What’s next in the UK water sector

Celebrate excellence in the UK water sector by nominating outstanding individuals and organisations for the 2026 Future Water Awards, recognising emerging talent, people, and above-and-beyond contributions.

UK Water Industry Research (UKWIR)’s Chemical Investigations Programme (CIP) represents the UK water industry’s most comprehensive scientific response to tackling chemical substances in the water environment.Through consistent monitoring, shared methods, and collaborative working, the programme is supporting greater transparency and earlier, better-informed action. It is a prime example of the system-wide, joined-up approach called for in the Government’s recent white paperon water sector reform.Findings from the CIP3 Trend Monitoring Project (2020-2025) showed downward trends in concentrations for all but one ofthe chemicals monitored including perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS) and lead. The report provides definitive evidence that national and international source control measures, such as product bans and phase-outs, alongside upgrades to the treatment process, are successfully reducing hazardous substances in water systems. 

New Environment Agency requirements on sewer overflow reporting are placing urgent pressure on water companies to better quantify and reduce groundwater infiltration in wastewater networks. In this article, Ryan Pearson, Head of Strategy at Metasphere (a Grundfos company), explains how high-quality data and advanced monitoring can help utilities meet new compliance requirements, reduce pollution events, and support lower-carbon, nature-based infrastructure solutions.

Regulation 4 and Regulation 31 are often referenced in UK water industry specifications, but their impact on manufacturers and the supply chain is far-reaching. In this article, Groundbreaker Systems explores how approvals such as WRAS, KIWA and NSF shape product design, testing and compliance. While rigorous and costly to achieve, these approvals provide vital assurance that materials and products used in water networks will protect drinking water quality and perform reliably for decades. Ultimately, compliance is not just about certification, it is about safeguarding the safety and resilience of the UK’s water infrastructure.

The UK government is moving toward a single construction regulator with sweeping authority over the entire construction products market. In this article, David Smoker, Chair of Future Water Association’s Standards and Regulations Group, examines the latest developments including the Single Construction Regulator Prospectus, PAS 2000, and the Construction Products Reform White Paper. The reforms, driven by lessons from the Grenfell Tower tragedy, will introduce stronger testing, certification, and transparency requirements across both buildings and civil engineering. For sectors such as water and infrastructure, this marks a significant shift in compliance expectations and regulatory oversight.

As the UK water sector moves into year two of AMP 8, the industry is facing increasing pressure from climate volatility, public scrutiny, and the rapid growth of digital infrastructure. With an expanded Ofwat Innovation Fund, utilities now have greater opportunity to accelerate solutions such as advanced leakage detection, nature-based treatment approaches, and smarter network management. At the same time, the rise of smart meters and real-time monitoring is generating vast amounts of data—bringing both powerful insights and new cyber security risks. To meet these challenges, the sector must prioritise asset health, predictive maintenance, interoperable systems, and strategic investment in high-impact projects that strengthen resilience across the UK’s critical water infrastructure.