What’s next in the UK water sector

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.

Steve Vick International (SVI) has launched a new website and fully integrated online shop, designed to improve the digital experience for customers and make accessing tools and solutions easier than ever. The new platform enhances navigation and brings together product information, downloadable resources, and instructional videos in one place. By moving more tools and services online, SVI is making it simpler for customers to research, select, and purchase products directly through the website.

Viking Johnson has unveiled EasiFit, a next-generation encapsulation collar designed to deliver rapid, safe, and permanent under-pressure pipeline repairs. Engineered to maintain supply continuity, EasiFit allows utilities to seal leaks and restore system integrity without shutdowns. With a large-cavity design, corrosion-resistant coating, and pressure ratings up to 32 bar, it offers a durable solution for both emergency repairs and planned maintenance across potable water and wastewater networks.

AUMA Actuators Limited has launched a new battery backup system designed to keep electric actuators operational during mains power loss. Engineered for critical infrastructure, the solution combines proven lead-acid battery technology, automated self-diagnostics, oversized capacity, and maintenance-free operation to deliver resilience, safety, and long-term reliability across water, energy, and process control environments.

The Government’s Water Sector White Paper marks a defining moment for industry reform, setting out a clear path toward a single integrated regulator and a new supervisory, delivery-focused model. In this CEO blog, Future Water reflects on what the reforms mean for regulation, resilience, transition risk, and how the Association will support the sector through the changes ahead.