Daphne Water Solutions (DWS) has been named among the winners of Ofwat's Water Discovery Challenge finalist stage, securing funding to accelerate the deployment of its nature-based wastewater treatment technology. The company was founded following research undertaken at the University of Birmingham.
The £7.5 million competition, part of Ofwat's Water Innovation Fund, supports promising early-stage innovations that address major challenges facing the water sector, including water pollution, climate resilience and sustainable wastewater management.
DWS was recognised for its patented nature-based water remediation technology, which originated from research by Luisa Orsini, Professor of Evolutionary Systems Biology and Environmental Omics. and Karl Dearn, Professor of Mechanical Engineering, at the University of Birmingham. Since its formation, Daphne Water Solutions has advanced the technology through engineering, validation and commercial development. Their nature-based, zero-carbon solution uses water fleas to remove contaminants from water and is designed to provide a sustainable approach to wastewater treatment.
As a winner of the Water Discovery Challenge finalist stage, DWS will receive £100,000 in funding and mentoring support from across the water sector, accelerating the commercialisation and uptake of the technology.
Professor Robert Lee, Professor of Law at Birmingham Law School, has played a central role in the development of DWS since its inception, leading the company's regulatory and intellectual property strategy. His expertise has ensured that the cutting –edge engineering biology technology complies with environmental regulations while supporting its successful deployment in operational wastewater treatment settings.
Reflecting on the award, Professor Lee said: "We are grateful for this acknowledgement of the power of our technology and its capacity for water remediation. This is a nature-based, zero-carbon solution made possible by science developed at the University of Birmingham with a multi-disciplinary team of bioscientists, engineers and lawyers working together to make it a commercial reality.
Early careers researcher Iestyn Stead has also been instrumental in the engineering development and industrial deployment of the technology. He coordinated the design, manufacture, installation and operation of pilot systems, working closely with water utilities and engineering partners to ensure the technology can be successfully integrated into existing wastewater treatment infrastructure.
The award highlights the role of University of Birmingham research in developing innovative solutions to global environmental challenges and translating them into real-world applications.
Professor Orsini said: "The award launch on the 21st of July has reinforced that we are at an exciting turning point for Daphne Water Solutions. Meeting the programme's dedicated mentors has given us confidence that we have the right support to make the transition from successful demonstration to commercial deployment. This award represents an important milestone on our commercialisation journey and a tangible step towards delivering the long-term impact envisioned through the University's REF impact case. It demonstrates how fundamental research can be translated into innovative technologies that benefit society, support key industrial sectors and improve environmental sustainability.
