It’s an exciting time to be involved in water resources in the UK. In recognition of the considerable challenges that we will face in the future, the industry regulator Ofwat has made the biggest investment in infrastructure since privatisation, with £4 billion to boost water supply and £2 billion for Nature Based Solutions in the recently published draft determination for the period 2025-30. This includes funding for significant solutions to ensure long-term national resilience, security of supply for the future and lowering demand through unprecedented leakage reduction and smart meter installation programmes.



Stantec’s engagement with water resources planning initiatives across the UK and Ireland has grown significantly since 2020. This has included working on several Strategic Resource Option (SRO) investigations in England and Wales, Water Resource Management Plans (WRMPs), Drought Plans, and WINEP Water Resources schemes. Stantec will continue to focus on this in 2...