original trial to proposed implementation
  • Demonstrate that the innovation is ready for implementation – technically robust, validated in relevant environments and compliant with regulatory, safety, quality, cyber and environmental requirements 
  • Show a compelling benefits case for customers, communities and the environment, with clear links to sector priorities 
  • Present a transparent, proportionate business case showing that expected benefits outweigh total implementation costs 
  • Set out a robust implementation plan, including activities, milestones, resourcing, governance and risk management 
  • Demonstrate a firm commitment to adoption beyond the funded period, aligning with AMP8/9 plans and organisational strategies 
  • For Early Adopters, include a clear support plan for Fast Followers, explaining how learning, tools and assistance will be shared strategies 
  • For Early Adopters, include a clear support plan for Fast Followers, explaining how learning, tools and assistance will be shared 

How it works

  1. Early Adopter application submitted and screened
    • The Early Adopter completes the application form and submits it, with supporting materials, via the Implementation Programme mailbox.
    • The delivery team checks eligibility and minimum quality requirements, providing feedback where improvements are needed before resubmission.
  2. Shared with the sector and Fast Follower applications invited
    • Once an Early Adopter application meets the required standard; it is shared with Implementation Representatives from all eligible water companies via an Implementation Review Forum.
    • Other companies have a three-month window to submit Fast Follower applications based on the Early Adopter’s proposal.
  3. Fast Follower applications assessed
    • Fast Follower applications are screened and reviewed to confirm eligibility and alignment with Programme requirements.
    • A minimum of two eligible Fast Followers is required for an implementation to be considered for funding.
  4. Final decision and award
    • Once at least two Fast Followers are confirmed, the Early Adopter and associated Fast Follower applications are considered for funding.
    • Ofwat, supported by the delivery team, makes the final funding decisions.
  5. Early Adopter implementation and learning
    • Funding is awarded to the Early Adopter to complete the first implementation.
    • Lessons learned and performance data are captured through a proportionate monitoring framework and shared with the Fast Followers.
  6. Fast Follower implementations and sector-wide learning
    • Fast Followers receive funding to complete their own implementations, supported by the Early Adopter using the additional top-up funding.
    • Learning from all participating companies is synthesised into accessible materials (for example case studies and implementation reports) for the wider sector.

Key dates

For the trial phase of the stream: 

  • Programme information released: Monday 2 March 2026 at 1pm (GMT) 
  • Launch webinar: Monday 2 March 2026 at 1pm (GMT) 
  • Applications accepted: 2 March 2026 at 1pm (GMT) – Tuesday 31 March 2027 at 1pm (BST) 

There is no fixed single round for applications – Early Adopter applications can be submitted at any point during the trial period, with Fast Follower windows opened following each approved Early Adopter proposal. 

How to apply

  1. Register an Implementation Representative
    • Each eligible organisation must nominate a single Implementation Representative as the main point of contact. Nominations should be shared to the [email protected]
  2. Prepare your proposal
    • Read the Early Adopter & Fast Follower Applicant Handbook and Terms & Conditions
    • Complete an Early Adopter Expression of Interest to help the Programme understand the pipeline
    • Engage internally to develop your implementation plan and business case
  3. Attend support events
    • Watch our launch webinar to learn more about the Programme and how to get involved. When you are preparing your applications you can also book a 1:1 session with the delivery team to receive guidance on completing the application form, developing your business case and creating your implementation plan.
  4. Complete and submit your application
    • Download and complete the application form and relevant templates
    • Submit your completed application to the Implementation Programme mailbox as outlined in the handbook.

If you have any questions after reviewing the materials, please contact [email protected].

Water Innovation Implementation Programme – Launch Webinar

We held a Launch Webinar on Monday 2 March 2026 at 1.00 – 2pm (GMT), for potential applicants and suppliers to learn more about the Water Innovation Implementation Programme, its aims and the application process, and ask their questions to the delivery team. 

Watch the recording on Vimeo

 

You can also find the transcript here (PDF, 205KB) and the slides here (PDF, 2MB). This Q&A document (PDF, 75KB) includes all questions from the webinar, covering both those answered during the live session and those addressed afterwards.

Supporting documents

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