The weCB Fund’s most frequently asked questions
FAQ
The weCB Fund’s most frequently asked questions
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
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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.
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The weCB Fund is 100% UK Government funded, by the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG).
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Applications for Round 2 will open this summer.
Due to the volume of Round 1 applications received, we are now reviewing the planned opening date for Round 2. The weCB Fund will return for applications this summer, with detailed milestones shared as soon as they are confirmed.*
*Dates and times subject to change.
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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.
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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.
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Yes.
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Yes. A small set of weCB Fund branded materials are available to support prospective applications and internal discussions about proposed projects.
The pack includes brand guidelines, logo files and a PowerPoint template.
Please note that use of these materials does not mean funding has been awarded or a proposal has been approved. They should not be used for wider public-facing marketing without prior agreement, and should not be substantially altered or shared with third parties. Any public-facing use of materials featuring the 'Funded by UK Government' marque should be referred back for approval.
Eligibility & partnerships
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Any business, including start-ups and scale-ups, or non-household customers 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.
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Yes – but only for non-household customer premises. The local authority can apply as a lead or solo applicant, or as a partner.
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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.
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Single applicants or consortia can both apply for the weCB Fund.
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No. There is no specific preference, and therefore no influence on funding decisions.
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For up 12 months after a funded project’s completion, for verification purposes.
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There is no strict Technology Readiness Level requirement, but applicants must show they can deliver water savings within a short timeframe (e.g. within a year).
Costs & funding
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Between £500 and £100,000.
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The applicant or a responsible post-holder.
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The payment schedule for Round 2 will be confirmed this summer.
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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.
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Yes – as long as the weCB Fund award would not duplicate funding for the exact same water-saving project.
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No.
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All bids must exclude VAT.
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Provide your anticipated operational costs, including staff time.
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Divide the total project cost (ex VAT) by the predicted litres a day that will be saved. i.e. £/litres/day.
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No, ongoing maintenance is not currently funded.
Application process
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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).
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Retrospective funding is not available. However, applying for a new intervention at a site with existing measures could potentially be successful.
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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.
Round 2 opens this summer.
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You can find your retailer’s name at the top of your water bill. If you don’t have a bill to hand, you can also search using Ofwat’s Open Water website. You just need your address and postcode.
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Technical calculations, previous pilots and a monitoring plan.
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Manufacturer specs, warranty details and a maintenance plan.
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Yes. Remember to include all relevant site postcodes in your application, attached in a spreadsheet e.g. Excel file.
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There is no limit on the number of applications by an applicant.
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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.
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Yes. Please contact weCBFund@isleutilities.co.uk to discuss your requirements and arrange support.
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Please contact the weCB Fund directly – we’re here to help.
Winning entries
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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 online application form, when it opens this summer, by clicking on the ? next to relevant questions.
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Yes, if you requested a fund award of £2,501 or more.
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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.
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MOSL, on behalf of MHCLG, and the successful application’s business owner or responsible post-holder.
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MOSL and the successful applicant.
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The Environment Agency’s role is primarily to verify savings, not to carry out the monitoring itself. Applicants are responsible for demonstrating and measuring their savings, but they can include those costs in their application. Applicants are encouraged to include data loggers and verification costs in their proposals. Overall, responsibility lies with the applicant.