Ofwat has confirmed that the Cheddar 2 Reservoir and Transfer solution in the RAPID programme should continue to receive development funding for gate C in the gated process, leading up to a conditional review point in February 2028.

Ofwat has agreed an increase of c £6 million in additional gate C development funding for the Poole Water Recycling and Transfer scheme. The solution owners, South West Water and Wessex Water, submitted their gate three reports and proposals on 30 January 2026 for assessment.

Ofwat has launched a consultation seeking views on its proposed decision to specify the White Horse Reservoir as a Specified Infrastructure Project and on its proposal to issue a Preparatory Works Notice to Thames Water in respect of the reservoir.

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.

Ofwat has announced the launch of a combined gated process to oversee, support and assess the delivery of large-scale water infrastructure projects for the Major Water Infrastructure Programme.

Southern Water has opened the market engagement process for the Hampshire Water Transfer and Water Recycling Project. The utility is seeking feedback in particular from investors, construction and operating and maintenance contractors and/or potential consortia (which may involve their wider supply chain) that may be interested in the project.

The Grand Union Canal Transfer (GUCT) is launching its Phase Two Public Consultation – the second phase will run from Wednesday 11th February to Thursday 2nd April, with communities along the scheme’s proposed route able to contribute their thoughts and opinions on how the scheme is progressing.

Global engineering and built environment consultancy Arup, together with whole-lifecycle engineering services provider Binnies, has been appointed by Southern Water to help deliver the planning phase of the Thames to Southern Transfer project (T2ST).

The Regulators’ Alliance for Progressing Infrastructure Development (RAPID) has published its draft decision proposing that the South East Strategic Reservoir Option (SESRO) solution should pass RAPID gate three, a significant milestone of the RAPID gated process indicating the project has reached an advanced level of maturity.