Dr Steve Blockwell, Head of Investment Management at Northern Ireland Water, is warning that the wastewater system across Northern Ireland is under severe pressure and that years of under investment mean many assets are now operating beyond their intended capacity.

NI Water’s recently completed Foyle Street Network Upgrades recently received a BREEAM Infrastructure rating of ‘Very Good’, recognising the sustainability-led approach taken throughout the delivery of the essential £4.2 milion water and wastewater infrastructure upgrades on Foyle Street, followed by the reinstatement of the Foyle Street Car Park in Derry/Londonderry last year.

More than 30km of a new water pipeline have been constructed in the first phase of a major infrastructure investment to protect supplies for people in the North East.

With the conflict in the Middle East driving instability across global fuel markets, the government says it is taking action to strengthen Britain's long-term energy independence and deliver clean homegrown power by appointing a Lead Environmental Regulator for Sizewell C and Lighthouse Green Fuels.

Anglian Water has set out plans for its largest ever single year of investment, with £1.6 billion of improvements and maintenance set to be delivered across the East of England from April – the second year of AMP8.

The Institution of Civil Engineers (ICE) has highlighted Portsmouth Water’s Havant Thicket Reservoir project as an example of the water sector leading the way on the long-term collaboration required to meet the UK government’s hugely ambitious 10-year infrastructure strategy.

NI Water has announced new charges for the 2026/27 period for non-domestic customers - effective from 1st April 2026, water and sewerage charges are set to increase by 7.9% on average.

NI Water has outlined the scale of investment challenges facing water and wastewater infrastructure during a presentation to Lisburn and Castlereagh City Council.

Ahead of land, consent or even capital, it is the supply and treatment of water that is impacting the growth of housing, renewables and digital infrastructure in many areas. In an Expert Focus article for WaterBriefing, James Cattermole, ​​​​Partner - Infrastructures at Carter Jonas takes a look at water as a limiting factor on economic growth.

The Regulators’ Alliance for Progressing Infrastructure Development (RAPID) has confirmed that the Grand Union Canal Transfer and Minworth Water Recycling schemes have passed their RAPID gate three conditional review, and will now progress to RAPID gate four.