Morning, Friday, 24th April 2026
Online
This conference will assess latest developments, policy priorities and next steps for tackling water pollution in England, with discussion on the recently published Environmental Improvement Plan and Water White Paper, and taking place ahead of the forthcoming water Transition Plan and legislative reform.
It will be an opportunity for stakeholders and policymakers to examine ways forward for the management and regulation of water bodies and the water sector to improve water quality. Delegates will discuss recent and forthcoming regulatory reform, including new powers under the Water (Special Measures) Act 2025, proposals for enhanced economic and environmental regulation, expectations for a new single regulator and Water Ombudsman, and priorities for the forthcoming Transition Plan.
Strategy, coordination & delivery
The planned agenda will consider priorities for water management strategies and stakeholder roles and responsibilities. In light of the Environmental Improvement Plan and the white paper's emphasis on planning reform, areas for discussion include targets and criteria for environmental improvement, next steps for developing engagement, collaboration and the coordinated involvement of stakeholders, as well as approaches to supporting the achievement of on-time delivery.
National and regional responsibilities will be examined, including delivery of strategies at different scales, and the role of the forthcoming Regional Water Authorities. Principles arising from the Upper Costa Beck legal challenge will be discussed, alongside the OEP’s investigation into regulatory compliance and the NAO’s report on environmental regulation, looking at the way forward for implementation of the Water Framework Directive.
We expect a focus on River Basin Management Plans, including how best structure management plans in the context of resourcing constraints, and the role of data and digital systems in regulation.
Infrastructure & flooding
Following reports from the Independent Water Commission and NAO, alongside the white paper’s emphasis on ‘pre-pipe’ solutions and prevention, sessions will examine pathways for monitoring and upgrading water infrastructure in order to tackle sewage leaks, storm overflows, and other sources of pollution, as well as support for restoring the health of water bodies. Attendees will also assess new guidance for Sustainable Drainage Systems including how SuDS can be integrated into new and existing developments, and the role of nature-based solutions in managing runoff.
Funding
Strategic approaches to funding and investment will be discussed, including the delivery of Ofwat’s PR24 and the Water Industry National Environment Programme, reinvestment of funds raised from fines and penalties, and taking into account the possibility of extended producer responsibility, with consideration for balancing investment with customer affordability.
Pollution & agriculture
Further sessions will consider priorities for agricultural and land management in reducing water pollution. Frameworks for coordination will be discussed, looking at the roles of regulators, government authorities and land managers in reducing agricultural pollution. We expect discussion to draw on recent legal cases relating to agricultural responsibility, and progress towards national and international targets, with reference to the UK Pesticides National Working Plan and the Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants.
Overview of areas for discussion
- regulation: priorities for a new regulatory body and Transition Plan - clarifying responsibilities - strategies to address resource constraints - data and digital systems - role of a new Water Ombudsman
- monitoring and enforcement:
- transition to open monitoring - implementing digital transparency initiatives
- new penalty regimes under the Water (Special Measures) Act - implementation of Pollution Incident Reduction Plans - requirements for the new Performance Improvement Regime
- infrastructure: pathways for achieving ambitions to reduce storm overflows by 50% by 2030 - addressing failing assets - priorities for monitoring and data
- planning:
- coordinating national and regional strategies - designing and implementing Programme of Measures - implications for resource capacity
- Regional Water Authority design - coordination with local authorities and strategies
- coordinating between England and Wales
- funding and investment: priorities for WINEP - strategies for managing customer bill increases - attracting private investment - fines and levy reinvestment strategies - improving workforce and skills
- pollution management:
- agriculture responsibilities in reducing nutrient pollution - coordination with land managers
- potential extended producer responsibility for contaminants - pesticide risk reduction targets - reviewing sewage sludge spreading
- emerging contaminants: managing PFAS, microplastics, and other novel pollutants - addressing potential gaps in the Water Framework Directive for public health risks - innovation in capturing micropollutants
- Sustainable Drainage Systems: integration of updated SuDS national standards into new and existing developments - delays in Schedule 3 of the Flood and Water Management Act 2010
- nature-based solutions: role of wetlands, integrated pest management, and other natural approaches in pollution reduction and climate resilience
