Overview
This series of webinars will introduce the Water Innovation Cross-Sector Challenge, a collaboration delivered by Innovate UK on behalf of the Ofwat Innovation Fund. It is being designed to unlock solutions that deliver mutual benefit across industries, landscapes and communities.
Water is not merely a resource we consume. It is a vital system that underpins our environment, economy and society. As pressures on the water environment intensify, from climate change and pollution to increasing demand across sectors, there is a need for joined-up, cross-sector innovation.
Session 1: An introduction to the challenge and the need for cross-sector collaboration and innovation (recording available below)
Session 2: Sustainable water resource management practices for food production, integrated nutrient management and Nature-Based Solutions (NBS), and how to strengthen water resilience across the UK agri-food system while delivering co-benefits for soil health, water quality, and biodiversity (recording available below)
Session 3 – Contaminants & Collaborative Source Control: Emerging contaminants such as pharmaceuticals, industrial chemicals, PFAS, microplastics and urban runoff are placing increasing pressure on the water environment. At the same time, evolving regulatory expectations and growing public concern are creating new incentives for upstream action, not just end‑of‑pipe treatment. This webinar explores how cross‑sector collaboration can reduce pollution at source, reduce long‑term risk, and unlock new innovation opportunities. (recording available below)
Session 4 – Innovative Water Resource Management to Unlock Sustainable Growth (2 April, 10-11am): This fourth and final webinar in the Water Innovation Cross Sector Challenge (WICSC) series will focus on collaborative water resource management and the competing demands placed on the UK’s finite water supplies by multiple sectors critical to national growth. The session aims to bring together stakeholders from high water use industries, infrastructure developers, environmental organisations, regulators, and innovators to explore how better resource management can support both economic development and environmental resilience.
Webinar recordings (most recent will appear first)
Who should attend
If you are working on water-related challenges or opportunities, this is your chance to connect, collaborate and shape the future of water innovation.
This session is open to stakeholders across the water system including utilities, agriculture, energy, infrastructure, digital, local authorities, academia and third sector organisations.
Why attend
- Understand the drivers behind the programme and the opportunities it provides
- Discover how cross-sector working can unlock scalable, systemic solutions
- Learn how to get involved in upcoming workshops, networking events and funding calls
Register now to be part of the conversation to deliver the ground-breaking development of cross sector solutions which support mutually beneficial and long-term systemic change for the water environment.
Important update: Our events are moving to Microsoft Teams
Our events are transitioning from Zoom to Microsoft Teams. If you’ve joined us before, you’ll notice this change when accessing the event link.
Accessibility and Inclusion
We are committed to ensuring our events are accessible for all.
If you experience any barriers to registering, for any reason, please contact us by email: enquiries@iukbc.org.uk or phone: +44 03333 403250 and we will support your registration.