Businesses across Hampshire, Sussex, Kent and the Isle of Wight are being invited to apply for funding to support new water-saving projects.
Southern Water’s Business Partnership Fund is designed to help local firms and organisations reduce water usage and lower their bills, while supporting wider efforts to tackle water scarcity in the South East.
The fund is open to retailers, businesses and third-party conservation providers across the region. The latest application window opened on Wednesday 1 April 2026 and will run until 15 July 2026.
The scheme encourages collaboration between businesses, water-efficiency organisations and retailers to reduce reliance on mains water. Since launching in 2023, it has supported a wide range of initiatives, including rainwater harvesting for bear ponds and more than 20 projects in schools, garden centres and leisure centres.
Together, these projects have saved more than 50 megalitres of water – the equivalent of around 20 Olympic-sized swimming pools.
Other funded initiatives have included installing water-saving technology in hotels, rainwater collection systems on allotments, upgrading community halls with water-efficient washrooms, and using recycled water in construction cleaning processes.
The push for greater water efficiency comes as the South East faces increasing pressure on its water supply. Population growth, climate change and low rainfall mean demand could outstrip supply by 2030 if action is not taken.
Southern Water’s Water Efficiency Manager Kayleigh Sharman said: “Our Business Partnership Fund has powered some truly innovative schemes, saving a huge amount of water at a time of water scarcity in the South East. We’re pleased to be offering a new round of funding to help more businesses in our region to become water efficient.
“If you have an idea for a project – whether it’s harvesting rain or shower water, fitting flow restrictors on taps, education or behavioural change programmes, or anything else – we want to hear from you.”
Further details about the fund and how to apply are available via Southern Water.
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