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Planning for the Future of England’s Water Resources
The scale of the challenge facing England’s water resources over the next 25 years is set out in the National Framework for Water Resources (published June 2025). By 2055, we will need to find around 5 billion extra litres of water every day to meet demand — the equivalent of more than 2,000 Olympic swimming pools — through a combination of reducing demand and developing new water supplies outlined in Water Resource Management Plans (WRMPs).
To protect the environment and secure reliable water supplies for people, businesses and nature, we need to act now. Water companies are developing future plans that consider a wide range of options capable of withstanding the challenges of a changing climate and growing population. These include both demand reduction measures and new water supply infrastructure.
After decades of underinvestment with no new reservoirs built for more than 30 years Ofwat allocated £469 million in PR19 to progress 17 nationally or regionally significant schemes known as Strategic Resource Options (SROs). In PR24, the programme expanded to 33 major projects, including new reservoirs, large water transfers, water recycling and desalination schemes, which are expected to be construction-ready by 2025–2030 and operational from the early 2030s.
SROs are being developed through a process overseen by the Regulators’ Alliance for Progressing Infrastructure Development (RAPID) — a partnership between Ofwat, the Drinking Water Inspectorate and the Environment Agency.
Our position statements on SROs can be found on this page with more being added through the year.
Planning for the Future of England’s Water Resources
The scale of the challenge facing England’s water resources over the next 25 years is set out in the National Framework for Water Resources (published June 2025). By 2055, we will need to find around 5 billion extra litres of water every day to meet demand — the equivalent of more than 2,000 Olympic swimming pools — through a combination of reducing demand and developing new water supplies outlined in Water Resource Management Plans (WRMPs).
To protect the environment and secure reliable water supplies for people, businesses and nature, we need to act now. Water companies are developing future plans that consider a wide range of options capable of withstanding the challenges of a changing climate and growing population. These include both demand reduction measures and new water supply infrastructure.
After decades of underinvestment with no new reservoirs built for more than 30 years Ofwat allocated £469 million in PR19 to progress 17 nationally or regionally significant schemes known as Strategic Resource Options (SROs). In PR24, the programme expanded to 33 major projects, including new reservoirs, large water transfers, water recycling and desalination schemes, which are expected to be construction-ready by 2025–2030 and operational from the early 2030s.
SROs are being developed through a process overseen by the Regulators’ Alliance for Progressing Infrastructure Development (RAPID) — a partnership between Ofwat, the Drinking Water Inspectorate and the Environment Agency.
Our position statements on SROs can be found on this page with more being added through the year.
