TO BE PUBLISHED November 2025
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Format: DOWNLOADABLE PDF
This conference will examine the future for water infrastructure in England and Wales, following the publication of the final report of the Independent Water Commission: review of the water sector, alongside developments in regulation and government strategy around finance, planning and infrastructure delivery.
Areas for discussion include the performance of water companies, the conditions for securing long-term investment and strengthening investor confidence, and the future for regulatory structures and coordination. Delegates will also consider the way forward for delivering new supply infrastructure, improving infrastructure resilience, and addressing issues around environmental impact, public trust, accountability, and affordability.
Regulatory reform, coordination & governance
The conference will bring together stakeholders and policymakers to examine recommendations from the Independent Water Commission’s final report, and the way forward for implementation.
We expect discussion to draw on recent findings from the Public Accounts Committee and National Audit Office, highlighting issues of coordination across regulators as well as gaps in understanding of asset condition, and the need for reform to support delivery and investment.
Further areas for consideration include how responsibilities might be reallocated during the move to a new regulator, and how the transition can be managed clearly and effectively. The conference will also examine strategic considerations for coordination between regulatory bodies and government, and what forms of oversight might be needed to effectively address challenges including climate risks, cyber threats, and the deterioration of ageing infrastructure.
Consumer protections & public trust
Delegates will assess what will be needed from proposed regulatory, planning, and legislative reforms to improve consumer protection and regain public trust in the water sector.
Funding & finance
Sessions in the agenda assess strategic options for tackling funding challenges and securing investment for infrastructure maintenance and delivery. Attendees will consider how conditions for sustained investment can be improved, including steps to support financial stability, and priorities for clear regulatory signals and strategic engagement from government.
Infrastructure renewal, planning & delivery
Further discussion will assess implications of Ofwat’s 2024 Price Review final determinations for the Asset Management Period 8 for infrastructure planning, delivery, and sector resilience. The sector’s response to heightened scrutiny of performance and delivery will be considered, with discussion on the conditions needed to support infrastructure ambitions amid tighter regulatory expectations and investor pressures.
Asset & water resource management
Delegates will consider what will be needed from immediate implementation of reforms if aims to improve transparency, strengthen resilience, and rebuild public trust are to be achieved. Workforce and supply chain capacity to deliver the Asset Management Period 8 programme will also be discussed, as well as how water infrastructure priorities can be integrated effectively with wider housing and planning policy.
Further sessions will assess findings and recommendations made in the Environment Agency’s National Framework for Water Resources 2025, looking at ways to sustainably manage water resources amid growing demands and estimated future shortfalls.
Additional areas for discussion
- strategy and governance:
- establishing a statutory 25‑year National Water Strategy with interim milestones - creation of regional planning authorities - consolidation into a new integrated regulator
- reforms to strengthen consumer protection, environmental standards, and investor trust
- regulatory coordination:
- Ofwat, the Environment Agency, and the Drinking Water Inspectorate - managing the transition to new regulatory structures
- understanding of asset condition - resilience, and role of standards and improved asset health data in long-term planning
- regulatory capacity and communication:
- capacity building in regulators for oversight of financial and environmental management
- improving regulator communication with consumers - transition of the Consumer Council for Water into a Water Ombudsman
- financing and investment signals:
- options for leveraging infrastructure and capital raising support from the Spending Review, Ten-Year Infrastructure Strategy, Mansion House Accord, and National Wealth Fund
- clarity in regulatory signals to support financial stability
- asset management delivery and innovation:
- implications of Price Review 2024 final determinations for Asset Management Period 8 investment priorities
- strengthened assurance and reporting requirements - alignment with innovation, digital transformation, and environmental compliance goals
- oversight of emerging challenges: measures to address issues in climate, cyber, and the deterioration of ageing infrastructure
- implementation next steps: smart metering and real-time spill monitoring to improve transparency, resilience, and public trust
- workforce and supply chain:
- securing capacity to deliver Asset Management Period 8 - workforce skills development and recruitment priorities following government support announcements
- integrating water infrastructure priorities with housing and planning policy
- regional water resilience:
- strategies for regional planning to enhance long-term water resilience - progress and prioritisation of Strategic Resource Options
- adaptive planning approaches - coordination with local plans and environmental protection policy
All delegates will be able to contribute to the output of the conference, which will be shared with parliamentary, ministerial, departmental and regulatory offices, and more widely. This includes the full proceedings and additional articles submitted by delegates.
