Fundamental and applied research for the water sector. This function generates and shares validated knowledge, models, methods, datasets, and prototypes that provide a scientific evidence base and reduce technical uncertainty before further testing and development.
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Cranfield University
Providing research, training, and innovation support across water & wastewater treatment, resource recovery, and catchment management.
How to get involved
Collaborate via Cranfield Water Science Institute, explore PhD and industry projects.
Type/Sector
Academic / Applied Research
What they do
A postgraduate-only university specialising in supporting the water, energy, and environmental sectors with strong industry links.
University of Sheffield – Water Centre
The Sheffield Water Centre (at University of Sheffield) focuses on interdisciplinary research that addresses key engineering, social, economic and environmental challenges in water systems.
It works across water engineering, infrastructure, socio-economic dimensions and community engagement, with the aim of delivering practical solutions for industry and society.
How to get involved
Partner on research projects, join stakeholder forums, access publications.
Type/Sector
Academic / Engineering & Social Science
What they do
Interdisciplinary centre tackling water challenges through engineering, social science, and community co-design.
University of Exeter - Centre for Water Systems (CWS)
CWS focuses on engineering-and-modelling of water systems: water supply and distribution networks, urban drainage, flood risk, water resources, resilience and smart/AI/“hydroinformatics” techniques
How to get involved
Engage in projects, partnerships, research programmes or postgraduate education
Type/Sector
Academic / Sustainability & Health / Innovation Management / Product Development
What they do
Multi-disciplinary Russell-group Research-led university with leading Engineering and Geography-centric Water research groups; AI and data science via computer science department; strong civic engagement and water systems modelling expertise. Leading test facilities, business school and a “try-it-here-first” estates-team to enable pilot projects on site.
University of Bath – WIRC
Focuses on applied research such as water recycling, smart sensors, pollutant removal, and resilience of water infrastructure working in partnership with industry and global stakeholders to translate innovation into practice.
How to get involved
Partner via WIRC consortium, join research projects, access facilities.
Type/Sector
Academic / Engineering & Policy
What they do
Multidisciplinary centre advancing sustainable water management and innovation in partnership with utilities.
UKWIR
UKWIR (UK Water Industry Research) is the convenor of collaborative research across the water sector, bringing together water companies, regulators, academia, and others to lead the research agenda in the UK and Ireland. By coordinating research efforts, UKWIR reduces duplication and strategic misalignment, providing a shared evidence base that supports sector-wide decision-making and long-term planning. With over 1,000 published R&D reports, it delivers actionable insights and robust evidence to help the sector understand and address its long-term challenges and opportunities.
How to get involved
Propose research projects, join steering groups, access open publications.
Type/Sector
Research / Water Sector
What they do
UKWIR leads collaborative research across the UK and Ireland’s water sector, uniting key stakeholders and producing evidence-based insights to tackle long-term challenges and opportunities.
HR Wallingford
Addresses gaps in flood modelling, coastal resilience, and sediment transport by offering world-class infrastructure simulation and consultancy. It helps de-risk major projects and inform policy.
How to get involved
Partner on consultancy or research, explore careers and training.
Type/Sector
Independent Research / Engineering
What they do
Global leader in water-related engineering, modelling, and sustainable infrastructure design.
British Geological Survey
Helps overcome uncertainty in groundwater, geohazards, and climate impacts by providing authoritative geoscience data and monitoring. It supports sustainable resource management and hazard mitigation.
How to get involved
Access data; join research projects, explore virtual work experience.
Type/Sector
National Survey / Geoscience
What they do
Provides authoritative geoscience data and research to support environmental and water resource management
Water Research Foundation (WRF)
Reduces fragmentation in global water research by funding applied studies on drinking water, reuse, affordability, and stormwater. It helps utilities and innovators access validated, scalable solutions.
How to get involved
Subscribe; join webcasts, propose research, access publications.
Type/Sector
Nonprofit / Global Water Research
What they do
Funds and publishes applied research to improve water services and quality worldwide.
Imperial College London
Tackles barriers to interdisciplinary innovation by integrating engineering, climate science, and public health. It supports high-impact research and policy engagement across water and sustainability domains.
How to get involved
Collaborate via Strategic Futures Lab, join research groups, attend outreach events.
Type/Sector
Academic / STEM & Innovation
What they do
World-class university focused on science, engineering, and medicine with strong water and sustainability research.
Loughborough University
Helps overcome siloed thinking in systems innovation by combining sport, health, engineering, and community engagement. It supports inclusive research and civic partnerships that drive real-world change.
How to get involved
Join academic programmes, collaborate via research centres, attend events.
Type/Sector
Academic / Engineering & Social Impact
What they do
Research-led university with strong focus on systems thinking, performance, and civic engagement.
WIRe CDT
Is a UK-EPSRC-funded programme run by Cranfield University, University of Sheffield and Newcastle University that trains PhD students to deliver transformative, interdisciplinary research on resilient water infrastructure, including water/wastewater conveyance, urban drainage and infrastructure interdependencies.
How to get involved
For Aspiring PhD Students: Apply to the programme: WIRe CDT offers a fully funded PhD with an enhanced stipend for eligible students.
Type/Sector
Academic / Applied Research
What they do
WIRe CDT trains the next generation of water sector researchers and leaders.
GW4 Water Security Alliance
They unite researchers from Bath, Bristol, Cardiff and Exeter with industry, regulators and civil society to drive interdisciplinary R&D in water security and resilience.
How to get involved
Propose joint research, contact GW4 leads
Type/Sector
Academic consortium
What they do
The alliance brings together academics from the Universities of Bath, Bristol, Cardiff and Exeter as well as stakeholders from the private, public and third sectors.
CREWW
Siloed resilience research across water, waste, and environment; fragmented university collaboration on water resilience; lack of applied research platforms for pollution, leakage, and catchment management
How to get involved
Collaborate via joint research projects, doctoral training, or sector trials. Utilities, regulators, and innovators can co-develop studies, access lab facilities, or engage through CREWW’s partnerships with South West Water and Exeter University
Type/Sector
Academic Research Centre
What they do
CREWW is a transdisciplinary centre jointly between the University of Exeter and South West Water, established to tackle major water-sector challenges: drinking water quality (catchment to tap), wastewater/water reuse, pollution incidents, leakage, resilience under climate change and population growth.
EPSRC
Helps overcome underfunding in engineering and infrastructure innovation by investing in high-impact research and doctoral training. It supports the development of technologies critical to water resilience.
How to get involved
Apply for grants; join fellowships; partner on funded projects
Type/Sector
Research Council / STEM
What they do
UK’s main funder for engineering, ICT, materials, and physical sciences research
BBSRC
Tackles barriers in bioscience innovation by funding research in sustainable agriculture, biotechnology, and health. It enables cross-sector breakthroughs that support water quality and ecosystem health.
How to get involved
Apply for PhD studentships; join DTPs; collaborate on strategic programmes
Type/Sector
Research Council / Life Sciences
What they do
Funds bioscience research and training to advance health, food security, and environmental sustainability
Innovate UK
Addresses barriers to R&D and commercialisation by supporting innovation across sectors, from early stage through scaling and implementation. Helps bridge the gap between academic research and market-ready solutions Builds connections between innovators and end users through Innovate UK Business Connect and provides tailored support for innovators to scale through Innovate UK Business Growth.
How to get involved
Apply for R&D grants, Smart Grants, Innovation Loans, or join Knowledge Transfer Partnerships
Type/Sector
National Research & Innovation Agency
What they do
Funds business-led innovation; connects academia and industry; drives the UK’s technology and sustainability agenda