Ofwat has published a new paper setting out the 2025-26 delivery priorities for the Regulators’ Alliance for Progressing (water supply) Infrastructure Development (RAPID) which covers the period 1 April 2025 to 31 March 2026.
The RAPID forward programme fits within Ofwat’s 2025-26 forward programme and contains more detail about how the RAPID milestones will be delivered in that programme.
The first quarter will see the implementation of a new operating model for RAPID and environment planning, to improve ways of working and ensure outcomes maximise . The Directorate has two distinct parts – the cross-regulatory unit of RAPID, and environmental planning which incorporates both the Water resources and Environment teams.
RAPID’s five themes for 2025-26 are:
- developing a positive culture and driving performance;
- providing effective oversight of the strategic solutions;
- engaging people and organisations;
- achieving effective long-term water resources resilience through improved infrastructure planning;
- exploring and addressing regulatory and commercial opportunities, gaps and barriers.
Following the publication of the 2024 price review (PR24) final determinations, new solutions have added to the RAPID programme, including:
New strategic resource options such as Nottinghamshire Mine Water Treatment and Rudyard Reservoir Augmentation.
During the 2025-26 period RAPID will assess the gate three submissions for a number of solutions, including South East Strategic Reservoir Option, Minworth and Grand Union Canal. For solutions assessed in quarters 1 and 2, gate three decisions will be completed during 2025-26. RAPID will also have the first solution to submit the Development Consent Order planning application, Hampshire Water Transfer and Water Recycling.
RAPID has refined its supply chain and investor contact database – and intends to continue to engage with investors such as planning market engagement events.
In addition, it will continue to engage other interested stakeholders including government, campaigners and planning authorities.
“We will need to ensure there is high level backing from the government to provide a more enabling framework to deliver solutions”, the document says.
RAPID will continue to address gaps and barriers in:
- economic regulation;
- environmental regulation;
- drinking water quality regulation.
It will also contribute to broader thinking on industry and regulatory reform, including the ongoing Cunliffe review.
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