Ofwat is consulting on the future role of the Regulators’ Alliance for Progressing Infrastructure Development (RAPID) in delivering major water infrastructure projects in England. The consultation responds to Recommendation 75 of the Independent Water Commission’s 2025 report and the government’s January 2026 white paper title ‘A New Vision for Water.’ It seeks views on expanding RAPID’s remit beyond water supply to wastewater and other strategically important projects, the criteria for RAPID’s oversight, how RAPID should align with planning and procurement processes to reduce delays and duplication and its delivery role alongside new regional water planning arrangements. The consultation closes on 21 July 2026.

Ofwat has launched a consultation on the implementation of the Outturn Adjustment Mechanism (OAM) as part of the PR24 price control framework. The consultation seeks views from stakeholders on how the OAM should operate, including its implementation, calculation methodology and governance arrangements. The mechanism is intended to protect customers and water companies in England and Wales by allowing adjustments where actual performance differs significantly from regulatory assumptions. The consultation will run until 10 September 2026.

Ofwat has published a consultation on its proposed decision to amend the Customer Protection Code of Practice (CPCoP) by transferring non-price customer protections from the Retail Exit Code (REC). The proposals would extend the 'no worse off' condition to Group One customers on default schemes and introduce a revised approach to assessing customer detriment. The changes are intended to improve consistency in customer protections, reduce regulatory complexity and provide retailers with greater flexibility when amending non-price terms. The consultation closes on 18 November 2026. Ofwat intends to publish the decision on revisions to REC protections in late November or early December 2026.

Ofwat has launched a consultation on a proposal to impose a fine of £22m on South East Water Limited for multiple water supply disruptions in Kent and Sussex between 2020–23. An investigation found that the company failed to maintain supply system resilience to minimise incidents and neglected to plan for sufficient headromm during periods of high demand. Additionally, South East Water did not adequately maintain key infrastructure, including service reservoirs, boreholes and major pipes. Ofwat states that the proposed fine reflects the seriousness of these failures and their impact on customers. The consultation closes on 13 April 2026.

Ofwat has launched a consultation proposing changes to the regulatory accounting guidelines (RAGs) that govern companies’ annual performance reports (APRs) from 2025–26 onwards. Ofwat sets out revisions to ensure consistent, transparent reporting across the sector and to strengthen its ability to monitor delivery against the 2024 final determinations for the 2025–30 price control period. The proposals include updates to data tables, the removal of obsolete requirements and new expectations designed to reflect increased sector expenditure and the need for clearer scrutiny of company performance.

Ofwat has launched a consultation as part of its review of the Retail Exit Code (REC) regarding both price and non-price protections for business customers within the business retail market. The REC establishes safeguards for customers on default and deemed contracts, including provisions for those who may be less active or unable to fully engage with the market. This consultation invites feedback on proposed changes to these protections, ensuring they remain effective, proportionate, and appropriate as the market evolves. The consultation will close on 14 August 2026.

Ofwat has launched two consultations relating to sewer flooding. The first consultation proposes draft guidance on how water and wastewater companies should apply Licence Condition G (the customer-focused licence condition). It introduces ten minimum expectations with consultation questions regarding: (1) common definitions; (2) end-to-end customer journey management; (3) proactive and tailored communications; (4) response times; (5) clean-up services; (6) proactive identification of customers at high risk of harm; (7) a five-year definition of repeat incidents; (8) tailored support for vulnerable customers; (9) governance and accountability and (10) continuous improvement. The guidance is aimed at water and wastewater companies, customer service directors and consumer bodies. This consultation closes on 21 September 2026. The second consultation proposes updated enforcement guidance under section 94 of the Water Industry Act 1991 (WIA 1991), replacing a 2006 letter to regulatory directors. It sets out how Ofwat will assess whether sewerage undertakers have complied with their duty to effectually drain their area, considering factors such as root cause, asset condition, weather and cost and how Ofwat will exercise enforcement powers under WIA 1991, ss 18, 22A. This consultation closes on 10 August 2026.

Ofwat has launched a consultation on the introduction of an updated governance code for the water sector. Ofwat seeks views on proposals including a formal definition of independence for independent non-executive directors (INEDs), restrictions on INEDs holding concurrent board positions within the same corporate group, prohibitions on future share allocations to INEDs, requirements for audit, remuneration and nomination committees not to serve the boards of other companies and a requirement for water company boards to comprise a greater proportion of INEDs, with a proposed implementation date of 1 April 2028. The consultation closes on 10 September 2026.

Ofwat has launched a consultation under section 35C of the Water Industry Act 1991 proposing updates to the performance related executive pay (PRP) prohibition rule for water only companies (WOCs). The proposed changes would require WOCs to prohibit PRP where they have experienced one or more category 1 incidents affecting water, as reported by the Environment Agency, in the calendar year preceding the end of the PRP payment year. This would align WOCs with the existing requirements for water and sewerage companies in relation to category 1 pollution incidents. The consultation closes on 27 February 2026, with the proposed changes intended to apply to PRP payments relating to the 2026–27 financial year. Ofwat has confirmed that no other changes to the PRP rule are proposed as part of this consultation, and that a comprehensive review of the entire PRP rule is scheduled to commence in 2027.

Ofwat has launched a statutory consultation proposing amendments to its Wholesale Charging Rules and Charges Scheme Rules. These proposed changes are a response to Ofwat’s May 2026 conclusions on promoting water efficiency through wholesale charges for business users. The amendments are intended to come into effect in April 2027. The consultation will close on 30 July 2026.

Ofwat has confirmed enforcement packages totalling £86.8m against Anglian Water and South West Water for breaching legal obligations in their wastewater operations. Anglian Water will pay £62.8m, including £57m for flow management improvements and £5.8m for community projects. South West Water's £24m package includes £20m for reducing storm overflow spills. The regulators found both companies failed to adequately operate and maintain their wastewater assets. This forms part of Ofwat's broader 2025 enforcement actions, which have now reached £240m across five investigations into wastewater operations.

The Water Services Regulation Authority (Ofwat) has issued final rules for bulk charges for new appointments and variations applicable to English undertakers under sections 40E and 110F of the Water Industry Act 1991. The rules take effect from 1 April 2026, with certain provisions (rules 21, 23, 24 and 25) taking effect from 1 April 2027. The rules apply to incumbent English water companies providing bulk supply and discharge services to new appointment and variation sites approved on or after 1 April 2018 under consent or unserved criteria. Key provisions include mandatory adoption of a wholesale-minus approach requiring deduction of avoided costs from wholesale charges, consultation requirements for material changes to charges, charging principles emphasising fairness and cost-reflectivity, and publication requirements including bulk charges schedules by 1 February each year. The rules also establish board assurance statement requirements and specify that bulk charges should not penalise new appointees for promoting water efficiency. Ofwat received 14 responses to its September 2025 consultation and made refinements to the rules based on industry feedback. Common Terms and Worked Examples will be developed through an industry working group and remain advisory for 2026-27 charges before becoming mandatory from 1 April 2027.