The Trial Reservoirs Initiative is now a not-for-profit, scaling water innovation funding to accelerate climate resilience and tech adoption. Learn more.
Why Trial Reservoirs Initiative Is Now a Not-for-Profit
Three years ago, we were at breaking point. COP26 had come and gone, water was once again sidelined in global climate discussions, and – not for the first time – the latest IPCC report laid out the climate catastrophe in stark detail. Despite growing recognition of water’s role in climate resilience, real solutions were still moving too slowly. We knew we had to act.
That frustration spurred us to action. Just a month after COP26 wrapped up, Isle launched the Trial Reservoir– our bold experiment to remove the friction that holds back innovation in the water sector. Our team had seen it all before: the siloed budgets, the slow procurement cycles, the proven technologies that didn’t quite get off the ground – not because of lack of promise, but because of structural hesitancy across the sector. Our goal was to de-risk new technologies and get them into the hands of the people who need them, fast. And it worked.
An award-winning model smashing barriers
Just three years on, we’ve completed 15 trials, 73% of which have been successful and led to implementation. This is nearly three times the industry average of 25%. Trial Reservoir has won multiple awards, and received the recognition and endorsement of the finance ministers of G20 countries. By removing the barriers that often prevent innovation from taking off, we’ve created a dependable pathway for de-risking proven technologies and helping businesses and utilities adopt emerging best practices for water. But as climate pressures escalate and the global spotlight continues to overlook water, it’s clear we need to go further.
Today, we’re proud to share a major milestone: the Trial Reservoir has transitioned into an independent not-for-profit organisation, now officially known as the Trial Reservoirs Initiative. After three years of refining our model and demonstrating its effectiveness, it’s time to scale. Despite strong results, we’ve still only scratched the surface – just 10 technologies adopted since 2021. That’s not fast enough in a sector where time is running out.
This change signals our uncompromising commitment to accelerating adoption through purpose-led action. By removing financial, legal, and organisational friction, we are opening the door wider, for end users, technology companies, funders, and mission-aligned partners who want to drive real, practical change.
As part of this evolution, we are proud to announce the creation of the Tech Ascend Foundation, a new home for the Trial Reservoirs Initiative and a platform to scale our impact. The Foundation will allow us to secure and replenish the core funding reservoir, reduce barriers to entry and sponsorship, and catalyse trials on a scale we’ve never been able to reach before.
The benefits of becoming a Not-For-Profit
As a not-for-profit, we can now accept grants, philanthropic donations, and sponsorship from mission-aligned partners. This will allow us to scale faster and ensure more utility and industry end-users can reap the benefits of the technologies they trial. Our sponsors will gain more too, including the chance for tax-effective donations, a seat at our strategic advisory board, and direct insight into the trials we’re running through our secure portal.
Trial Reservoirs Initiative continues to manage three evergreen funding pools:
- O Mudanças climáticas Reservatório de teste, supporting technologies that reduce emissions and enhance resilience across water systems.
- O Advanced & Industrial Trial Reservoir, focused on resource recovery, emerging contaminants, decentralisation, and circular economy approaches.
- O Reservatório de teste da US Utilities, supporting trials in underserved or underrepresented communities across the United States.
Our model remains the same, with tech vendors paying for successful trials along with modest interest and cost recovery to maintain the reservoir funds and cover overheads. If the trial fails, there’s no repayment required.
What comes next?
Now that this structural shift is in place, we’re ready to scale. If you’re a funder, partner, utility or technology innovator, now is the time to act.
Water still lacks the urgency it deserves on the global stage. The climate crisis is already here. Every delay in trialling proven water solutions is a cost the world can’t afford. We’re proud of the progress we’ve made over the last three years, and we’re more determined than ever to scale it.
Water can’t wait— and neither will we.
More information
Interested in learning more about The Trial Reservoir Initiative, or thinking about sponsoring or running your own trial? Get in touch with Dr Jo Burgess at [email protected] or visit https://isleutilities.com/trial-reservoirs/ para obter mais informações.
Learn about some of our successful trials to date:
Pulp & paper mill effluent cleanup: Bioaugmentation system cut treated chemical oxygen demand COD by over 30% in six months at Canada’s zero liquid discharge pulp and paper mill, enabling uninterrupted water reuse.
Sustainable sludge management: Energy efficient technique reduced sludge for disposal, halving tanker trips and cutting 120 tonnes of CO₂ emissions annually the UK.
Low-energy irrigation water treatment: Magnetic particle system removed contaminants and reduced energy use by up to 50%, outperforming traditional reverse‑osmosis in a commercial farm trial in the USA.
Low-flush sanitation: Nature-inspired toilets reduced water usage by 71% during a trial in Botswana, providing a more accessible hygiene solution to deprived areas.
Beverage manufacturing wastewater treatment: Vortex aeration technology cut energy consumption (by 30%) and reduced maintenance costs (by 90%) while significantly improving health & safety at a beverage manufacturing plant in Ireland.
Clean water access: Smart Taps in The Gambia delivered 1,400 litres of safe water daily while reducing carbon emissions and freeing time for education and work in rural communities.