South West Water launches new fund to support businesses with water-saving ideas

South West Water has opened applications for its new Water Efficiency Business Innovation Fund which is supporting businesses across the region to implement water-saving ideas.

Any company which uses water to operate will be eligible to apply, from hairdressers and farms to cafes or factories.

Innovative ways to save water could include a range of methods like using rainwater where tap water is not needed, optimising washing processes for food, beverage or laundry businesses, treating wastewater to reuse, or introducing new technology to reduce mains water demand.

Running alongside the new fund is South West Water’s Water Saving Community Fund, which supports grassroots projects which benefit local communities by promoting saving water.

Since April 2025 the Water Saving Community Fund has given away over £62,000 to 28 projects, helping to save 2.8 million litres of tap water.

What can the Water Efficiency Business Innovation Fund help with?

• Equipment hire and purchase
• Building and installation materials
• Skills and training
• Professional fees (process consultants, builders, contractors)
   

The fund is open to a range of ideas with funding of up to £15,000 available for larger projects.

Carmen Snowdon, Senior Demand Strategy Manager at South West Water, said: “We’re always thinking about water conservation and we want to support all our customers to do the same.

While our reservoirs are in a healthy position after a wet start to the year, climate change is showing us that we all need to be mindful of the water we use all-year around.”

The support on offer from our new Water Efficiency Business Innovation Fund will help businesses who typically use a lot of water to feel empowered and supported with their water-saving projects. We can’t wait to see what kinds of ideas businesses come up with.”

In addition to supporting businesses and community-led water-saving schemes, teams at South West Water are playing their part on the ground and working hard to drive down leakage on its own network.

The company is also helping customers to find leaks and supporting with repairs, as around 30% of water loss in the region comes from pipework that belongs to customers.

For more information on who is  eligible and how to apply, visit Water Efficiency Innovation Fund | Businesses | South West Water