MOSL is working with the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) on a multi-million-pound contract to improve businesses’ water efficiency in the Cambridgeshire area.
The £3.1 million contract will enable MOSL and partners to establish and administer a new water efficiency fund for business customers in the Cambridge Water Resource Zone. Launching in spring 2026, the two‑year pilot will provide direct financial support to businesses to help reduce water use through water-saving products, projects, and on-site efficiency measures.
The programme aims to alleviate immediate water resource pressures in the area, as water companies deliver major water infrastructure projects for the longer term (funded through PR24). The contract forms part of Phase 2 of the Greater Cambridge Water Efficiency Programme, funded by the Government, which has been established to deliver a range of water-saving initiatives in the region.
MOSL will administer the pilot through a clear and robust governance framework and will be working in partnership with Weir The Agency, Isle Utilities and the Environment Agency to promote, operate and verify the impact of the fund. By leveraging strong partnerships and market expertise, the scheme aims to deliver measurable water savings and provide a timely, targeted intervention to support sustainable growth in Cambridgeshire.
Benefits for businesses, communities, and the environment
The fund, alongside the Government’s wider programme of work, will help to free up additional water for housing and commercial developments by easing pressure on groundwater sources, supporting Cambridgeshire’s position as a global centre for innovation.
It will also help clarify the role of retailers and business customers in driving water efficiency, generate valuable insights into customer behaviour, and provide a scalable model for other water-stressed regions across the UK.
John Gilbert, Head of Planning, MOSL said: “As the market operator for the business water retail market (BRM), our independent role, deep understanding of the market and experience of administering innovation funds puts us in a strong position to help shape the pilot, ensuring it delivers real value for business customers, as well as trading parties operating in the Cambridge area.
“We’re excited to support such an innovative and necessary programme. The pilot will help businesses reduce costs and strengthen their resilience, while also supporting sustainable regional growth. It’s a great example of how collaboration and targeted investment can unlock meaningful environmental and economic benefits.”
Miranda Rennie, Co-founder, Weir The Agency, said: “Cambridgeshire is a clear example of where water scarcity is already constraining growth. This programme matters because it combines investment with strong governance and a focus on real, measurable behaviour change.
Weir has spent several years delivering water-saving programmes in Cambridge, and supporting MOSL and Isle Utilities on this next phase allows us to build on what we know works locally and help shape a model that can be scaled to other water-stressed regions.”
Karen Georges, Managing Director, Isle UK, said: “Isle is proud to bring our technical expertise to this landmark pilot. Protecting the Cambridgeshire chalk aquifers while supporting regional growth requires more than just high-level strategy; it requires the rapid, effective deployment of water-saving technologies. We are excited to help bridge that gap and deliver the tangible environmental outcomes this region needs. “
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About MOSL
MOSL is the market operator for the business water retail market in England, which opened in 2017, enabling more than 1.2 million business customers to choose who supplies their retail water and wastewater services. We sit at the centre of the market, with access to central market data, processing more than 90,000 transactions each day through the Central Market Operating System (CMOS).
We work with retailers, wholesalers, customers, and key stakeholders to identify and implement ways to improve the market. MOSL administers the Strategic Panel’s Market Improvement Fund and Ofwat’s Innovation Fund and has allocated more than £195.2m to projects designed to improve the functioning of the business water market and deliver benefits to business customers.
About Weir the Agency
Weir The Agency is an award-winning behaviour change and sustainability communications agency specialising in water efficiency and climate resilience. Weir works with water companies, regulators, developers and delivery partners to design and deliver programmes that turn ambition into action and achieve measurable environmental impact.
In Cambridge, Weir has played a key role in the development and delivery of locally tailored water-saving initiatives, including Can for the Cam and Yes We Cam. These programmes combined behavioural insight, creative engagement and robust evaluation to drive real reductions in water use across communities, businesses and institutions.
Weir was co-founded by Jane Bellard and Miranda Rennie and was named Communication Agency of the Year at the 2024 edie Net-Zero Awards.
About Isle Utilities
Isle is a global leader in water innovation consultancy, partnering with stakeholders to bridge the gap between complex challenges and scalable solutions. Our team integrates technical rigor with commercial and regulatory foresight to provide a holistic view of the water landscape.
Beyond traditional consultancy, Isle drives industry progress through flagship initiatives like the Technology Approval Group (TAG). This global network connects innovators with end-users to evaluate and pilot emerging technologies, fostering a collaborative ecosystem of over 250 members across 20 countries.
