The five year mindset developed by the AMP framework needs to be changed for a much longer cycle, according to George Day, OFWAT’s head of capital maintenance.
“A 25-30 year look at supply and demand would be more appropriate, and we should also consider issues such as drainage, rather than treating water resource in isolation” he said during a conference on the impact of climate change on the water industry.
In terms of adapting to climate change, Mr Day indicated that the sector has a huge job ahead of it. OFWAT has asked industry to prepare long term, strategic direction policies, with a view to examining how society can adapt to climate change and how wetter winters and drier, hotter summers will stress both water supply and treatment infrastructures.
Britain has had its wettest winter since 1914 and experts agree that the peaks and troughs in water availability will continue to grow.
With the UK government demanding a 50% reduction in storm overflow spills by 2029, the era of reactive management is over. Speaking in the House of Commons on 21 July 2025, then environment secretary Steve Reed said, “This Government will cut water companies’ sewage pollution in half by the end of the decade.”
ERG, the leading supplier of odour control systems and industrial gas cleaning & thermal systems, has been awarded the coveted King’s Award for Enterprise.
Welsh Water’s new artificial intelligence-driven tool, ORAI, has been shortlisted for three categories at the prestigious British Data Awards 2026 – underscoring the company’s commitment to using cutting-edge technology to deliver better outcome for customers.
Barhale has completed work on two separate Rapid Action Taskforce Spills projects it is carrying out for Severn Trent.
Hear how Scottish Water has completed its £235 million Ayrshire Glasgow Resilience Project - customers across Greater Glasgow, Ayrshire and East Renfrewshire will now benefit from a more secure and resilient water supply.
Hear how United Utilities is accelerating its investment to reduce spills from storm overflows across the Northwest.
Find out more about the remarkable career opportunities on offer at WSP - scroll down to watch the inspirational video.