Businesses across Dorset can now apply for funding to help reduce water use.
South West Water has launched its Water Efficiency Business Innovation Fund, inviting companies that rely on water in their day to day operations, including hairdressers, farms, cafes and factories, to put forward practical ideas that cut demand and improve efficiency.
Projects could involve collecting and using rainwater where mains supply is not required, improving washing systems in food and laundry settings, reusing treated wastewater or installing technology designed to lower overall consumption, with support available for equipment, materials, training and professional advice.
Up to £15,000 is available for larger schemes, while the company’s separate Water Saving Community Fund has already awarded more than £62,000 to 28 projects since April 2025, helping to save 2.8 million litres of tap water across the region.
Carmen Snowdon, Senior Demand Strategy Manager at South West Water, said reservoirs were in a healthy position after a wet start to the year but added that climate change showed “we all need to be mindful of the water we use all year around”.
She said the new fund would help businesses that use significant amounts of water to feel supported in delivering their own saving projects, as teams continue tackling leakage and helping customers identify and repair private pipework, which accounts for around 30% of regional water loss.
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