The weCB Fund’s most frequently asked questions

FAQ

The weCB Fund’s most frequently asked questions

Illustration of two speech bubbles

If you can’t find the answer you’re looking for, try downloading the guide. This is a concise, easy to read 20-page PDF laying out the full fund details. If you still need help, please contact us – we’re here to support your application.

About the weCB Fund

Eligibility & partnerships

Costs & funding

Application process

Technical support 

Winning entries

About the weCB Fund

  • The Water Efficiency Cambridgeshire Fund, or weCB Fund, is a £1.6 million fund set up by the government to support non-household water-saving in the region.

    It is open to all types of water-efficiency projects and has an easy online application process. You can find out more by downloading the guide.

  • The weCB Fund is 100% UK Government funded, by the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG). 

  • Milestones*

    • Entries open: 13 April 2026, 09:00 

    • Entries close: 1 May 2026, 17:00 

    • Winners notified and contracts finalised (allocation period): 8 June to 3 July 2026

    • Winners publicly announced: 3 July 2026

    • Funded projects start: 6 July to 6 October 2026

    There are two rounds of funding planned. These are the dates and stages for Round 1. A second application window is planned for summer 2026, with dates to be confirmed.

    *Dates and times subject to change.

  • The weCB Fund is a 100% government-funded one-year pilot project exclusively for water-saving in the Cambridge Water Resource Zone.

    Other water-efficiency funds differ by area, funding provision or both.

    For example, the Ofwat Water Efficiency Fund is a national initiative, open to all non-household water-saving projects across the UK. It requires applicants to provide 10% of the total project cost via partnership with a water supplier.

  • Cambridgeshire has exceptional economic potential. But water supply issues are severely delaying development. As reported by the Environment Agency in 2021, climate change and modern water usage are combining to make Greater Cambridge ‘seriously water stressed’.

    By funding projects that lower non-household demand for potable water in the Cambridge Water Resource Zone, the weCB Fund aims to free up 2-3 megalitres per day (Ml/d) by 2032.

    This will create supply headroom within Cambridgeshire, enabling economic growth from new commercial and domestic development in the years ahead.

  • Yes. A second application window is planned for summer 2026, with dates to be confirmed.

Eligibility & partnerships

  • Any business or non-household customer with a project to improve water efficiency in the Cambridge Water Resource Zone (WRZ).

    Note: Water savings must be within the Cambridge WRZ. Your business or organisation does not need to be within the Cambridge WRZ.

  • Applications are welcome from a wide range of businesses and organisations, including but not limited to: water retailers with customers in the Cambridge Water Resource Zone, suppliers, efficiency auditors, innovators, trade associations and bodies, wholesalers, water-saving technology manufacturers and metering firms.

    Note: Water savings must be within the Cambridge WRZ. Your business or organisation does not need to be within the Cambridge WRZ.

    All non-household water customers within the Cambridge WRZ are also welcome to apply.

  • A Water Resource Zone is an area in which all customers share the same risk of a water shortfall.

    The Cambridge CRZ covers most of Cambridgeshire, including the city. You can see a map of the Cambridge WRZ here.

    Check to see if your water-efficiency project is within the Cambridge WRZ here.

  • Yes – but only for non-household customer premises. The local authority can apply as a lead or solo applicant, or as a partner. 

  • No. There is no specific preference, and therefore no influence on funding decisions. 

  • For up 12 months after a funded project’s completion, for verification purposes.

Costs & funding

  • Between £500 and £100,000.

  • The applicant or a responsible post-holder.

  • Payment will be made between 3 June 2026 and 3 July 2026 for Round 1. Note that larger awards may be paid in one or more stages, subject to agreed milestones.

    The payment schedule for Round 2 will be confirmed later this year.

  • This depends on the size of your funding request.

    Requests for £2,500 or less need to detail the resources (time and costs) that you will commit to the project.

    Requests for £2,501 or more must list capital and operational expenditure, plus any additional support you intend to provide. See the weCB Fund guide (p10) for further details.

  • Yes – as long as the weCB Fund award would not duplicate funding for the exact same water-saving project.

  • No.

  • All bids must exclude VAT.

  • Provide your anticipated operational costs, including staff time.

  • Divide the total project cost (ex VAT) by the predicted litres a day that will be saved. i.e. £/litres/day.

Application process

  • The weCB Fund is seeking projects focused on reducing potable (mains) water consumption. This could be via reducing usage (at supply points; where water enters the premises) and/or wastage (at drainage and sewage points; where water leaves the premises).

  • Retrospective funding is not available. However, applying for a new intervention at a site with existing measures could potentially be successful.

  • A completed online application, with details of your proposed project, estimated water savings and costs, and any necessary supporting documents. 

    The application is 27 questions, and you can save your progress and return to complete it at a later time. 

    We recommend setting aside 1 hour to complete the weCB Fund application. Make sure you finish your application by 1 May 2026, 17:00. 

  • Technical calculations, previous pilots and a monitoring plan.

  • Manufacturer specs, warranty details and a maintenance plan.

  • Yes. Remember to include all relevant site postcodes in your application, attached in a spreadsheet e.g. Excel file.

  • There is no limit on the number of applications by an applicant.

  • Yes, but successful applicants must agree to publicise their participation and results.

    Please note that your application may be shared with Isle Utilities, MOSL and MHCLG as part of the assessment process where appropriate.

  • Yes. Please contact weCBFund@isleutilities.co.uk to discuss your requirements and arrange support.

  • Please contact the weCB Fund directly – we’re here to help. 

Technical support

  • Please contact the weCB Fund – we’re here to support you. 

  • Please contact our technical support team at Award Force: support@awardforce.com‍ ‍

  • Our application process has been designed to allow you to create and submit unlimited applications. If you're having issues working on multiple drafts, please contact our technical support team at Award Force: support@awardforce.com

    Remember to email them from the same email address you used to register for the weCB Fund.

Winning entries

  • Applications will be judged on their contribution to the water reduction target (see p6 of the weCB Fund guide) and assessment criteria (see p13 of the guide). You’ll also find guidance throughout the application form – just click on the ? next to relevant questions. 

  • Yes, if you requested a fund award of £2,501 or more.

  • A successfully funded project is expected to:

    • Achieve its agreed-upon water savings

    • Pass due diligence

    • Produce shareable learnings and/or a case study

    You can find further details on p15 of the weCB Fund guide. 

  • Successfully funded projects must start between 6 July 2026 and 6 October 2026.

  • MOSL, on behalf of MHCLG, and the successful application’s business owner or responsible post-holder.

  • MOSL and the successful applicant.

Back to top
Back to top