A UK project that will help predict and detect harmful algal blooms in lakes and reservoirs is among 16 winners that have been awarded funding through the Ofwat Innovation Fund’s fifth Water Breakthrough Challenge.

South West Water will lead the initiative which involves the development of new tools to predict and manage harmful algal blooms before they grow, working in close partnership with the University of Exeter, the Centre for Resilience in Environment, Water & Waste (CREWW), Plymouth Marine Laboratory and other academic and industry collaborators.

Harmful algal blooms (HABS) are a growing concern for water companies and communities across the UK. These naturally occurring events are caused by the rapid growth of algae in water and they are becoming more frequent due to climate change and pollution.

The blooms affect many parts of the UK from lakes to reservoirs by making water harder to treat, harming fish and wildlife, and reducing access to recreation. The project, Prediction & Early Detection of Algal Blooms in Lakes & Reservoirs (PEDAL), will receive a share of more than £42 million awarded to initiatives that tackle major challenges in the water sector.

South West Water’s PEDAL project, which is due to start in October 2025 and will take three years to complete, will combine satellite images and drone technology with water quality data and input from local communities to build an early-warning system for algal blooms.

Using artificial intelligence, the new system will help water companies to take action on HABS sooner which will improve water quality, protect nature and reduce treatment costs for customers.

Andrew Pennington, innovation programme & partnerships manager at SWW, said, “Algal blooms are a growing national challenge for the water industry, impacting water quality, biodiversity, and public enjoyment of natural spaces.

“With PEDAL, we aim to move from reacting to these events to mitigating their impact early on. This project will help us protect the environment, reduce treatment costs, and ensure reliable, high-quality water for our customers.”

Professor Lisa Roberts, president and vice-chancellor of the University of Exeter said, “This project has the potential to develop pioneering new methods to predict and detect the onset of algal blooms in our water systems, to help experts take action before they affect both water quality and supply. It will help companies to continue to ensure safe, affordable water and protect our natural spaces and ecological health.”

David Black, chief executive of the water industry regulator for England and Wales, Ofwat, said: “Water underpins our society and economy, and the water sector faces a range of challenges requiring urgent solutions. The Ofwat Innovation Fund was established five years ago to incentivise the water sector to collaborate with partners across industry, charities, and academia to accelerate the pace of transformation and create lasting benefits for customers and the environment.

“The level of ambition of this year’s winners is remarkable. We are supporting these projects to prove their impact so that they can be scaled, not only here in England and Wales, but exported around the world as a driver of economic growth.”

The Ofwat Innovation Fund is a key pillar in Ofwat’s mission to drive innovation that ensures the water sector in England and Wales is ready for the challenges of the future and results in better outcomes for customers and the environment. It is delivered by innovation prize experts Challenge Works (part of the Nesta group), in partnership with consultancies Arup and Isle Utilities.

To find out more about all 16 of the winners of the fifth Water Breakthrough Challenge or to discover previous winners, visit waterinnovation.challenges.org